2026.01.18. Sermon Notes. The Power of GOD Displayed Through a Willing Servant - Faith, Obedience, and Leadership Under GOD’s Call
Exodus 4:1–31
William Akehurst, HSWC
KEY WORDS: Obedience, Faith, Covenant, Holiness, Leadership, Weakness, Surrender, Deliverance, GOD’s Sovereignty
SCRIPTURES: Exodus 4:1-31, Exodus 3:10-14, Exodus 3:18, Genesis 17:9-14, Acts 7:22, Isaiah 6:1-8, Jeremiah 1:5-9, Philippians 2:5-11, Hebrews 11:23-29, 1 Timothy 3:2-5, Philippians 2:8
BIG IDEA
GOD reveals HIS power and holiness while patiently guiding and shaping HIS servant. Obedience, not eloquence or strength, is what GOD requires to accomplish HIS redemptive purpose. GOD works with imperfect people addressing fears and developing faith by encouraging obedience with available resources for HIS glory.
INTRO
Exodus 4 continues the divine commissioning that began in Exodus 3. Israel has cried out under the weight of slavery, and GOD’s response is not an army, not a strategy, but a man…Moses. Moses is now 80 years old. Once confident, educated, and powerful in Pharaoh’s court, he has spent forty years humbled as a shepherd in Midian.
This chapter reveals the tension between GOD’s patience and GOD’s holiness. The Lord reassures Moses with signs, provides help through Aaron, yet makes unmistakably clear that delayed obedience carries serious consequences.
Exodus 4 reminds us of a foundational truth:
GOD does not call the qualified; HE qualifies the called - but HE expects obedience.
Moses’ struggle is not ignorance of GOD’s power; it is fear shaped by past failure, rejection, and self-doubt. GOD patiently transforms hesitation into faith, excuses into obedience, and ordinary tools into instruments of divine power.
CONTEXT RECAP: GOD HAS ALREADY SPOKEN (Exodus 3:10–14)
Exodus 3:10-14
10 Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.”
11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”
12 So He said, “I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”
13 Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?”
14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you.’ ”
GOD has already promised Moses:
• “I will certainly be with you.”
• “They will heed your voice.”
• “I AM WHO I AM has sent you.”
Moses is not lacking revelation - he is wrestling with trust.
I. MOSES’ DOUBT AND THE DANGER OF SUPPOSITION (Exodus 4:1)
Exodus 4:1 Then Moses answered and said, “But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The LORD has not appeared to you.’ ”
“But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice…”
Moses’ second objection flows directly from his past rejection forty years earlier (Exodus 2). The word suppose reveals speculative fear - imagining negative outcomes despite GOD’s clear word.
GOD had already said in Exodus 3:18, “They will heed your voice.”
Exodus 3:18 Then they will heed your voice; and you shall come, you and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt; and you shall say to him, ‘The LORD God of the Hebrews has met with us; and now, please, let us go three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’
Supposition (supposing) contradicts promise. In other words, Doubts go against what God has promised.
POINT
Honest doubts may be brought to GOD, but lingering in fear after GOD has spoken leads to disobedience.
APPLICATION
How often do we stop short of obedience because of imagined outcomes? Many believers remain spectators rather than participants because they live in the word suppose instead of the word sent.
TRANSITION: Moses’ Concern: “They will not believe me nor heed my voice.” (v.1)
And GOD Responds…
II. GOD CONFIRMS HIS CALL WITH SIGNS (Exodus 4:2–9)
Exodus 4:2-9
2 So the LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?”
He said, “A rod.”
3 And He said, “Cast it on the ground.” So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. 4 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail” (and he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand), 5 “that they may believe that the LORD GOD of their fathers, the GOD of Abraham, the GOD of Isaac, and the GOD of Jacob, has appeared to you.”
6 Furthermore the LORD said to him, “Now put your hand in your bosom.” And he put his hand in his bosom, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous, like snow. 7 And He said, “Put your hand in your bosom again.” So he put his hand in his bosom again, and drew it out of his bosom, and behold, it was restored like his other flesh. 8 “Then it will be, if they do not believe you, nor heed the message of the first sign, that they may believe the message of the latter sign. 9 And it shall be, if they do not believe even these two signs, or listen to your voice, that you shall take water from the river and pour it on the dry land. The water which you take from the river will become blood on the dry land.”
GOD responds not with rebuke, but revelation in three signs:
1. THE ROD BECOMES A SERPENT (Exodus 4:2–5)
“What is that in your hand?”
“A rod.”
The shepherd’s staff - symbol of Moses’ ordinary life - becomes a serpent (nachash), a symbol of fear and Egyptian power.
GOD demonstrates authority over Egypt’s power and over fear itself.
When Moses obeys and takes it by the tail, it becomes a rod again.
SPIRITUAL PROGRESSION
1. Recognition – GOD identifies what Moses already has
2. Surrender – “Cast it on the ground”
3. Transformation – The rod becomes a serpent
4. Faith-filled obedience – Moses acts against instinct
5. Restoration – GOD returns it transformed
The “ROD” – Keep an eye on this rod, as it will continue to be displayed throughout this journey in Exodus.
POINT: What we surrender to GOD becomes an instrument of His power.
2. THE LEPROUS HAND (Exodus 4:6–7)
Leprosy (tzaraath) symbolized uncleanness and death.
Moses obeys - and things get worse before they get better. Continued obedience brings immediate restoration.
GOD shows His authority to both afflict and heal instantly.
POINT: GOD alone has power over life, death, and restoration.
PRINCIPLE: There is always a cross before a crown and death before resurrection.
3. WATER TURNED TO BLOOD (Exodus 4:8–9)
The Nile, Egypt’s lifeline, would become blood. This anticipates the first plague and declares judgment on false sources of life.
A prophetic sign anticipating the first plague.
Teaching: False gods, false securities, and false sources of life will fail when confronted by the ONE TRUE GOD.
III. INSECURITY AND GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY (Exodus 4:10–12)
Exodus 4:10-12
10 Then Moses said to the LORD, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”
11 So the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD? 12 Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.”
Moses objects again:
“O my Lord, I am not eloquent… but slow of speech.” Vs.10
Acts 7:22 tells us Moses was once “mighty in words and deeds.” Failure diminished Moses’ confidence, not GOD’s call.
GOD responds:
“Who has made man’s mouth?” vs. 11
• GOD claims sovereignty over human ability and limitation.
• GOD promises divine enablement, not human perfection.
MY HEBREW LEARNING
• Peh (mouth) - GOD governs speech and communication.
GOD claims sovereignty over speech, ability, and limitation.
POINT
GOD is not limited by our weaknesses; He works through them.
GOD does not call us because of our ability, and He is not hindered by our weakness.
IV. RESISTANCE, DIVINE ANGER, AND GRACIOUS PROVISION (Exodus 4:13–17)
Exodus 4:13-17
13 But he said, “O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.”
14 So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and He said: “Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And look, he is also coming out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 Now you shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth. And I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you shall do. 16 So he shall be your spokesman to the people. And he himself shall be as a mouth for you, and you shall be to him as GOD. 17 And you shall take this rod in your hand, with which you shall do the signs.”
Moses Pleads:
“O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.” (v.13)
• This is no longer humility - it is resistance or outright refusal
• GOD’s anger is kindled, yet He provides Aaron as spokesman.
PRINCIPLE
• GOD’s patience has limits
• Delayed obedience diminishes personal blessing
GOD’s work will go forward - but Moses loses the privilege of speaking.
CHRIST TYPOLOGY
Where Moses resisted, CHRIST obeyed fully:
Moses as deliverer points forward to CHRIST - the greater Deliverer - who never resisted the Father’s will.
“He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death.” (Phil. 2:8)
Philippians 2:7-8 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
V. OBEDIENCE BEGINS THE JOURNEY (Exodus 4:18–23)
Exodus 4:18-23
18 So Moses went and returned to Jethro his father-in-law, and said to him, “Please let me go and return to my brethren who are in Egypt, and see whether they are still alive.”
And Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace.”
19 Now the LORD said to Moses in Midian, “Go, return to Egypt; for all the men who sought your life are dead.” 20 Then Moses took his wife and his sons and set them on a donkey, and he returned to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the rod of GOD in his hand.
21 And the LORD said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do all those wonders before Pharaoh which I have put in your hand. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. 22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Israel is My son, My firstborn. 23 So I say to you, let My son go that he may serve Me. But if you refuse to let him go, indeed I will kill your son, your firstborn.” ’ ”
Moses returns to Jethro and departs for Egypt.
GOD reveals Pharaoh’s hardened heart.
Israel is declared GOD’s firstborn son. Vs. 22
POINT:
Redemption is rooted in covenant relationship.
GOD defends HIS people as a Father.
VI. A SOBERING ENCOUNTER: GOD’S HOLINESS (Exodus 4:24–26)
Exodus 4:24-26
24 And it came to pass on the way, at the encampment, that the LORD met him and sought to kill him. 25 Then Zipporah took a sharp stone and cut off the foreskin of her son and cast it at Moses’ feet, and said, “Surely you are a husband of blood to me!” 26 So He let him go. Then she said, “You are a husband of blood!” - because of the circumcision.
One of the most startling passages in Scripture:
“The LORD met him and sought to kill him.” (v.24)
• Moses had neglected circumcision – the covenant sign given to Abraham (Genesis 17)
• Zipporah intervenes, circumcising their son, saving Moses’ life.
HEBREW LEARNING
Chatan damim - “bridegroom of blood” “husband of blood”
This is covenant language.
PRINCIPLE: LEADERSHIP
• GOD’s servant must walk in covenant obedience.
• Calling does not excuse disobedience.
• “If a man does not know how to rule his own house…” (1 Tim. 3:5)
1 Timothy 3:5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);
VII. GOD WORKS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CALL (Exodus 4:27–31)
Exodus 4:27-31
27 And the LORD said to Aaron, “Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.” So he went and met him on the mountain of GOD, and kissed him. 28 So Moses told Aaron all the words of the LORD who had sent him, and all the signs which He had commanded him. 29 Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel. 30 And Aaron spoke all the words which the LORD had spoken to Moses. Then he did the signs in the sight of the people. 31 So the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel and that He had looked on their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped.
While GOD prepared Moses, He prepared Aaron. After forty years, they meet exactly as GOD planned. The signs are performed, the people believe, and they worship.
• Aaron meets Moses.
• The signs are performed.
• The people believe and worship.
“They bowed their heads and worshiped.” (v.31)
POINT:
When GOD’s Word is trusted, worship follows.
CONCLUSION
Exodus 4 teaches us that GOD does not seek perfection, confidence, or natural ability - HE seeks obedience. Faith grows when we stop supposing, surrender what is in our hands, obey even when it doesn’t make sense, and walk in covenant faithfulness.
ILLUS: A shepherd’s staff in GOD’s hand becomes an instrument of miracles. Likewise, surrendered lives - though flawed - become powerful testimonies when yielded to GOD.
REFLECTION & APPLICATION
1. What excuses am I offering GOD instead of obedience?
2. What has GOD placed in my hand that HE wants to use?
3. Am I walking in covenant faithfulness at home?
4. Do I trust GOD’s power more than my perceived limitations?
CHRIST-CENTERED CONNECTIONS
• Moses foreshadows CHRIST, the greater Deliverer
• Where Moses hesitated, CHRIST obeyed fully (Philippians 2:8)
Philippians 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
• The blood of circumcision points forward to the blood of CHRIST, sealing the New Covenant
OPEN DISCUSSION:
PRAYER
LORD, forgive us for our fear, reluctance, hesitation, and excuses. Teach us to trust YOUR Power rather than our weaknesses, YOUR WORD above our feelings. Shape our hearts, our homes, and our obedience in covenant faithfulness. Take what we place in YOUR Hands and use it for YOUR Glory. In JESUS’ Name, Amen.
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing,
Bill
HYMNS
•Trust and Obey
•Have Thine Own Way, Lord
•I Surrender All
