Scripture: Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, “Please let me go back to my brothers in Egypt to see whether they are still alive.” And Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace.” And the LORD said to Moses in Midian, “Go back to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life are dead.” So Moses took his wife and his sons and had them ride on a donkey, and went back to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the staff of God in his hand.
And the LORD said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD, Israel is my firstborn son, and I say to you, “Let my son go that he may serve me.” If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son.'”
Exodus 4:18-23 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, even though the Lord assured Moses that the nation would listen to him when he performed the miraculous signs, he questions God whether he chose the right man given his lack of eloquent speech. So, Yahweh confronts Moses about his self-doubt and reminds him that “I AM” alone creates humans with their senses of speech, hearing, and sight, and thus, he will guide and speak through Moses. Still, Moses pleads one more time to God to send someone else, which provokes the Lord’s anger. Nevertheless, Yahweh graciously reassures Moses that his brother Aaron will speak on Moses’ behalf. Moreover, the Lord will teach both men what to say. Finally, God lays out the chain of command: he will give Moses the words to say, Moses will instruct Aaron, and Aaron will speak to the nation.
Today’s reading continues the account of Moses’ encounter with Yahweh. Moses is ready to embark on his mission with the staff of God in hand (his only material weapon of warfare) and his family by his side. But first, he seeks Jethro’s permission, for which Jethro offers a blessing of peace. The Lord then further instructs Moses, reiterating three critical elements of the soon conflict:
- Perform all the miracles he has endowed on Moses.
- Remember that Pharaoh’s heart will harden.
- Say to Pharaoh, Yahweh declares that Israel is my firstborn son; let the nation go to serve me, or else I will kill your firstborn son.
Takeaway: Traveling from Sinai to Midian, Moses honors his father-in-law by courteously asking for permission to return with his wife and sons. While we do not learn of the second son until fourteen chapters later (18:4), most likely, Eliezer came into the world under peaceful times in Midian. Thus, for Jethro, this was a challenging decision that could result in never seeing his daughter and grandchildren again. Nevertheless, he made the right call, granting permission and offering a blessing.
As for the Lord’s instructions, as expected, each point centers on God taking the initiative. He has empowered Moses to perform miracles and will harden Pharaoh’s heart. And he motivated Pharaoh to let his people go to serve him. Moreover, the loss will be collateral, for the collective singular use of the pronoun “you” applies to Israel (God’s firstborn) and all firstborn Egyptian sons under Pharaoh’s rule.
Our takeaway? There are two. First, God initiates, and we execute. He will supply us with all we need to take on those who perpetrate evil. Still, we might ask, Why would a loving God harden anyone’s heart? Is this not a violation of our free will? Perhaps the better question is, why would a loving God allow humans bent on wounding and destroying those he loves to carry on their atrocities? Is it not unloving to permit senseless suffering and the loss of lives by those who exercise their free will? Moreover, Moses later writes that Pharaoh willfully hardened his heart with the first five plagues (7:13, 14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7, 34, 35). We only later read that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, starting with the sixth plague (9:12).
Thus, God is not hardening an innocent man’s will but one who is already arrogantly recalcitrant. Still, even if we find no argument satisfactory, Paul leaves us with closure to this discussion: But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? (Romans 9:20-21 ESV)
The second point is that when God calls us to a new life direction, we owe the courtesy of seeking the permission of those impacted by our decisions. And those in whom we seek permission owe us the courtesy of blessing God’s calling on our lives—no matter how painful it might be to let go of those we love.
Our part? Regarding the first point, it is not our place to stand in judgment of our Creator. Instead, we should express our gratitude that our good and gracious God initiates: he initiates our salvation from the ultimate Enemy who seeks to destroy our God-bearing image. And we must rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance and power to execute the battle plan against the forces of evil that linger in this post-resurrection age.
As for the second point, when we uproot our family to follow God’s calling, we must take the time to count the cost and have an open and honest dialogue that permits all impacted to voice their thoughts and concerns. If God is in the process, he will humbly confirm our calling through others’ blessings, confident that no matter what challenges we face, God will work out his purposes in the lives of all concerned.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, who poured out his life to free us from the bondage of sin that otherwise ravishes our lives. And we thank you for the Holy Spirit, who guides our thoughts to hear your good, pleasing, and perfect will. Still, we sometimes allow our ambitions or fears to cloud our discernment. So, please help us trust in and celebrate how you initiate and rely on your Holy Spirit to guide and empower us in executing your will to overcome evil, grow your kingdom, and glorify your name. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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