Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/175

 ground. He threw  it  upon  the  ground,  and  the  rod  was  turned into a serpent,  so  that  Moses  fled  from  it  in  terror.

But the  Lord  called  him  back,  saying:  “Take  it  by  the  tail.” Moses did  so,  and  the  serpent  became  again  a rod. The Lord told Moses  to  work  this  and  some  other  signs  before  the  Israelites, and  they  would  believe. But Moses  still  objected,  saying that he  was  not  eloquent,  but  that  his  speech  was  slow  and hesitating.

Then the  Lord  said  to  him:  “Who  made  man’s  mouth? Or, who  made  the  dumb  and  the  deaf,  the  seeing  and  the  blind? Did not  I? Go,  therefore,  and  I will  teach  thee,  what  thou  shalt speak.” Moses  answered :  “I  beseech  Thee,  Lord,  send  whom Thou wilt  send.” The  Lord,  being  angry  with  Moses,  said: “Aaron, thy  brother,  is  eloquent;  speak  to  him,  and  put  My words  into  his  mouth;  he  shall  speak,  in  thy  stead,  to  the people.” So  Moses  returned  to  Egypt;  and  Aaron,  his  brother, inspired by  the  Lord,  came  forth  to  meet  him.

Moses repeated  to  his  brother  all  the  words  of  the  Lord. Then they  went  together  to  assemble  the  children  of  Israel;  and Aaron spoke  to  them  that  the  Lord  had  looked  upon  their affliction. And Moses  wrought  the  sign  of  the  rod  and  other miracles, whereupon  the  people  believed ; and  falling  down,  they adored the  Lord.

The Attributes  of  God. This  story  reveals  God  to  us  in  a wonderful way. It shows  us  that:

I. God  is  eternal. “I  am  Who  am!”  God  exists  of  Himself. He has His  being  of  Himself. He is  Who  is,  and  was,  and  is  to  be.