The Miraculous Signs

To further impress the children of Israel, Moses was to perform miraculous wonders for them with his staff. It was the same staff that Adam had taken out of the Garden of Eden, and that had served Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It had the inscription of G-d's Holy Name on it.

Jethro had taken possession of this wonderful staff after Joseph's death. He planted it in his garden and since that time, no one had been able to pull it out of the earth, until Moses came and removed it easily, thus proving his just claim to its ownership.

Now G-d told Moses to throw this staff on the ground. Moses did so, and the staff turned into a serpent. Moses fled in terror, but G-d ordered him to grasp it by its tail: Moses did so, and the serpent changed back into a staff.

Then G-d bade Moses put his hand into his bosom. When Moses took it out, it was stricken with incurable leprosy. Then G-d bade him put his hand into his bosom again, and when he pulled it out, it was clean as before. Finally, G-d told Moses that if he were to pour water on dry land it would turn into blood. All these signs G-d gave to Moses to be able to impress upon the children of Israel that G-d had sent him to them.

Moses made a final attempt to be relieved of his mission, hoping that G-d Himself would bring about His people's salvation. "I am tongue-tied," Moses pleaded. But G-d told him that the One who gave the human being the ability to hear, see, and speak could surley remedy this handicap! He then told Moses that Aaron would serve as his spokesman.

Then G-d ordered Moses to return to Egypt, since there was no longer any danger for him there.