What Third Sign Was Given?
When God called Moses at the burning bush, He equipped him with several miraculous signs to convince the Israelites that the God of their fathers had truly appeared to him. After giving Moses the first two signs—the staff turning into a serpent and the leprous hand—God introduced a third sign to ensure Israel would believe.
This third sign was both dramatic and symbolic, revealing God’s power over nature, nations, and judgment.
1. The Nature of the Third Sign
The third sign God gave Moses was:
Turning water from the Nile into blood
(Exodus 4:9)
God instructed Moses that if the Israelites still refused to believe the first two signs:
“You shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water you take from the Nile will become blood on the ground.”
— Exodus 4:9
This miracle would demonstrate unmistakably that Moses was acting under divine authority.
2. Why the Nile Water Turning to Blood Was Significant
A. The Nile Was Egypt’s Lifeline
The Nile was the center of Egypt’s agriculture, economy, religion, and daily life. For God to use it as a sign meant He was directly challenging:
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Egypt’s power
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Egypt’s gods
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Egypt’s source of life
This sign declared that God ruled over all nations and natural forces.
B. A Prelude to the First Plague
This third sign foreshadowed the first plague on Egypt (Exodus 7:14–24), where the entire river was turned to blood.
The sign given to Moses was a smaller preview of what God would later do on a national scale.
C. A Symbol of Judgment
Blood often symbolized both life and judgment in Scripture. The transformation of water to blood portrayed:
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The end of Egypt’s false security
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God’s sovereignty over creation
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A warning of coming judgments if Pharaoh resisted
3. How the Third Sign Completed the Set
God gave Moses three escalating signs, each stronger than the last:
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Staff to serpent – Demonstrates divine power and authority.
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Leprous hand – Shows God’s control over health and restoration.
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Nile water to blood – Displays God’s dominion over nations and nature.
This progression ensured that the Israelites would recognize Moses as God’s chosen messenger.
4. The Purpose of Multiple Signs
God told Moses that Israel might not believe the first sign, nor even the second, but:
“If they do not believe even these two signs… then take water from the Nile.”
This demonstrated:
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God’s patience
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His understanding of Israel’s doubts
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His determination to reassure His people fully
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His preparation of Moses for a difficult mission
The three signs together formed an unbreakable testimony.
Conclusion
The third sign God gave Moses—the turning of Nile water into blood—was a powerful declaration of divine authority. It symbolized God’s control over life, nature, and nations, and served as both reassurance for Israel and a warning of judgment to Egypt. This miracle completed the set of signs that equipped Moses for his calling and prepared him to stand before Pharaoh in God’s name.