Exodus 4:18-31 Study Questions: Moses Returns to Egypt

Exodus Study, Section 8: Moses Returns to Egypt – Exodus 4:18-31

Initial observation

1. Read Exodus 4:18-31 out loud in the group.

2. Underline or highlight frequently used words (or refer to your homework).

3. What words, phrases, or ideas make an impression on you?

4.  Let’s save the discussion of “Pharaoh’s hardened heart” for chapter 7.

5. Read and discuss the ‘newspaper reporter’ questions that the group wrote for homework.

In-depth Observation

6.  What does it mean when the Lord says “Israel is my firstborn son”?

7.  Who are the sons who are mentioned in this passage?

8.  In verses 24-26 (the circumcision) the text is not clear on who is being threatened – Moses or his son.  What is your interpretation?

9.  Write down the theme or topic of this section.

Interpretation and Application:

A. What do you learn about the nature of God from this passage?

B.  What do you learn about the other characters from this passage?

- Moses

- Aaron

- Zipporah

- Jethro

C.  What can we learn from this passage that applies to our own lives?

Vocabulary and notes

Verse 20 “sons”:  the birth of only one of Moses’ sons has been reported.  Apart from the episode in vv 24-26, Moses’ Midianite family plays no role in the Exodus story.

Verse 21 “but I will harden his heart”: In 3:19 the Lord says that Pharaoh will be stubborn, but here the Lord claims responsibility for “stiffening” the Egyptian’s will. (Harper-Collins Study Bible).

Verse 22: “Israel is my firstborn son.” The metaphor of Israel’s election as the Lord’s firstborn son (see Jer 31:9 and Hos 11:1) lends the tenth plague a quality of poetic justice.

Verse 23 “worship”: the same Hebrew verb as “to serve, work, act as a slave”.  The Hebrews are to be the Lord’s servants, not Pharaoh’s.

Verse 24: “The Lord met him and tried to kill him”: the text is not clear whether it was Moses or his son who was threatened.

Verse 25: “his legs” or “his feet” The text leaves us uncertain whether Moses’ or the son’s are meant.  Furthermore, “legs”/”feet” may be a euphemism for genitals.

In the context of Exodus the ritual blood produced by the circumcision protects against destructive divine power, like the blood of the Passover lamb.

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Homework:

Read Exodus chapter 5.  Underline or highlight frequently used words. Look up the meaning of any words you don’t know. Note which words, phrases, or ideas make an impression on you. 

Write down one ‘newspaper reporter’ type question or one in-depth question to discuss with the group next time.