וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו ה' מַה זֶּה בְיָדֶךָ וַיֹּאמֶר מַטֶּה (ד, ב)
And Hashem said to him, “What is that in your hand?” And he said, “A stick.” (4:2)
Hashem Commanded Him to Lead With Gentleness and Humility:
The Chasam Sofer (Toras Moshe) explains that after Moshe consented against his will to do Hashem’s mission, Hashem asked him, “What is that in your hand?” His intent was to ask Moshe how he planned on leading the nation. What method of leadership would he use?
Moshe answered, “With the stick.” He was saying that he would lead the nation with strictness and firmness.
Hashem then told him to throw the stick to the ground. In other words, He told him to abandon this strategy because “it would be a snake.” He was saying that the people would be unable to tolerate strict leadership, and it would only lead to the type of problems that the snake symbolizes – strife, hatred, and rebellion.
The pasuk continues: “And Moshe fled from before it.” He abandoned this plan because he recognized how detrimental it would be.
Hashem then told Moshe: “Send out your hand and grab its tail.” He was telling him to grab onto the middah of humility, which is symbolized by a tail, and to lead the nation in a humble way.
The pasuk says that Moshe did grab the tail and it turned back into a stick in his hand. This indicates that through humble leadership, he would be able to rule firmly. Once a leader shows his love and compassion for his people, they will be able to accept his firm authority.
