Exodus 4

In Exodus 4, God continues His interaction with Moses, addressing Moses’ hesitations and concerns about his mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. God gives Moses miraculous signs to convince the Israelites and provides answers to his doubts. The chapter also introduces Aaron, who will assist Moses in his mission. The chapter shows Moses’ reluctance, God's patience, and the beginning of Moses’ return to Egypt to confront Pharaoh.

Exodus 4:1 (NKJV)
"Then Moses answered and said, 'But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you.’'"

Moses expresses doubt about the people's belief in his mission. He is concerned that the Israelites may not accept his authority or the message he carries. This shows Moses' insecurity and fear about whether people will recognize God's calling on his life. His question reflects the human tendency to doubt one's ability to fulfill God’s purpose, especially when faced with opposition or skepticism.

Exodus 4:2-4 (NKJV)
"So the Lord said to him, 'What is that in your hand?' He said, 'A rod.'
And He said, 'Cast it on the ground.' So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it.
Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Reach out your hand and take it by the tail' (and he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand),"

God responds to Moses’ doubt by giving him a tangible sign of divine power. The rod, an ordinary object, becomes a serpent when cast down, showing that God can work miracles through ordinary means. Moses' initial reaction of fear (fleeing from the serpent) reflects human frailty when faced with supernatural events. However, God commands Moses to grab the serpent, which requires courage, symbolizing the necessity of trust in God when facing challenges.

Exodus 4:5 (NKJV)
"that they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you."

This sign is given so that the Israelites may believe that Moses has truly been sent by the God of their ancestors. It connects Moses' mission with the covenant God made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, emphasizing the continuity of God's promises. This sign serves as a confirmation that Moses is not acting on his own but is under divine authority.

Exodus 4:6-7 (NKJV)
"Furthermore the Lord said to him, 'Now put your hand in your bosom.' And he put his hand in his bosom, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous, like snow.
And He said, 'Put your hand in your bosom again.' So he put his hand in his bosom again, and drew it out of his bosom, and behold, it was restored like his other flesh."

God provides a second sign, turning Moses’ hand leprous and then healing it. This miraculous transformation from health to disease and back demonstrates God's control over life, health, and death. Leprosy was a feared condition in ancient times, often associated with uncleanness and exclusion. By healing Moses, God illustrates His power to both afflict and restore, reassuring Moses and preparing him to face the skepticism of the Israelites.

Exodus 4:8-9 (NKJV)
"Then it will be, if they do not believe you, nor heed the message of the first sign, that they may believe the message of the latter sign.
And it shall be, if they do not believe even these two signs, or listen to your voice, that you shall take water from the river and pour it on the dry land. The water which you take from the river will become blood on the dry land."

God provides Moses with three signs in total, each more dramatic than the last. If the first two signs—the rod turning into a serpent and the leprous hand—are not enough to convince the Israelites, then the final sign, turning water into blood, will demonstrate God's serious intention. The transformation of water into blood foreshadows the first plague in Egypt and symbolizes God's power over life and death, as well as His impending judgment on Egypt.

Exodus 4:10-12 (NKJV)
"Then Moses said to the Lord, 'O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.'
So the Lord said to him, 'Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord?
Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.'"

Moses continues to express his inadequacies, this time focusing on his lack of eloquence. His fear of public speaking reflects a deeper insecurity about fulfilling the task God has given him. God’s response emphasizes His sovereignty as the Creator, reminding Moses that He controls human abilities and limitations. God reassures Moses that He will guide him, promising divine help in his speech. This exchange highlights how God equips those He calls, despite their personal weaknesses.

Exodus 4:13-14 (NKJV)
"But he said, 'O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.'
So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and He said: 'Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And look, he is also coming out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.'"

Despite God’s assurances, Moses pleads for someone else to be sent, displaying reluctance and lack of faith. This provokes God’s anger, as Moses’ repeated objections show resistance to God’s will. However, instead of punishing Moses, God offers Aaron, Moses’ brother, as a solution. Aaron’s inclusion shows God’s patience and willingness to accommodate human weakness, ensuring that Moses will have support on his mission.

Exodus 4:15-17 (NKJV)
"Now you shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth. And I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you shall do.
So he shall be your spokesman to the people. And he himself shall be as a mouth for you, and you shall be to him as God.
And you shall take this rod in your hand, with which you shall do the signs.'"

God sets the plan in motion: Moses will receive divine instructions and relay them to Aaron, who will act as the spokesperson. This arrangement demonstrates God's flexibility in working with human limitations. Moses is given a leadership role, with Aaron as his spokesperson, symbolizing the partnership between God's chosen leader and his supporters. The rod remains central to Moses’ mission, representing God's authority and power through miraculous signs.

Exodus 4:18 (NKJV)
"So Moses went and returned to Jethro his father-in-law, and said to him, 'Please let me go and return to my brethren who are in Egypt, and see whether they are still alive.' And Jethro said to Moses, 'Go in peace.'"

After his encounter with God, Moses seeks permission from his father-in-law, Jethro, to return to Egypt. Although Moses does not reveal God’s full plan to Jethro, he respectfully asks to leave and check on his people. Jethro, in turn, grants Moses permission to go in peace. This interaction shows Moses’ respect for family ties and his desire to depart in good terms, even as he prepares to embark on his divinely appointed mission.

Exodus 4:19-20 (NKJV)
"Now the Lord said to Moses in Midian, 'Go, return to Egypt; for all the men who sought your life are dead.'
Then Moses took his wife and his sons and set them on a donkey, and he returned to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the rod of God in his hand."

God reassures Moses that it is now safe to return to Egypt, as those who sought to kill him are dead. This assurance removes one of Moses’ fears, allowing him to focus on his mission. Moses then gathers his family and begins his journey, bringing his wife and sons with him. The rod, now called "the rod of God," symbolizes divine authority and will play a key role in the coming miracles and signs. Moses' obedience marks the start of his mission to free the Israelites.

Exodus 4:21 (NKJV)
"And the Lord said to Moses, 'When you go back to Egypt, see that you do all those wonders before Pharaoh which I have put in your hand. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.'"

When the Bible says that God will harden Pharaoh’s heart, it does not mean that God actively hardens his heart, leaving Pharaoh with no ability to choose. Instead, God ceases to work on Pharaoh’s heart through the conviction of the Holy Spirit. As a result, Pharaoh is left to his own flesh and sinful tendencies, which lead him to harden his heart and rebel against God. Pharaoh’s natural inclination toward pride and defiance is what drives him to resist God’s commands. By allowing Pharaoh to follow his own sinful nature, God’s purpose is fulfilled, as the plagues demonstrate His power and lead to the eventual deliverance of the Israelites.

Exodus 4:22-23 (NKJV)
"Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord: Israel is My son, My firstborn.
So I say to you, let My son go that he may serve Me. But if you refuse to let him go, indeed I will kill your son, your firstborn.’'"

God refers to the nation of Israel as His "firstborn son" to emphasize their special status and relationship with Him. In ancient times, the firstborn son held a place of honor, inheritance, and privilege within the family. By calling Israel His firstborn, God is declaring that Israel is His chosen people, set apart from other nations, with a unique role in His plan. This also carries a sense of ownership and protection—God views Israel as His own and is committed to their well-being and deliverance.

The contrast with Pharaoh's firstborn is significant. If Pharaoh refuses to release God's "firstborn" (Israel), the consequence will be the death of his own firstborn, symbolizing how Egypt’s defiance against God’s will and oppression of His people would lead to severe judgment. Thus, God’s designation of Israel as His firstborn son highlights both His deep love for Israel and the seriousness of His demand for their freedom.

Exodus 4:24-26 (NKJV)
"And it came to pass on the way, at the encampment, that the Lord met him and sought to kill him.
Then Zipporah took a sharp stone and cut off the foreskin of her son and cast it at Moses' feet, and said, 'Surely you are a husband of blood to me!'
So He let him go. Then she said, 'You are a husband of blood!'—because of the circumcision."

This passage can be puzzling, but its meaning becomes clearer when considering the context of circumcision. Circumcision was the covenant sign between God and His people, starting with Abraham (Genesis 17). By not circumcising his son, Moses had failed to uphold this important covenant. God sought to bring judgment on Moses for neglecting this crucial act, which was symbolic of being in covenant with God.

Zipporah, realizing the gravity of the situation, acted quickly by circumcising their son herself, thereby averting God's judgment on Moses. When she called Moses a "husband of blood," it likely reflects her frustration or even shock over the painful and urgent nature of the situation, since it was Moses' role as a leader of God's people to ensure the covenant was upheld. The phrase “husband of blood” might also express her understanding that Moses’ life was spared because of the blood of circumcision, thus linking Moses’ role as her husband with the life-saving act of shedding blood in obedience to God's covenant.

This event highlights the importance of obedience to God’s covenant and how serious it was for Moses to align himself fully with God's commands, especially before undertaking the mission of leading Israel.

Exodus 4:27-28 (NKJV)
"And the Lord said to Aaron, 'Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.' So he went and met him on the mountain of God, and kissed him.
So Moses told Aaron all the words of the Lord who had sent him, and all the signs which He had commanded him."

God calls Aaron to go and meet Moses, initiating the partnership between the two brothers in their mission. The meeting takes place at the mountain of God, a sacred place, and their reunion is marked with affection. Moses shares with Aaron all the details of his encounter with God, including the signs and instructions. This moment solidifies their unity and purpose as they prepare to confront Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

Exodus 4:29-31 (NKJV)
"Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel.
And Aaron spoke all the words which the Lord had spoken to Moses. Then he did the signs in the sight of the people.
So the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel and that He had looked on their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped."

Moses and Aaron meet with the elders of Israel, relaying God's message and performing the miraculous signs. Aaron, acting as the spokesperson, speaks the words of the Lord while Moses demonstrates the signs. The people believe the message and respond in faith, recognizing that God has seen their suffering and is about to deliver them. Their reaction of bowing and worshiping reflects their gratitude and reverence for God’s intervention, marking the beginning of their journey toward freedom.