Exodus 4

Exodus 4:18-31

The Beginning of Moses’ Public Ministry – Exodus 4:18-31 records the beginning of Moses’ public ministry towards the children of Israel. Aaron travelled into the wilderness and escorted his brother Moses to Egypt and introduced him to the Jewish elders. There Moses used his rod to perform signs that accompanied Aaron’s message to them, and the people believed. As Moses presented himself to Israel by coming out of the wilderness, he will depart into the wilderness to die in Deuteronomy 34:1-8. We can compare this event of Moses’ presentation to Israel to the presentation of Jesus Christ to the Jews at the beginning of His public ministry. Jesus also came from the wilderness and was water baptised, with the testimony of his cousin John the Baptist, accompanied by a miracle of God speaking audibly from Heaven. In fact, John the Baptist dwelt in the wilderness and presented himself to the Jews from this location. Exodus 4:18 — “Let me go, I pray thee” - Comments - Moses, by marriage, had become a son-in-law of Jethro. Thus, Moses entreated him in such a manner of respect. Exodus 4:19 — Comments – The Lord will make a similar statement to Joseph, telling him to return with Mary and Jesus to the land of Israel (Matthew 2:20). Matthew 2:20, “Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life.” Exodus 4:20 — “and Moses took the rod of God in his hand” – Comments - This rod was simply a wooden stick before Moses laid it before the Lord. Now, it has become a mighty instrument that will work signs and wonders, an instrument of judgment upon the nation of Egypt. It will be used to defeat the Amalekites, to part the Red Sea and to bring water out of a rock. It became the mighty rod of God. Exodus 4:24-26 — Comments - The Circumcision of Moses’ Son - Circumcision represents the removing of the fleshly, carnal nature of man. Zipporah understood this was the covenant of the God of the Israelites, thought she did not like having to circumcise her own child. She had the wisdom to do what Moses had failed to do. Moses was going to have to walk in the spirit and crucify flesh. Just as Eli had failed to discipline his sons and bring the judgment of God upon him, his sons and the nation of Israel, so had Moses failed to discipline himself and his sons in obeying the Abrahamic covenant of circumcision. It is interesting to compare the parallel story in The Book of Jubilees (48.2-3) which tells us that it was a demonic angel named Mastema who came against Moses to slay him. Exodus 4:24 — Word Study on “the Lord” – The Hebrew word “YHWH” (éäåä) (H3068) is translated “the Lord” throughout the Old Testament Exodus 4:24 — Comments - Note that the sin for not being circumcised was to be cut off from the people of Israel (Genesis 17:14). Genesis 17:14, “And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.” Exodus 4:27 And the LORD said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And he went, and met him in the mount of God, and kissed him. Exodus 4:27 — “And the LORD said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses” - Comments – Exodus 4:27 reveals the fact that Moses knew his biological family while being raised in the house of Pharaoh, for Aaron goes out to meet his brother Moses. Exodus 4:27 — “And he went, and met him in the mount of God, and kissed him” - Comments – The meeting place was Mount Sinai, to which Moses would bring the children of Israel after their Exodus from Egypt. Exodus 4:30-31 — Comments – The Purpose of Signs and Wonders - Signs are displayed and then faith follows. Israel received this good report. However, during the wilderness journey, when their circumstances required that they walk by faith, they went by sight, and not by faith.