- Book: [[Exodus]] - Next chapter: [[Exodus 5]] > [!summary] Summary > - [[Moses]] doubts Israel will believe him, so [[Yahweh]] gives three signs and appoints [[Aaron]] as spokesperson > - God sends Moses back to [[Egypt]], announces [[Israel]] as his firstborn son, and foreshadows both [[Heart hardening]] and the [[Killing of Firstborn]] > - A sudden [[Circumcision]] crisis highlights covenant belonging > - The elders of Israel are convinced, as [[Yahweh]] said they would be > [!info] Why is this here? > - Finishes the commissioning by addressing Moses' objections and equipping him for the showdown with [[Pharaoh]] > - Shows the rescue is driven by [[Yahweh]]'s power and covenant commitment, not Moses' competence > - Sets the theological stakes: Israel belongs to God as his firstborn son, and God will act to reclaim his people # Overview ## v. 1-9: Signs so Israel will believe - Moses fears the elders will not believe him - God gives three signs: staff to snake and back, diseased hand restored, and Nile water turned to blood > [!note] Power over life and death > The signs move from animation to sickness to blood, previewing the plagues and showing Yahweh's authority over life, health, and the Nile. ## v. 10-17: "I am slow of speech" - Moses objects again about his speech - God answers with sovereignty over speech and promises to teach him - God appoints [[Aaron]] as mouthpiece; Moses is to speak to Aaron as one who bears God's words > [!note] Weak messenger, strong God > The focus stays on Yahweh's presence and promise, not the ability of the leader. ## v. 18-20: Return to [[Egypt]] - Moses gains [[Jethro]]'s blessing and sets out with his wife and sons - God tells Moses his opponents are dead and he carries "the staff of God" ## v. 21-23: The message for [[Pharaoh]] - First explicit mention of God hardening Pharaoh's heart - Israel is called God's firstborn son; refusal to release them will bring the death of Egypt's firstborn > [!note] Firstborn stakes > The rescue is framed as Yahweh claiming his son; the final plague is foreshadowed here. ## v. 24-26: The circumcision crisis - Yahweh confronts Moses on the journey - [[Zipporah]] circumcises their son and declares, "a bridegroom of blood" ## v. 27-31: Meeting [[Aaron]] and the elders - Aaron meets Moses at "the mountain of God" - The signs persuade the elders, and the people bow and worship when they hear God has seen their misery