God's Message To Pharaoh Series

Exodus 4:21-23

21 And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.

22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:

23 And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.

Introduction

This chapter is a continuation of the discourse that passed between God and Moses; and here Moses makes other objections to his mission; one is taken from the unbelief of the people of Israel, which is removed by giving him power to work miracles, by turning the rod in his hand into a serpent, and then into a rod again; and by putting his hand into his bosom at one time, when it became leprous, and again into the same place, when it became sound and whole, and by turning the water of the river into blood, Ex 4:1-9, another objection is formed from his want of eloquence, which is answered with an assurance, that God, that made man's mouth, would be with his mouth, and teach him what to say; and besides, Aaron his brother, who was an eloquent man, should be his spokesman, Ex 4:10-17 upon which he returned to Midian, and having obtained leave of his father-in-law to depart from thence, he took his wife and his sons, and returned to Egypt, Ex 4:18-20 at which time he received some fresh instructions from the Lord what he should do before Pharaoh, and what he should say unto him, Ex 4:21-23 then follows an account of what befell him by the way, because of the circumcision of his son, Ex 4:24-26 and the chapter is closed with an account of the meeting of Moses and Aaron, and of their gathering the elders of Israel together, to whom the commission of Moses was opened, and signs done before them, to which they gave credit, and expressed their joy and thankfulness, Ex 4:27-31.

Commentary

We were told in verse 18…

Moses obtains leave of his father-in-law to return to Egypt. His father-in-law had been kind to him when he was a stranger, and therefore he would not be so uncivil as to leave his family nor so unjust as to leave his service without giving him notice.

Note, The honor of being admitted into communion with God and being employed by/for him does not exempt us from the duties due to our families and callings in this world.

Moses said nothing to his father-in-law about the glorious manifestation of God that appeared to him. We are to be thankful to God for such favors but not boast of it before men. He receives further encouragement and directions from God in his work. After God had appeared to him in the burning bush to clear up an exchange of ideas, he often spoke to him with less overwhelming earnestness as there was occasion. And,

1. He assures Moses that the coasts are clear. Whatever new enemies he might make by undertaking this mission, his old enemies were all dead, all that sought his life (v. 19). Perhaps some secret fear of falling into their hands was at the bottom of Moses's backwardness1

2. To go to Egypt, though he was unwilling to admit it, instead, he pleaded unworthiness, insufficiency, poor pronunciation, etc.

Note that God knows all the temptations his people lie under and how to arm them against their secret fears (see Ps. 142:3).

3. He orders him to do the miracles, not only before the elders of Israel but before Pharaoh, v. 21. There were some alive perhaps in the court of Pharaoh who remembered Moses when he was the son of Pharaoh's daughter and had often called him a fool for deserting the honors of that relation. However, he is now sent back to court, clad with more extraordinary powers than Pharaoh's daughter could have advanced him to, so that it might appear he was no loser by his choice. This wonder-working rod did more to adorn the hand of Moses than the scepter of Egypt could have done.

Note, those who look with contempt upon worldly honors shall be recompensed with the honor from God, which is the actual honor.

4. That Pharaoh's stubbornness might be no surprise nor discouragement to him, and God tells him before that he would harden his heart. Pharaoh had hardened his own heart against the groans and cries of the oppressed Israelites and shut up the bowels of his compassion from them. In the way of righteous judgment, God hardens his heart against the conviction of the miracles and the terror of the plagues. Ministers must expect with many to labor in vain: we must not think it strange if we meet with those who will not be wrought upon by the most potent arguments and fairest reasonings, yet our judgment is with the Lord.