What's In Your Hand?

Moses is tending sheep on Mount Horab and comes across a burning bush.  It captivates him as the shrub is not consumed by fire. God calls to Moses and asks him to approach the Pharaoh to obtain the release of the Israelites from Egyptian captivity.

God assures Moses that He will be with him.  But Moses begins a session of arguments

• Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh to release the Israelites?
• What if the people want to know Your name?
• What if the Israelites don't believe me?
• I am not a good speaker.
• And finally, not me God.  You've got the wrong guy.

Well, of course, God patiently (for a while, anyway) provides encouragement and answers to each of the concerns identified by Moses. At one point,

...the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?" "A staff,” he replied. Exodus 4:2

God then shows Moses how to use the staff to convince people to listen to him.