What Moses Teaches Us About Redemption, Authority, and the Call of God
“And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod. And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.”
— Exodus 4:2–3 (KJV)
There are moments in life when God asks us to look at what we’re holding—what we’ve carried, what we’ve walked with, what we’ve written our life upon—and surrender it.
For Moses, that moment came in the form of a simple question:
“What is that in thine hand?”
A rod.
Not just a stick—his life story.
📜 What Was the Rod?
In ancient Hebrew tradition, a shepherd’s rod was far more than a tool. It was a personal record—a diary of scars and carvings—marking life’s greatest moments, trials, and victories. It was a reminder of one's journey: survival, calling, and transformation.
Moses’ rod likely told the story of:
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A boy saved from slaughter (Exodus 2:3–10)
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A prince educated in all the wisdom of Egypt (Acts 7:22)
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A man exiled for defending his people (Exodus 2:11–15)
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A humble shepherd in Midian, tending flocks not his own (Exodus 3:1)
That same rod would soon part the Red Sea (Exodus 14:16), bring water from a rock (Exodus 17:5–6), and stretch toward heaven in battle (Exodus 17:11). It was the symbol of God’s authority flowing through a man once broken.
But first, it had to be thrown down.
🐍 From Rod to Serpent: The Pattern of God
When Moses obeyed and cast his rod to the ground, it became a serpent. What once signified authority now revealed the flesh. A serpent—a curse. It chased Moses, reminding him of the wilderness, the rejection, the failure, the isolation.
But God is a God of patterns.
This is not just Moses’ story—it’s ours.
“He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.”
— Psalm 103:7 (KJV)
Before God lifts what is in your hand, He may first command you to lay it down. Before your testimony becomes your tool, your past must be exposed, surrendered, and transformed.
🪓 The Rod in Modern Times: Our Testimony, Our Authority
Many today walk with rods that are either:
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Hidden in shame, or
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Lifted in pride, but untouched by God.
Like Moses, many of us have suffered, wandered, failed, and fallen. But those same failures, when surrendered to the Lord, can become instruments of power and deliverance. What chased us in the past can now be used to cast out serpents, divide Red Seas, and lead others to freedom.
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
— Proverbs 18:21 (KJV)
⚔️ Life and Death Are in Your Rod
In Acts, we see the early Church not only heal but confront:
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Ananias and Sapphira were struck dead for lying to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:1–11)
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Elymas the sorcerer was struck blind for opposing the gospel (Acts 13:8–11)
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Herod was struck down by an angel for his pride (Acts 12:21–23)
Why? Because a rod that only blesses, but never corrects, is unbalanced.
“Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand;
To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people.”
— Psalm 149:6–7 (KJV)
As believers, we must learn not only how to lift the rod in praise and healing—but also how to lay it down in warfare, when the Spirit leads. We bless those who curse us, yes, but we stand firm against demonic opposition.
🧱 You Must Have Walls to Build the House
The Church today loves to build. We love revival, healing, teaching. But where are the walls? Where is the judgment that begins in the house of God? (1 Peter 4:17)
We can’t have a garden without a fence.
We can’t have liberty without protection.
You cannot have the rod of Aaron without the snake that eats the others. (Exodus 7:10–12)
🙌 A Final Word on the Power of the Rod
God has given each of us a rod—your testimony, your authority in Christ, your gifting, your calling. But you must learn to:
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Throw it down when God says so
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Pick it up in power when God commands
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Lift it up in prayer, intercession, deliverance, and praise
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Defend the mission without apology
Whether your past includes abuse, addiction, prison, loss, or pain—when surrendered to Jesus, your rod becomes anointed.
✝️ Call to Repentance: Throw Down Your Rod
“Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”
— 1 Corinthians 9:16 (KJV)
If you’ve been walking without power, perhaps your rod is still in your hand—not laid at the feet of Jesus.
Throw it down.
If you've made idols of relationships, wealth, or status, and watched them crumble—God may be trying to get your attention.
Throw it down.
If the serpent of fear, shame, or compromise is chasing you—stop running. Face it. Confess it. Surrender it.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
— James 4:7 (KJV)
🔥 The Gospel: Pick Up New Life
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
— Romans 6:23 (KJV)
Jesus came so you could walk not just with a rod, but in resurrection power. He died, was buried, and rose again so that your broken story could become a weapon of victory.
To be saved:
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Admit your sin. (Romans 3:23)
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Believe in Jesus' death and resurrection. (Romans 10:9–10)
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Confess Him as Lord and walk in new life. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
If this blessed you, share it with someone who needs to lay down their past and pick up their divine calling.
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