Moses Returns to Egypt Under God’s Word

4:18 So Moses went back to his father-in-law Jethro and said to him, “Let me go, so that I may return to my relatives in Egypt and see if they are still alive.” Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace.” 4:19 The Lord said to Moses in Midian, “Go back to Egypt, because all the men who were seeking your life are dead.” 4:20 Then Moses took his wife and sons and put them on a donkey and headed back to the land of Egypt, and Moses took the staff of God in his hand. 4:21 The Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the wonders I have put under your control. But I will harden his heart and he will not let the people go. 4:22 You must say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Israel is my son, my firstborn, 4:23 and I said to you, ‘Let my son go that he may serve me,’ but since you have refused to let him go, I will surely kill your son, your firstborn!”’” 4:24 Now on the way, at a place where they stopped for the night, the Lord met Moses and sought to kill him. 4:25 But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off the foreskin of her son and touched it to Moses’ feet, and said, “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me.” 4:26 So the Lord let him alone. (At that time she said, “A bridegroom of blood,” referring to the circumcision.) 4:27 The Lord said to Aaron, “Go to the wilderness to meet Moses. So he went and met him at the mountain of God and greeted him with a kiss. 4:28 Moses told Aaron all the words of the Lord who had sent him and all the signs that he had commanded him. 4:29 Then Moses and Aaron went and brought together all the Israelite elders. 4:30 Aaron spoke all the words that the Lord had spoken to Moses and did the signs in the sight of the people, 4:31 and the people believed. When they heard that the Lord had attended to the Israelites and that he had seen their affliction, they bowed down close to the ground.

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

God sends Moses back to Egypt to face Pharaoh. The Lord warns that Pharaoh will resist, says Israel is his firstborn son, and shows that Moses must also honor the covenant sign. The passage ends with the people believing and bowing in worship when they hear that the Lord has seen their affliction.

Moses asks his father-in-law for permission to return to Egypt, and Jethro sends him away in peace. But the Lord has already told Moses to go back, because the men who wanted to kill him are dead. Moses takes his wife and sons with him, and he carries the staff of God. This shows that the mission belongs to the Lord, not to Moses’ own strength.

The Lord also tells Moses what will happen in Egypt. Moses must do the wonders God has given him, but Pharaoh will refuse to let Israel go. God says ahead of time that he will harden Pharaoh’s heart. Pharaoh’s resistance is part of God’s judgment and purpose.

The Lord then speaks of Israel in strong covenant words: Israel is his son, his firstborn. Because Pharaoh will not let God’s son go, the Lord warns that Egypt’s firstborn son will be struck. This points forward to the coming conflict in Egypt.

On the way, the Lord meets Moses and seeks to kill him. The passage is brief, but it appears that Moses had not properly kept the covenant sign of circumcision in his household. Zipporah quickly circumcises her son, and the threat stops. The point is clear: the Lord’s servant must not ignore the covenant sign given to Abraham. Even the deliverer must live under God’s covenant rule.

Then the Lord sends Aaron to meet Moses. They meet at the mountain of God, and Moses tells Aaron all that the Lord has said and all the signs he has given. After that, Moses and Aaron gather the elders of Israel. Aaron speaks the Lord’s words and shows the signs, and the people believe. When they hear that the Lord has seen their affliction and attended to them, they bow down and worship.

• God sends Moses back to Egypt by his word.
• Moses carries the staff of God, showing that the mission is from the Lord.
• God warns that Pharaoh will harden his heart and refuse to let Israel go.
• Israel is called God’s son, his firstborn.
• The threat against Egypt’s firstborn follows Pharaoh’s refusal to let God’s son go.
• Moses himself must not neglect the covenant sign of circumcision.
• Zipporah’s action stops the judgment.
• Aaron joins Moses in the mission.
• The elders hear the Lord’s words and see the signs.
• The people believe, and they worship when they hear that the Lord has seen their affliction.

• Go back to Egypt.
• Do before Pharaoh all the wonders God has put under Moses’ control.
• Pharaoh will not let the people go.
• Let my son go, that he may serve me.
• If Pharaoh refuses, the Lord will kill Egypt’s firstborn son.
• Do not neglect the covenant sign of circumcision.
• Hear that the Lord has attended to Israel.
• Trust the Lord who sees affliction.

This passage begins the move from promise to rescue. God is bringing Israel out of Egypt, keeping his covenant, and preparing the way for the exodus. The firstborn language ties the story to God’s claim on Israel, and the circumcision scene ties Moses back to the Abrahamic covenant sign.

God’s call should be obeyed fully, even when the path is hard. Those who serve God must also live under God’s covenant rule. The Lord sees affliction, and his people can trust that he has not forgotten them.

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