Exodus 4:6,7

Leprous as snow.

Leprosy as emblematical of doubt

I. That as leprosy was the worst disease that could have been permitted to the hand of Moses, so doubt of the divine word is the most hurtful that can overtake the human mind.

1. Both are small in their commencements.

2. Both are progressive in their developments.

3. Both are gloomy in their forebodings.

4. Both are isolating in their tendency.

5. Both are paralysing in their influence.

6. Both are deadly in their result.

II. That as leprosy comes upon men unexpectedly, so does doubt upon the human mind. The germ of scepticism often remains long concealed in the human mind; its workings are subtle, and we know not what will be the extent of its future harvest.

III. That as leprosy could only be removed. By the Divine touch, so human doubt can only be removed by communion with God. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)

Various suppositions as to the meaning of this miracle

1. Some give it a moral signification--as that the leprous hand of Moses showeth the works of the law that justifieth not.

2. Some give it a mystical signification--that the leprous hand of the synagogue of the Jews was cast off as the leprous person out of the house, and the hand restored betokeneth the Gentile Church adopted instead of the Jewish.

3. Some refer it to Christ, that He being the Hand, that is, the power of His Father, by taking our nature upon Him, became as it were leprous, that is, deformed, by His sufferings and passion, but by His resurrection and ascension His glory appeareth.

4. Some give it an historical signification--by the leprous hand they understand the miserable state of the Hebrews in the time of their cruel servitude, who in their deliverance received their former liberty.

5. Some think that the leprous hand signifieth the pollutions of Egypt, wherewith Israel was defiled, who being delivered were restored to the true worship of God.

6. That the first sending of Moses to the Israelites brought upon them more cruel treatment, but his after ministry brought them joy and deliverance.

7. That the hand being the instrument of working, betokeneth the ministry and authority of Moses, and that God would use a weak instrument to effect His will, Moses having lived a long time in banishment seemed a thing leprous and vile, yet God should in this His service make him a glorious vessel and instrument.

8. That as the leprosy is only cured by God, so their deliverance was only God’s work, and to humble Moses by the remembrance of his own infirmity.

9. As far as the intrinsic significancy of the sign is concerned, it was evidently calculated to teach that whatever is new, vigorous, vital, and flourishing, may at once be withered at the word of Omnipotence; and again with equal facility restored to its pristine condition. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)

Ability for God’s service

1. Human hands weak and unfit for service.

2. Sanctified power is only attained from God.

3. Hence the worker must be humble, but not impotent or paralytic in hand. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)

Soul-instruction

I. As undertaken by a Divine teacher. There are lessons for every man to learn, which heaven only can teach.

II. As employing the most impressive symbolism. The Divine teaching is always suggestive, never exhaustive.

III. As occupying but a short space of time. An eternal lesson may be learnt in a moment.

IV. As preparing for important duty. Divine instruction is never aimless. Designed not merely to make men clever, but to give them the power of moral emancipation. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)

The leprous hand restored

That which happened to the hand of Moses was a picture of what had happened, and was still to happen, to the people of Israel. By going down to Egypt, the Israelites had been preserved from the injurious influence of Canaanitish customs. Through the favour of the first Pharaohs, Egypt was undoubtedly a hiding-place, in which the family of Jacob had been cherished and preserved, when it was distressed both in body and mind. But there had been a change in both the men and the times, and Israel was enslaved, despised, and held in abomination in the land of Egypt. When Israel departed from Egypt, he was like a homeless leper. But Jehovah led him once more to a hiding-place, where he was cleansed from the leprosy which he had brought with him from Egypt, and where he was set apart as a holy people and a priestly nation (Exodus 19:6). It is very easy to explain why this sign was not exhibited before Pharaoh as well as the others (chap. 7.). The thing signified was of too internal and spiritual a nature, it was too closely connected with the counsel of God concerning His people to be appropriately displayed to Pharaoh. (J. H. Kurtz, D. D.)