Exodus 17:9

The rod of God.

Moses’ rod, the emblem of power and faith

I. The rod served to join man and God in the work of the Lord. At the one end, Faith; at the other, Almighty Power.

II. The rod served to increase the confidence of the people in their God, Success everywhere attended the rod.

III. The rod served to teach the people dependence upon God for their success in battle.

IV. The rod served to teach the people the need of holy and devout men. (Homilist.)

Man as a servant of God

The words (Exodus 4:17) lead us to contemplate man as a servant of God--a servant to promote the true progress of the race. They suggest four things which God requires man to do in this grand service.

I. To use the instrument most at his command,

II. To turn old things to new uses.

III. To aim at mighty ends by apparently insignificant means.

IV. To follow god’s will, rather than the dictates of our own wisdom. (Homilist.)

The old rod, or the inspiration of common ministries

Wondrous is one little line in the history:--“And thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go,” and afterward Moses, having spoken to Joshua, said, “I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.” Never forget the old rod, the old book, the old truth;--the sword that cut off the head of Goliath--“Give me that,” said David, “there is none like it.” Thus God hides inspiration in things of apparently little value, and touches the imagination and the faith by books, ministries, churches, altars, which we thought had passed away into desuetude, perhaps oblivion. Your first prayer may help you to-day. The faith of your youth may be the only thing to win the battle which now challenges your strength. One little hour with the old, old book may be all you need to obtain the sufficiency of light which will drive away the cloud of mystery and bring in the heaven of explanation. (J. Parker, D. D.)