Exodus 4:18-31

Moses Returns to Egypt

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4:18 Then Moses departed and returned to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, “Please, let me go, that I may return to my brethren who are in Egypt, and see if they are still alive.” And Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace.”

 

19 Now the LORD said to Moses in Midian, “Go back to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life are dead.”

 

20 So Moses took his wife and his sons and mounted them on a donkey, and returned to the land of Egypt. Moses also took the staff of God in his hand.

 

21 The LORD said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders which I have put in your power; but I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.

 

22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Israel is My son, My firstborn.

 

23 So I said to you, ‘Let My son go that he may serve Me’; but you have refused to let him go. Behold, I will kill your son, your firstborn.”’”

 

24 Now it came about at the lodging place on the way that the LORD met him and sought to put him to death.

 

25 Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son’s foreskin and threw it at Moses’ feet, and she said, “You are indeed a bridegroom of blood to me.”

 

26 So He let him alone. At that time she said, “You are a bridegroom of blood”—because of the circumcision.

 

27 Now the LORD said to Aaron, “Go to meet Moses in the wilderness.” So he went and met him at the mountain of God and kissed him.

 

28 Moses told Aaron all the words of the LORD with which He had sent him, and all the signs that He had commanded him to do.

 

29 Then Moses and Aaron went and assembled all the elders of the sons of Israel;

 

30 and Aaron spoke all the words which the LORD had spoken to Moses. He then performed the signs in the sight of the people.

 

31 So the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD was concerned about the sons of Israel and that He had seen their affliction, then they bowed low and worshiped.

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This is the Word of the Lord ... It is meant to change the way we think, and the way we live.

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Commentary by Bob Pardue

Moses Finds Security in His Staff

Not Quite the Movie Version

While growing up, my daughter watched the movie; "The Ten Commandments" starring Charleton Heston so many times she nearly wore out the tape (back in the days of VHS). So, I've almost memorized many parts of the movie but don't remember seeing much about the verses above.

The Staff of Moses

Moses' staff represented the challenge he faced and the power of God which gave him a feeling of security in facing this insurmountable task. He was just as afraid as we would be if asked to face an oppressive government or to fight in a war. God had promised that the staff would perform miracles so Moses used it to assure him that God was walking with him to Egypt.

Our "Security Blanket"

Christians have the assurance of Jesus Christ and the inward gift of the Holy Spirit to assure them in times of trouble or needs. Don't discount the power of God when facing hardship.

Moses was just an ordinary man commanded by God to do extraordinary things. Was he up to the task of facing Pharaoh? Are we? God may just place a staff in our hands today to face a challenge or to change the world. Wow!

Love in Christ

- Bob

Exodus 1:1-8-2:1-10 - Moses is Born