06. The Return of Moses to his people (Ex 4:18-31)

Moses returns to his own people. It demands the circumcision of his sons.

πŸ‘‰ Read Exodus 4:18-31

Moses told his father-in-law, “Let me return to my (                 ) in Egypt.” He returned to Egypt with his family and took (                    ) in his hand.”


Why would God kill the firstborn of Egypt? (22-23)


The Lord sought to kill Moses on the way because he had not (                ) his son.


What would the reason that people bowed down to the Lord be? (31)

 

Answers and Meditation

Relatives, the staff of God

 

Because Pharaoh would detain Israel, God’s firstborn

This is the first place in OT that God called Israel His son. Pharaoh acted against the Israelites and especially against male babies. The Lord wanted to punish Pharaoh by killing his firstborn.

 

Circumcised

Circumcision was the sign of God's chosen people, commanded to Abraham in Gen 17. Any man without circumcision will be cut off from Israel. Moses' not having his son circumcised implies that he alienated himself from the Lord's chosen people. 

According to the Mediante culture, they circumcised before one’s marriage, not right after birth which the Israelites did. Moses seemed conscious of his wife’s family and did not circumcise his sons.

God revealed Moses’ lack of faith at this moment when he was called to be the leader of the Israelites. Zipporah circumcised the son right away. And this tells the circumcision of the boy was an issue of family dispute.

We assume that Moses has sent his family back to Jethro’s house here. They will join Moses in chapter 18. Because of this separation, Moses’ family missed participating in God’s great salvation of Exodus.

 

They heard that the Lord had seen their affliction.

They heard the promise of Canaan, but as it passed many years under the oppression of Pharaoh and the Egyptians, they doubted and complained if God had forgotten them. At this time, all doubts disappeared, and they worshiped God with joy when the Lord said he had attended their suffering.

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