Exodus 4:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And the Lord said to Moses, "When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.

NIV: 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.

NASB: And the Lord said to Moses, 'When you go back to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders which I have put in your power; but I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.

CSB: The Lord instructed Moses, "When you go back to Egypt, make sure you do before Pharaoh all the wonders that I have put within your power. But I will harden his heart so that he won’t let the people go.

NLT: And the Lord told Moses, 'When you arrive back in Egypt, go to Pharaoh and perform all the miracles I have empowered you to do. But I will harden his heart so he will refuse to let the people go.

KJV: And the Lord said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.

NKJV: And the Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do all those wonders before Pharaoh which I have put in your hand. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.

This summarizes the struggle to free Israel from Egyptian slavery (Exodus 1:13–14, 22). Moses (Exodus 3:10) is sent to perform miraculous signs meant to convince Pharaoh to release the Hebrews. These acts (Exodus 4:2–9) summarize the Lord's power over animal life, human life, and nature itself. The interactions with Pharaoh will also explore the relationship between human will and God's all-knowing, all-powerful control. Pharaoh will be given a choice, but God also plans to bring judgment on Egypt.

God warns that Pharaoh will not cooperate with Moses. In fact, the Lord plans to make Pharaoh stubborn, in order to set up further proof of divine power (Exodus 4:22–23; 12:29–30). This may seem unfair. However, Proverbs 29:1 warns about what happens when someone habitually defies God. Eventually, they reach a point where God's mercy is no longer offered, and instead they are subjected to consequences and judgment. Scripture makes it clear that Pharaoh chooses stubbornness first (Exodus 5:2; 7:14, 22). In fact, he repeatedly hardens his own heart against the Lord (Exodus 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7). Only after many such instances does God begin to make an example of the Egyptian ruler (Exodus 9:12; 10:1, 20, 27; 11:10), as predicted here.

Exodus 4:18–26 includes a bizarre incident in the life of Moses. He plans to return to Egypt , to perform the signs given by God, and to challenge Egypt's Pharaoh to release Israel. On the way, Moses seems to fall deathly ill, at God's hand. Moses' wife circumcises one of their sons and transfers some meaning of the ceremony to Moses by touching his feet. This removes the danger, and Moses continues on towards Egypt.

While speaking with God in the form of a supernaturally burning bush, Moses expresses a lack of confidence. God gives Moses several miraculous signs so he can prove the source of his message. Moses is still unsure because of his poor speech. Though irritated, God appoints Moses' brother, Aaron, to be the spokesman while Moses relays the words of God. Moses returns to Egypt. Along the way, he nearly dies due to God's anger over some issue related to circumci-sion. After meeting his brother, Moses convinces the elders of Israel that his mission is genuine.

Moses, born an Israelite (Exodus 2:1) but raised by an Egyptian princess (Exodus 2:10) fled into exile after killing an abu-sive Egyptian taskmaster (Exodus 2:14–15). Later, Moses meets God (Exodus 3:6) and receives the initial command to challenge Pharaoh for the freedom of the Israelites (Exodus 3:18–20). In this chapter, Moses makes excuses about his public speaking and nearly dies because of an uncircumcised son. Israel's elders believe Moses' story. But in the next chapter, Moses' early confrontation with Pharaoh goes poorly; the people are worked even hard-er (Exodus 5:5–9) and they begin to turn against Moses (Exodus 5:20–21).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.