Holy GroundSample

Day 4) What If I Fail?

Four Signs Of God’s Faithfulness

1) The Snake (Authority)

“The Lord told Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand and grab it by the tail.’ So he stretched out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand” (Ex. 4:3a)

Understandably, Moses vulnerably asks God what he is supposed to do if he fails to accomplish the mission God is calling him to. The first miracle God performs through Moses is the incredible transformation of his staff into a serpent and back again. The layers of meaning here are vast, but there are two primary applications that hold tremendous significance for him and for us. First, after Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, God says the following to the serpent who tempted them: “I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Genesis 3:15 CSB). God spoke of an offspring (Jesus) who would be born through the family line of the woman (Eve) who would be harmed by the serpent (the crucifixion), but who would ultimately deal a fatal blow to the serpent (the resurrection). Second, most historic depictions of Pharaoh show a serpent on his headdress. Whether we are talking about Pharaoh or Satan himself, God wants to make it clear that He has authority over them all!

2) The Hand (Healing)

“‘Put your hand back inside your cloak,’ he said. So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, it had again become like the rest of his skin.” (Ex. 4:7)

In this era, having a skin condition was as much a social problem as a physical one, shown by the fact that those with the ailment were often excluded from their families and friends. Despite the severity of the condition, God is making it clear to Moses that He is our healer (Isaiah 53:5). Even in moments when we don’t experience the fullness of healing on this side of eternity, we can rest assured that we will when heaven and earth become one.

3) The Blood (Life)

“...take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. The water you take from the Nile will become blood on the ground.” (Ex. 4:9b)

The Nile was essentially the “lifeblood” of Egypt, in the sense that everything in their society revolved around the river. Later, when God establishes the sacrificial system with Moses, He says: “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have appointed it to you to make atonement on the altar for your lives, since it is the lifeblood that makes atonement.” (Leviticus 17:11 CSB). The Israelites experienced temporary forgiveness through the sacrifice of animals, and this pointed to the eternal forgiveness we receive through the ultimate sacrifice—Jesus’ blood poured out on the cross (1 John 1:7).

4) The Brother (Community)

“You will speak with him [Aaron] and tell him what to say. I will help both you and him to speak and will teach you both what to do.” (Ex. 4:15)

Rather than giving up on Moses because of his lack of confidence, God places Aaron (Moses’ brother) at his side to help him accomplish the mission he was called to. Similarly, God places brothers and sisters in Christ alongside us to help us walk in purity and purpose. Who has God placed in your life that He is calling you to serve with?

Big Idea: When we are worried about failure, we must pause and remember God’s authority, His power to heal, the life He offers and the people He places in our lives!

Let’s Think About This:

Question 1) God-Given Authority: Can you think of an area of your life where the enemy has been attacking you and you need to be reminded of the authority you have as a follower of Jesus?

Question 2) Healing Our Pain: Can you think of an area of your life (whether physical, spiritual or emotional) where you are asking God to bring restoration, similar to how He did with Moses’ hand?

Question 3) He Is Our Only Hope: Why is it important to remember that true life can only be found in the blood of Jesus?

Question 4) Created For Community: Who has God placed in your life that He wants you to build community with and collaborate with to reach His people?

Question 5) Where Do We Go From Here?: What is the most significant takeaway you have from this bible study, and how will you apply it to your life in the days ahead?