Exodus 4: 18-26

The story of God contemplating killing Moses in Exodus 4:18-26 is a story that is not prominently taught in churches, yet it is important to learn and understand. Whether taken allegorically or literally, the stories in God’s Word should be processed and wrestled through. Understanding the plot of the story and formulating a personal response are two components that are important when reading passages, such as in Exodus. First, the narrative begins with Moses desiring to return to Egypt to see his brothers. In order to do so, Moses asked Jethro for permission. Jethro responds by telling him to, “Go in peace” (Verse 18). Likewise, God gives Moses permission to go while in Midian through revealing that all of the people that once wanted to kill Moses are now all dead. Therefore, Moses traveled to Egypt with his family and the staff of God.

The narrative similarly reveals that God is the one who gave Pharaoh the hardened heart through the phrase, “But I will harden His heart, so that He will not let the people go” (Verse 21). All the while, God tells Moses to tell Pharaoh to let His people go. God instructs Moses to also tell Pharaoh that God’s people are his “firstborn son” that need to be freed so that they can serve Him. If Pharaoh refused, Moses threatened him that God would kill his firstborn son. Thirdly, while Moses was at a place to rest, God contemplated killing him. Then Ziporah circumcised her son and touched the skin to Moses’ feet so as to protect Moses. Speaking to God she says, “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me!” (Verse 25). Zipporah’s interjection persuaded God to keep Moses