Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - DETAILS

 DETAILS

There are many small details mentioned in the Bible which seem to be of little significance at first look. On closer examination though they may be of more consequence than originally thought, especially as referenced later in the New Testament after being mentioned firstly in the Old. One problem, however, may come from the fact that we don’t know the original Hebrew and the meanings hidden in that language.

For example, when God called to Moses from a flame of fire from the midst of a bush; he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed.

                                                    Then Moses said

I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.

(Exodus 3:2-3)

Now, according to some commentaries, the Hebrew word used to describe this bush means “to stick or prick” indicating that it was a thorn bush; the same type that provided the crown of thorns for Christ at the crucifixion. And the fact that it burned but was not consumed may also refer to Christ being wounded but not defeated. 

When God told Moses to cast his staff on the ground in Exodus 4:3, Moses…

…cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses fled from it. 

(Exodus 4:3)

Afterward, the Lord told him to 

“Reach out your hand and take it by the tail."

(Exodus 4:4)

Now this is probably the worst way to pick up a snake, and this snake was most likely a cobra. The snake, however, was the emblem of Pharaoh and also a great fear of Moses. But by doing this it meant that Moses had to face his greatest fear, and if he could face the snake, he could face Pharaoh. 

Christ also, as a human, had to face His greatest fear.

Father, if it is your will, take this cup away from me, 

(Luke 22:42)

[Then] being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. 

Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 

(Luke 22:44)

But because He was able to face and overcome this fear, He was able to deliver for us the salvation intended by God. It also infers that we may have to realize and conquer significant fear ourselves to remain dedicated to, and true to, our faith.

Even the word Pharaoh itself has a subtle meaning in that the Hebrew letters of the word “Pharaoh” can mean “evil speech” in any form including the anti-Semitic decrees by which the Egyptians enslaved and harmed the Israelites. Now, in the book of Exodus chapter 4 verses 6-8, God gave Moses another sign; that of the leprous hand. In the Torah, leprosy is believed to occur primarily as a result of evil speech and therefore this sign of the leprous hand was an indication that God:

would judge the pharaohs of Egypt who, in their pride and arrogance, 

thought they were semi-gods who could oppress and abuse the children of Israel.*

Therefore, the leprous hand was an indication of the forthcoming judgement of God; a sign that many today might well take into consideration in their present political dealings.

The subtleties in the Bible are something to be found and understood if the full meaning of Scripture is to be appreciated.

Just something more to think about.

*Mysteries of the Messiah by Rabbi Jason Sobel, pg. 87