MPV Commentary
Read the modernized Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary, aligned with each Bible book and chapter, in clear, updated English.
Currently viewing commentary for Exodus 4
Read the modernized Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary, aligned with each Bible book and chapter, in clear, updated English.
Currently viewing commentary for Exodus 4
1. Moses still had doubts about his divine mission and wondered if he could produce sufficient evidence to convince others.
2. The Lord asked him what was in his hand, drawing attention to a staff that Moses likely used as a shepherd's crook.
6. He was instructed to put his hand into his robe and take it out again, which would be the first miracle to demonstrate God's power.
9. Moses was then told to take some water from the Nile River, where he would perform two more miracles to confirm his mission.
10-13. Moses expressed concerns about his lack of eloquence in speaking Egyptian, but this objection was also overcome by God.
14. The Lord's anger was kindled against Moses because he had not yet accepted the call to lead Israel, and instead chose Aaron as his colleague.
18. Moses returned to Jethro to obtain his consent before leaving for Egypt, showing piety, humility, and prudence in not revealing the true purpose of his journey.
19. The Egyptian monarch's death removed any public threat against Moses, allowing him to safely return to Egypt.
20. He took his wife and sons with him on an ass, and they set out towards Egypt.
21-22. Moses took the rod of God, which would be used for future miracles, and arrived at a place where he could rest for the night.
24. The Lord met him there but sought to kill him, possibly due to his guilt over neglecting to circumcise one of his sons.
25. Zipporah intervened, performing the circumcision herself with a sharp flint, and then exclaimed that she had risked her child's life out of love for Moses.
26. After this ordeal, Moses recovered, and the experience would later influence him to emphasize the importance of circumcision in Israel.
27. Aaron met Moses on Mount Sinai after a 40-year separation, and they were reunited with affectionate greetings.
29-31. Moses and Aaron traveled towards Egypt together, while Zipporah and her sons returned home. They gathered all the elders of Israel, who believed Moses' message and received the news of his mission with joy and thanksgiving.