Exodus 4:18-31 NKJV
8 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.”
19 Now the Lord said to Moses in Midian, “Go, return to Egypt; for all the men who sought your life are dead.” 20 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.
21 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. 22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Israel is My son, My firstborn. 23 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.” ’ ”
24 And it came to pass on the way, at the encampment, that the Lord met him and sought to kill him. 25 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!” 26 So He let him go. Then she said, “You are a husband of blood!”—because of the circumcision.
27 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. 28 So Moses told Aaron all the words of the Lord who had sent him, and all the signs which He had commanded him. 29 Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel. 30 And Aaron spoke all the words which the Lord had spoken to Moses. Then he did the signs in the sight of the people. 31 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 had received a divine commission from God, yet as he prepared to return to Egypt, uncertainty weighed on him. Despite God’s clear call, Moses asked his father-in-law, Jethro, for permission to go, saying, “Please let me go… and see whether they are still alive” (v.18). Although Moses knew God had sent him to deliver the Israelites, doubt still lingered, as if unsure whether God’s promises would unfold as planned. This is often the struggle of faith—knowing God’s word yet battling with our own limitations and fears.
God’s response to Moses’ uncertainties was immediate and direct. He reassured Moses that all those who sought his life in Egypt were dead (v.19), effectively removing one of the obstacles Moses may have feared. When God calls, He removes roadblocks. We are reminded that God’s timing is perfect and that His provision accompanies His commands. Moses took his wife and children and set out, holding onto the staff of God, a tangible reminder of the power and authority God had given him (v.20). In our own lives, God’s promises may seem distant, but He often places reminders in our hands—His Word, His Sacraments, His Spirit—to assure us He is with us.
A mysterious and challenging moment followed when the Lord sought to kill Moses (v.24). The reason was Moses’ failure to circumcise his son, an act of disobedience to God’s covenant with Abraham. Zipporah, Moses’ wife, intervened, circumcising their son and saying, “You are a husband of blood” (v.25). God’s grace is abundant, but He demands obedience. Before leading God’s people, Moses needed to submit fully to God’s Word.
With this act of obedience, the mission moved forward. Aaron met Moses in the wilderness, and together they embraced their calling (v.27). They returned to Egypt, gathered the elders, and as the people heard the Lord had seen their affliction, they bowed their heads and worshiped (v.31). God’s presence leads not only to deliverance but to worship. Let us pray: Heavenly Father, help us to trust Your Word, walk in obedience, and recognize the signs of Your presence with us. Strengthen our faith as we follow You, that we may lead others to worship You. Amen.