Exodus 4:1-17

Exodus 4:11-12

From this week’s readings we have witnessed God see the affliction of the Israelites and share his action plan with Moses. In chapter 4, God equips Moses. God gives “power” to Moses to do miracles that demonstrate God’s power and authority (Exodus 4:21). God is pleased to use Moses because of his humility. Moses does not view these miracles as an opportunity to boast about himself. The focus of the encounters between God and Pharaoh was for God to exalt himself as the one and only true God. In ancient Egyptian culture, a Pharaoh would equate himself with being deity. Pharaoh believed he was a god himself and only recognized the gods that they believed in, such as the gods of fertility or the sun god. (We will dive deeper into the battle against the Egyptian gods when we read about each plague)

God commands Moses to say to Pharaoh


This language is one of authority, like a king speaking to an inferior. God not only is commanding Pharaoh to do something, thereby establishing His authority, He is also elevating the Israelites. God, the king, is giving the Israelites power and position as His “firstborn son”. The firstborn son was to be treated with the utmost respect. God then tells Pharaoh the consequences of not submitting and obeying. Just as we saw in chapter 3, God is not keeping His plan secret. He is making known what He will do and He does it.

God chose the Israelites to be his children. Just like Adam and Eve were his beloved children in the garden. Just like we are adopted and made children of God through Jesus. Even in between the fall of creation and the promised salvation through Jesus, the rhetoric hasn’t changed. The heart of God hasn’t changed. God is a loving parent longing to be back in relationship with His children. Let’s not miss this. God claimed the Israelites as children even before Jesus came. He elevated them above Pharaoh even though they were worshipping the same gods as the Egyptians. (Exodus 32) God could’ve just established himself. However, God also shows that everyone who devotes themselves to Him will be saved and exalted. God does the saving. God does the exalting. It’s a prideful, fruitless attempt when we try to do it ourselves. 

Let’s reflect on this desire that God has to be your Father and in relationship with you. 

Check out the following resources for a deeper understanding of this week's topics. You will need a RightNow Media account to view most of the videos shared. Click the title to reveal the video(s) associated with the series.

Click to create your FREE RightNow Media account