9 THE RETURN

In this lesson Moses receives permission from his father-in-law to return into Egypt. His father-in-law had been kind to him when he was a stranger, and he would not be so impolite as to leave his family, nor so unjust as to leave his service, without conferring with him. The honor of being admitted into communion with God, and of being employed for Him, does not excuse us from natural responsibilities to our families and relatives. The narrative says nothing about Moses explaining that God had given him a supernatural revelation at a bush. Favors like this revelation cause us to be thankful to God, not boastful toward man.

Moses then receives further encouragements and directions from God in his work. After God had appeared to him in the bush to establish communication, it should seem, He often spoke to him, as needed, with less surprise than at the bush. God assures Moses that the coasts were clear in Egypt. Whatever new enemies he might make by his undertaking, his old enemies were now dead. “Now the Lord had said to Moses in Midian, ‘Go back to Egypt, for all those who wanted to kill you are dead’”(19). Perhaps some secret fear of falling into the Egyptians’ hands was behind Moses’ hesitation to return to Egypt. Though Moses pleaded unworthiness, personal insufficiency, lack of verbal skills as his reason for hesitating yet there may have been other deeper personal reasons. God knows all the temptations under which His people struggle and how to strengthen them against their secret fears as indicated in Psalm 142:3. “When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way. In the path where I walk people have hidden a snare for me.” God also instructs Moses to do the miracles, not only before the elders of Israel, but also before Pharaoh. God explains His plan to His prophets as Amos 3:7 says, “Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.” So Moses was not caught off guard. “The Lord said to Moses, ‘When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go’” (21). It is possible that there were some alive in the court of Pharaoh who remembered Moses when he was the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. Perhaps they had many times called him a fool for deserting the honor of that position, but he is now sent back to court, equipped with greater powers than Pharaoh’s daughter could have ever given him. It will now be clear that he was no loser by his choice. His wonder-working rod did more to decorate the hand of Moses than the scepter of Egypt could have. Those who look with contempt on worldly honors will be rewarded with honor that comes from God, which is true honor.  Now, Pharaoh’s obstinacy will be no surprise nor discouragement to him because God tells him beforehand that He would harden his heart. Pharaoh had hardened his own heart against the groans and cries of the oppressed Israelites, and had shown no compassion for them, so now, God, in righteous judgment, hardens Pharaoh’s heart against the otherwise persuasive effect of the miracles and the terror of the plagues. Ministers must expect to labour in vain with some: we must not think it strange if we meet with those who will not be persuaded even by the strongest arguments and fairest reasonings.

Words are put into Moses’ mouth with which to address Pharaoh, “Then say to Pharaoh, ‘This is what the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son, and I told you, “Let my son go, so he may worship me.” But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son’”” (22-23). God had promised him “Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.””  He must let Pharaoh know Israel’s special relationship with God, and God’s concern for Israel. “Israel is my firstborn son. . . ” honorable, and dear to me, not to be insulted and abused. Moses was to demand a release for them: Let my son go; not only my servant whom you have no right to detain, but my son for whose liberty and honor I am very jealous. As Malachi says, ““On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him” (Malachi 3:17). It is my son, my son that serves me, and therefore must be spared, must be pleaded for. Moses also is to threaten Pharaoh with the death of the first-born of Egypt, in case of a refusal: “you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son.” Whatever a person sows that will he also reap.

Moses prepares himself and his family to set out in obedience. When God had assured him that the men were dead who had sought his life, immediately the narrative says, “So Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey and started back to Egypt. And he took the staff of God in his hand.” Though human weakness or neglect may resist God and the work to which He calls us, yet grace will get the upper hand, and will help us be obedient to the heavenly vision.

Moses is going to Egypt, and we are told, how God met him in anger. This is a difficult part of the story as a righteous God requires obedience in circumcision. Some say this may have been the result of his being unequally yoked with a Midianite, but on the other hand, this very same Midianite wife wisely and bravely saves Moses from death by her obedience when he had been disobedient and neglectful regarding his sons and circumcision. We need to watch carefully over our own hearts, lest fondness for any relation prevail above our love to God, and cause our duty to Him to become dim. In 1 Samuel 2:29, God asked the neglectful priest, Eli, “Why do you scorn my sacrifice and offering that I prescribed for my dwelling? Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choice parts of every offering made by my people Israel?’” Even good men may become cool in their duty and zeal for God when they have been away from the company of the faithful. Solitude may have its advantages, but they seldom totally counter-balance the loss of Christian communion. We need to be in fellowship with zealous believers to help us maintain our own zeal. It is good that Moses had a believing wife.

Circumcision was a sign of God’s covenant with His people and God was displeased with Moses for not keeping his part in the covenant. God met him, and, possibly with a sword in an angel’s hand, was ready to kill him. This was a great change. Recently God was conversing with him and depositing a trust in him as a friend and now He is coming out against him as an enemy. Omissions are sins and must come into judgment and particularly any contempt for or neglect of the seals of the covenant. Neglect is a sign that we undervalue the promises of the covenant and are displeased with its conditions. He who has made a bargain, but is not willing to seal and ratify it, one may justly suspect, does not like the bargain and does not intend to keep it. God notices it and is displeased with the sins of His own people. If they neglect their duty, let them expect to hear of it by their consciences, and perhaps to feel it by reverses. For this cause many are sick and weak, as Moses probably was here.

Now we will observe the speedy performance of the duty that had been neglected which was the cause of Moses’ life being in danger and the reason God had stopped the travelers. Moses’ son or sons (one may have already been circumcised) must be circumcised and Moses for some unknown reason seems unable to do it. Therefore by necessity Zipporah does it. We must interpret this part of the story by observing Zipporah’s action, not the questionable words she spoke. When God reveals to us what is amiss in our lives we must give all diligence to fix it speedily and intentionally return to the duties we have neglected. The putting away of our sins is unquestionably necessary for the removal of God’s judgements. This is the voice of every rod that smites us. It calls us to return to Him.

When Zipporah circumcised their son the release of Moses is recorded. So he let him go; the destroying angel withdrew, and all was well. Zipporah cannot forget the frightening experience, but will still call Moses a bloody husband. His neglect, obligated her to circumcise the child. When we return to God in a way of duty He will return to us in a way of mercy; take away the cause, and the effect will cease. We must resolve to bear God’s corrections patiently. In our zeal for God and His institutions, even if others do not understand, as Michal did not understand David’s zeal as he danced before the Lord and even if circumcision is bloody as Zipporah knew, we still must do what God requires.

Traditionally, Bible scholars display a negative impression of Zipporah because of what she said to Moses on the trip to Egypt: “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me” (25). But if we look at the complete story in context and consider what she did, we must reach another conclusion. In a time of Moses’ weak faith and disobedience to the command of God to circumcise his sons, Zipporah actually saved her husband’s life. “At a lodging place on the way, the Lord met Moses and was about to kill him. But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin and touched Moses’ feet with it. ‘Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,’ she said. So the Lord let him alone. (At that time she said ‘bridegroom of blood,’ referring to circumcision)” (24–26). In those three verses we see enough of Zipporah’s action to judge her character and appreciate the positive role she played in Moses’ life.

Some couples compete. Some argue; others fight. Some develop warmer and more mature relationships than the good ones with which they began. The Bible does not tell us the nature of the rapport between Moses and Zipporah. Were they friends? We don’t know, but it appears they had a good bond. Throughout the years of shepherding, family times, and life in the desert together, Moses and Zipporah, Mo and Zip, undoubtedly discussed their varying cultural backgrounds. How many nights might they have watched the stars and Moses told her of God’s promise to Abraham, his ancestor, and that Abraham’s descendants would be like the stars—innumerable? Moses would have told her about Abraham’s call, name change, and travels, and Isaac’s disputes with the residents of Canaan over the issue of the wells Isaac had dug and the local people claimed for themselves. He would have told of Jacob and Esau, Jacob’s travels to Paddan Aram, Jacob’s wives and children. He would have related the story of Joseph being sold as a slave and rising to the prime minister’s position, and the migration of the entire family of Jacob from Canaan to Egypt. He would have told of the years of Israeli slavery, his own experiences in the court and family of Pharaoh, and his own failed attempt to deliver the Israelite slaves with his own strength. They spent forty years discussing all of this. We only need to read Genesis to guess what they might have talked about since that family history happened before Moses left Egypt and fled to Midian. Did Moses write Genesis in the desert of Midian after leaving Egypt before returning to Egypt? He had the time then, but did he have the faith? Possibly Zipprrah was inspired by the stories Moses told of his heritage. Could that have motivated her to defend her husband as together they traveled to Egypt? What did Zipporah do that spoke louder than words? “But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin and touched Moses’ feet with it. ‘Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me, she said” (25).

With her husband pinned down with his life being threatened, Zipporah had the perception, discernment, wisdom, and courage to pull out a knife, require at least one of her possibly grown sons to expose his genitals, and cut off his foreskin. This would have been a bloody and painful experience for both mother and son, whatever their ages. She saw the death threat to Moses, and because she believed in the value and validity of his mission, she acted out her faith. They had not casually decided to visit Egypt for a pleasant vacation. Zipporah was drawn by the history of Moses’ people, by Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph’s confidence in a miracle-working God, the true God. This assignment to Egypt was to be another in a series of great moves of God among His people. God had spoken to her husband in a burning bush and he had signs to prove God was with him. Together they were on an important and godly undertaking. The Midianites too were decendants of Abraham and believed in circumcision. Off went the clothes. Out came the knife. Off went the foreskin. Onward went the travelers.

If you are married to a Christian leader, support your spouse. Lend the support he or she needs from time to time. If you and your spouse are both spiritual leaders, each of you can be supportive to the other and your partnership will prove both strong and fruitful. Cast your vision, tell your story, so your spouse catches it, believes in what you are doing, and supports you in it. Take time to inspire your spouse with your dreams. Even the great Moses needed a Zipporah. Encouragement is valuable. Earn it. And give it liberally.

Surely this is an indication of God being involved in these events: God sent Aaron to meet Moses, and directed him where to find him, in the wilderness that lay towards Midian. “So he met Moses at the mountain of God and kissed him” (27). The plans of God are to be acknowledged in the meeting of relations and friends. Aaron made so much haste, in obedience to his God, and in love for his brother, that he met him as far away from his home and as close to Moses’ home as the mount of God, the place where God had met with Moses. They embraced one another with mutual expressions of a deep bond. The more they saw of God’s immediate direction in bringing them together, the more pleasant was their conversation. Kisses were normal behaviors in those days in the middle east so we should not be disturbed by that. This action was not only an indication of brotherly affection, and in remembrance of ancient acquaintance, but a pledge of their hearty agreement in the work to which they were now jointly called. Moses informed his brother of the commission he had received with all the instructions and credentials God had also given.

The elders of Israel met him in faith and obedience. When Moses and Aaron first opened their office in Egypt and said what they were ordered to say, and, to confirm it, did what they were ordered to do, they met with a better reception than they expected. The Israelites received them. The people believed, as God had foretold. Knowing that no man could do the works they did unless God were with him, they gave glory to God. This part of this lesson ends on this positive note: “. . . when they heard that the Lord was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.

It is precisely because there are people in bondage to satan, slaves to him, bound and unable to free themselves, that God is calling you today to be a Moses.