A Strange Beginning

This is the Bible study page for the study of Exodus 4. Be sure to start with chapter 3, and read through to chapter 4:17. That will provide the entire conversation. The remainder of chapter 4 is very strange. Read that separately, and probably a few times. Make notes and jot down questions, you may have a few questions.

Remember, as you read, you are seeking to understand the character of God better. Think about how He reveals Himself, what He reveals about Himself, and what seems to be important to Him? There are lot of questions we can ask that seem to have no importance to Him, and that may tell you something about Him as well.

Once you have your own questions and notes, go back through with a commentary or two. Revise your notes as you consider the views from commentators. After you have done both your review, and reviewed the views of commentators, go back through with the questions below:

• The protests of Moses continue unabated in chapter 4 (through verse 17). In chapter 3 he protested that he was nobody, and then that he didn't know God's name. Now, in verse 1 of chapter 4, Moses asks what happens if they don't believe him. God answers by providing 3 signs by which the sons of Israel will be convinced. What do you think of the progression/explanation of the signs? Why do you think the last one was thrown in there? And what do you think is the relationship between these signs and the plagues God will use with the Egyptians?
• Moses then complains that he is slow of speech. Literally, he is "heavy of mouth and tongue". What do you think this means? Why do you think Moses brings this up now, when it didn't seem to matter before when he tried to rescue the sons of Israel? He claims he has always been this way, how likely do you think that really is?
• God's response to Moses' problem speaking is that He will make him able to speak. It's not the answer Moses is looking for because of his next complaint. Why do you think that God making Moses able to speak isn't sufficient for Moses? God claims He will be with Moses, and will make him able to speak. What clues do you see as to Moses' deep reluctance to accept this calling from God?
• Moses tells God to send whoever else He would like. God gets angry (literally, His nose becomes hot). Why do you think God becomes angry? Why do you think Moses would say that since God is clearly choosing to send Moses?
• God then accommodates Moses and chooses Aaron to help Moses go before the sons of Israel and Pharaoh. Why do you think this partial acquiescence to Moses achieves God's purpose? What could have been the result had Moses not had the final protest?
• Moses goes to Jethro to request to return to Egypt, and Jethro tells him to "go in peace." Moses then puts his family on the donkey, and takes off. So, if Moses is already on the way, why do you think God again speaks to him about facing Pharaoh and what plague will happen? Why do you think God gives Moses the final plague right here? What purpose do you think verses 21 through 23 serve at this particular spot in the narrative?
• Verse 24 switches back to Moses traveling. He stops along the way, and God sought to kill Moses. God was seeking the death of the one He chose to lead the sons of Israel out of Egypt. And He sought it personally, not through some avenging angel or other agent. Yahweh met Moses seeking to kill him. So, why? Why do you think God, the Great IAM is seeking to kill His chosen deliverer?
• Moses' wife, Zipporah, circumcises her son (one of two?), and "touches" the foreskin to his feet. So, we're not sure who "he" is who gets the foreskin on his feet, but her comment on this business is, "You are a marriage-relation of bloods to me." Egyptians and the sons of Israel both circumcise. Midianites probably don't (it actually never says). What do you think this is for? Why do you think Zipporah circumcises her son, and why do you think she says that to Moses?
• Yahweh relents, and lets Moses live. And there is a cryptic explanation of why Zipporah calls Moses a "marriage-relation of bloods". How do these two things help you understand this short passage? What do you think is happening between Yahweh and this family?
• Yahweh tells Aaron to go out and meet Moses. And he goes out and meets Moses by the Mountain of God (Horeb). How do you think Aaron was able to just wander out of Egypt like that? What does this tell you about how thoroughly the Egyptians were able to control the movements of the sons of Israel? 
• Moses and Aaron assemble the elders of the sons of Israel. Aaron speaks to them, and Moses shows them the signs that God had given him as proof.The response of the people is to worship. Why do you think there's no other detail given here? Did they believe Moses? Did they ask the name of God? How realistic were Moses' protests? Why do you think those things aren't important now? What does that tell you about Moses' protests in the first place?

That should occupy our time in group study. Remember to be seeking what these passages reveal to us of God's character. What is Yahweh like? Does anything about Him bother you? What can you do to address that with Him?