Exodus 4:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Individuals often doubt the reality of miracles that have already occurred, so the Lord ensures they are safeguarded from such skepticism through their own responses. This was evident at the resurrection of Lazarus and in the experience of Moses. God asked Moses, “What is that in thy hand?” This was to remind him that he had previously held a rod, so when he witnessed the transformation of the serpent into a rod, he would be filled with wonder at the miracle. Because remarkable occurrences often overshadow prior circumstances, God prepared Moses by reminding him of his current situation. Thus, when he was later filled with awe, he would remain aware of what he had personally affirmed, enabling him to appreciate the magnitude of the miracle through the juxtaposition of his experiences.

To heighten his awareness of the divine power bestowed upon him, through the command of God, he encountered an event involving that which was in his possession. The event transpired as follows: when the staff slipped from his grasp, it was transformed and became a living being, specifically a serpent; yet once he reclaimed it, it reverted to its original form.

The inquiry posed to Moses serves to focus his attention on the item he possesses in his grasp. When responding, Moses, before witnessing the miraculous event, recognizes in his staff that it is the same one he had known and carried previously, both yesterday and on the third day. In the East, it was customary to carry staffs, and depictions of such can be found on artifacts from ancient Egypt. These staffs are typically slender, extending upward with a rounded tip, likely crafted from a species of the acacia plant (Colatea Haleppica), which is still used by the monks of Mount Sinai to create similar staffs.