Exodus 4:1
Exodus 4:11Then Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to my voice? For they may say, ‘The LORD has not appeared to you.’”
— "But Moses answered, 'Suppose they do not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, "Jehovah did not appear to you"'" — is not a frequent Watchtower proof-text. It enters the conversation only when JWs argue that Jehovah has always used an organisation to communicate truth, with Moses cited as a precedent for the Governing Body's authority.
introduces the pattern that disqualifies the Watchtower's appeal to it. Moses hesitates, and Jehovah's response is not "trust the structure" but "here are public signs" — the staff becoming a serpent (v.2-4), Moses's hand becoming leprous and restored (v.6-7), water turning to blood (v.9). God confirms his appointed messenger with verifiable signs that anyone present can see. The apostles received similar confirmation at Pentecost (Acts 2), and their teaching was tested by the Bereans against Scripture (). Every biblical authority God appointed was verified by external evidence and confirmed against the written word. The Governing Body performs no miracles, explicitly disclaims inspiration (February 2017 Watchtower, p. 26 — "neither inspired nor infallible, can err in doctrinal matters"), and has a documented record of failed predictions. The Moses parallel the Watchtower wants does not run: Moses had signs; the Governing Body has precedent. Those are not the same authority. — "we must obey God rather than men" — remains the operative text when a human authority contradicts or supplements Scripture.