"What is that in your hand?"

"1But Moses protested again, "What if they won't believe me or listen to me? What if they say, 'The lord never appeared to you'?"
2Then the Lord asked him, "What is that in your hand?" (Exodus 4:1-2, New Living Translation)

It was 430 years later after God's covenant promise to Abraham that He would lead his decesdants out of bondage (see Genesis 15:13) He appeared unto Moses in the flames of a burning bush. Whereby, He told Moses He is the God of his father Abraham, Issac and Jacob.

He told Moses He'd seen the oppression of the people in Egypt and heard their cries. Therefore He was sending him to Pharaoh to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt (Genesis 3:10). Of course, Moses protested to God his own inadequacies by saying "Who shall I say sent me" or "What if they don't believe or listen to me (Exodus 3:13 and Exodus 4:1 my paraphrase)."

God responded by saying "What is that in your hand? (Exodus 4:2-3)." Moses replied, "A shepherd's staff."

A shepherd staff is define as: a staff or club to make rest for the arms by placing the staff on the shoulders against the back of the neck.

When Moses protested against God by saying what if the people didn't believe it was He who sent him. He told Moses to take his shepherd staff with him and use it to perform the miraculous signs He had shown him (Exodus 4:17).

Therefore, the staff has a striking contrast with the personage of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. During an uprising in the Wilderness, Korah, Dathan, Abiram, the sons of Eliab and On incited a rebellion against Moses (See Numbers Chapter 16). Jealous of Moses leadership, they united against both Aaron and Moses saying"

3"You have gone too far! The whole community of Israel has been set apart by the Lord, and he is with all of us. What right do you have to act as though you are greater than the rest of the Lord's people (Numbers 16:3, New Living Translation)."

Of course the Lord settled the dispute, by asking Moses to gather twelve staffs, each one from the tribe of Israel with the leader's name written on it. He was to place each staff in the Tabernacle in front of the Ark containing the tablets of the Covenant. Whereas buds would blossom on the staff of the man He had chosen.

Now notice what happens in Numbers Chapter 17, verses 7-8:

7Moses placed the staffs in the Lord's presence in the Tabernacle of the Covenant.

8When he went into the Tabernacle of the Covenant the next day, he found that Aaron's staff, representing the tribe of Levi, had sprouted, budded, blossomed, and produced ripe almonds! (New Living Translation)

The rod or staff has a distinct typology with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Let's look at some examples:

1. Aaron's rod was wooden.

Wood symbolizes humanity. Jesus was a man.

2. Aaron's rod had to be crafted.

God prepared a body for Jesus.

3. The rod had been part of a living tree which had been cut down.

Jesus is a living branch, yet He was crucified.

4. Aaron's rod was nothing more than a dead piece of wood, laid in the presence of God, amongst other dead rods out of the sight of the people.

Jesus was dead and buried with the wicked. He was out of sight for three days and night, yet still He was very much alive.

5. Aaron's rod though dead, in the presence of God came back to life. It was bringing forth buds, blossoms and almonds even in the darkness.

Jesus was raised to life again. However, during the three days of His absence He was bringing forth fruit. Not only for those in Abraham's bosom, but, for those who would trust in Him for everlasting life.

6. Aaron was chosen by God as His high priest. The budding of the rod was shown openly, settling any futher disputes. Only Aaron's rod had received life after being dead.

God declared Jesus as His "only begotten Son." His death, burial and resurrection settled any dispute openly.

7. After Aaron's rod had been presented to the people openly, it was returned to the presence of God. This was a testimony that Aaron was the Priest.

After Christ resurrection, He too presented Himself to the people, prior to returning to the presence of His Father.

He is now the mediator between God and man. He is seated on the right hand of the Father and has all authority. The typology attest to the fact, that in this present time Jesus is the Living Word being sent by God to perform miracles. He is still the Rod of God to the Pharaohs' of this world. It is the same Pharaoh which sometimes resides in you and me. It is the Pharaoh of unbelief, doubt, fear, worry and anxiety.

We see Pharaoh when the troubles of this world rise against us with its mighty hand. We praise and glorify God, when His hand move in our lives, delivering us from the oppression of the evil slave master. Yet soon as the trouble rises again, we soon forget the miracle working power of His Rod. Instead of remembering what He brought us through, we become despondent, discouraged and disheartened. There are times when we ourselves, will harden our hearts against God liken unto Pharaoh.

I know, I've been there several times, myself. I've found that in the midst of the darkness I too, have failed to pick up my staff (the Word of God) and use it too perform miracles in my life. However, when I do pick up the Rod there are times, when I still can't see the blossoms of the almonds. It is then, I realize The Rod of God (or the Word of God), is my eternal source. It is power and protection from the wiles and tricks of the enemy.

Have you ever felt this way? If so, maybe He is saying to you what He said too me: "What is that in your hand?"