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Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you.’” 2 The Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.” 3 And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” So, he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. 4 But the Lord said to Moses, “Put out your hand and catch it by the tail”—so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand—5 “that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”
Moses was a shepherd for many years and his staff was very important to him. He used it to care for his sheep – guiding, directing, preparing a feeding pasture, and finding water. It was a means of protection from predators on his sheep and himself. It was his security on the hillsides and he was skilled in using it. So, when God commanded Moses to throw his staff to the ground, this must have been a difficult moment. What if it broke, was damaged, or splintered? He was releasing an important part of himself. But, he obeyed. He threw it down.
It struck the ground, not into pieces, but into a snake. How his heart must have been pounding. Then came another command, to pick up the snake. Moses staff returned to his hand. God told him his staff would be a sign God was always with him. The implement of his profession and his security returned. It would also be a sign to give to the people so they would believe God. Moses was to give freedom to God’s people through it.
What “staff” is in your “hand”? God has filled your life with talents to share with others. We have all been created with unique personalities, talents, spiritual gifts and a story. God has made you a new person through his son and given you spiritual gifts to benefit others. He has changed you and helped you to live. His love and care of you is your story. Be generous with your story, share your story, give others life with what God has given you. It is what you can pass on from generation to generation as the Psalms repeat. “I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore, nations will praise you forever and ever (Psalm 45:17). Let go, release the blessings God has given you by sharing yourself with others today.
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By Donna Burns
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