18 Then Moses departed and returned to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, "Please , let me go , that I may return to my brethren who are in Egypt , and see if they are still alive ." And Jethro said to Moses , "Go in peace ." 19 Now the Lord said to Moses in Midian , "Go back to Egypt , for all the men who were seeking your life are dead ." 20 So Moses took his wife and his sons and mounted them on a donkey , and returned to the land of Egypt . Moses also took the staff of God in his hand . 21 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 . 22 "Then you shall say to Pharaoh , 'Thus says the Lord , " Israel is My son , My firstborn . 23 "So I said to you, ' Let My son go that he may serve Me'; but you have refused to let him go . Behold , I will kill your son , your firstborn .""'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 4:18-23
Commentary on Exodus 4:18-23
(Read Exodus 4:18-23)
After God had appeared in the bush, he often spake to Moses. Pharaoh had hardened his own heart against the groans and cries of the oppressed Israelites; and now God, in the way of righteous judgment, hardens his heart against the teaching of the miracles, and the terror of the plagues. But whether Pharaoh will hear, or whether he will forbear, Moses must tell him, Thus saith the Lord. He must demand a discharge for Israel, Let my son go; not only my servant, whom thou hast no right to detain, but my son. It is my son that serves me, and therefore must be spared, must be pleaded for. In case of refusal I will slay thy son, even thy first-born. As men deal with God's people, let them expect so to be dealt with.