Exodus 14:16 “But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.”
Most people don’t think much about Moses’ rod. It was just a piece of wood, probably cut from some ordinary tree. There was nothing supernatural about it—no special carvings, no glowing light, nothing that would make you stop and stare. But when God got involved, that simple stick became one of the greatest tools of deliverance in history.
And that’s exactly how God works. He takes what seems ordinary and uses it for something extraordinary.
If God can use a rod, He can use you.
The Rod Was Just a Piece of Wood
The Bible never tells us what kind of tree Moses’ rod came from. Maybe it was an olive branch, maybe an acacia tree. It doesn’t really matter, because in the end, it was just wood. It had no power on its own.
But God chose it.
That rod became a sign of His power—turning into a serpent before Pharaoh, splitting the Red Sea, bringing water from a rock, and even being lifted in battle to ensure Israel’s victory. But the rod wasn’t the answer—God was. The rod was just a tool in the hands of the Almighty.
And here’s the truth: you don’t have to be special for God to use you. You just have to be available.
How Was the Rod Used?
God used Moses’ rod in incredible way.
1. Turned into a serpent – God showed His power over nature (Exodus 4:3).
2. Used to bring plagues on Egypt – It was stretched out in judgment (Exodus 7-10).
3. Parted the Red Sea – A sea obeyed when the rod was lifted (Exodus 14:16).
4. Brought water from the rock – A dry rock became a fountain (Exodus 17:6).
5. Lifted during battle – As long as it was raised, Israel prevailed (Exodus 17:11).
6. Confirmed leadership – Aaron’s rod budded to prove God’s choice (Numbers 17:8).
Every time the rod was used, it was because Moses was willing and obedient. That’s the real secret—God doesn’t need ability, He needs availability.
What We Must Be If We Want to Be Used Like That Rod
1. We Must Be Available
That rod was always where it needed to be. Moses carried it with him—it wasn’t hidden away, it wasn’t missing when it was needed. It was in his hand, ready to be used.
God won’t use someone who’s never there. He’s looking for people who are ready, present, and willing.
“Also I heard the voice of the LORD, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)
God didn’t ask for someone qualified. He asked for someone available.
2. We Must Be Moldable
That rod wasn’t always a rod. It started as part of a tree, rooted and growing. But for it to be useful, it had to be cut down, stripped, and shaped.
In the same way, God often has to remove things from our lives to make us usable. Sometimes He has to take us through hard times, cut away pride, and shape us into something better.
“But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” (Isaiah 64:8)
Clay in the potter’s hand is soft and willing to be shaped. A tree has to be cut and carved to become a rod. Are you willing to let God shape you?
3. We Must Be Humble
The rod itself was never the answer—it was God through the rod. If Moses had thought, “This rod is special! I’ll start using it for my own power,” it would have been useless.
We have to remember: we are nothing without God. If He does something through us, it’s because of Him, not us.
“God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” (James 4:6)
Moses never got the glory for what happened with the rod. God did. And that’s exactly how it should be.
4. We Must Be Obedient
The rod was only powerful when used the way God commanded. When Moses lifted it as God instructed, miracles happened. But when he struck the rock instead of speaking to it, he disobeyed—and that one act of disobedience cost him the Promised Land (Numbers 20:11-12).
“Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” (1 Samuel 15:22)
If we want God to use us, we can’t do things our own way. We must follow His instructions, not our own ideas.
God’s pattern hasn’t changed. In the New Testament, He still uses ordinary things and people:
• Jesus chose fishermen to be His disciples (Matthew 4:18-19).
• He used a boy’s lunch to feed thousands (John 6:9-11).
• He took a hated tax collector and made him an apostle (Matthew 9:9).
• He filled earthen vessels with His power (2 Corinthians 4:7).
It was never about their ability—just their willingness.
“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.” (1 Corinthians 1:26-27)
If you think you’re too ordinary to be used by God, think again. That’s exactly who He’s looking for.
When God first called Moses, He asked, “What is that in thine hand?” (Exodus 4:2).
Moses only had a rod—something small, unimpressive, and ordinary. But when surrendered to God, it became a tool of miracles.
So what’s in your hand? It may be simple. It may seem small. But in God’s hands, it can change lives.
The question isn’t whether God can use you—the question is whether you’ll let Him.
