God commanded Moses to take to Egypt “this staff…with which you will perform the signs.” According to the Sages, this staff was created during twilight on the sixth day of Creation, and was passed on as a legacy from generation to generation, until it reached Yitro.

The staff that was created during twilight of the sixth day of Creation was given to Adam the first man in the Garden of Eden. Adam gave it to Hanokh, Hanokh gave it to Noah, Noah gave it to Shem, Shem gave it to Abraham, Abraham gave it to Isaac, Isaac gave it to Jacob, and Jacob took it down to Egypt and gave it to Joseph his son. When Joseph died, all his property was taken and placed in Pharaoh’s palace. Yitro was one of Pharaoh’s magicians, and he saw the staff and the markings that were on it indicating its power, and he coveted it. He took it, brought it to Midyan, and embedded it in the garden of his house…no man could approach it any longer [i.e., no one could remove it from the ground]. When Moses arrived at Yitro’s house, he entered the garden…. He saw the staff and read the markings that were on it, and he extended his hand and took it. Yitro saw Moses and said: This one is destined to redeem Israel from Egypt. Therefore, Yitro gave Moses his daughter Tzipora as a wife. (Pirkei deRabbi Eliezer 40)