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"WHAT IS THAT IN THINE HAND?"

From the November 1958 issue of The Christian Science Journal


An artist's pen or brush conveys impressions by a few skillful strokes. Sometimes the focal point of a drawing is what the subject holds in his hand and the way he looks at it.

The Bible contains many verbal sketches. For example, Moses is carrying his rod or shepherd's staff as a matter of course when God asks him (Ex. 4:2), "What is that in thine hand?" We can be sure that the expression on Moses' face changes as God shows him some of the things he can do with his rod other than tend sheep. After the rod becomes a serpent, Moses' fear is overcome as he grasps the serpent by the tail, and it becomes a rod again in his hand.

In subsequent word pictures in Exodus, faith is increased as Moses stretches out his hand over the Red Sea, and it parts to let the children of Israel pass through; incredulity is repented of as water gushes from the rock which Moses strikes with his rod; confident strength emerges as he sits on the top of the hill with the rod in his hand while the battle with Amalek is waged and won.

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