18 And Moses goeth and turneth back unto Jethro his father-in-law, and saith to him, 'Let me go, I pray thee, and I turn back unto my brethren who 'are' in Egypt, and I see whether they are yet alive.' And Jethro saith to Moses, 'Go in peace.' 19 And Jehovah saith unto Moses in Midian, 'Go, turn back to Egypt, for all the men have died who seek thy life;' 20 and Moses taketh his wife, and his sons, and causeth them to ride on the ass, and turneth back to the land of Egypt, and Moses taketh the rod of God in his hand. 21 And Jehovah saith unto Moses, 'In thy going to turn back to Egypt, see—all the wonders which I have put in thy hand—that thou hast done them before Pharaoh, and I—I strengthen his heart, and he doth not send the people away; 22 and thou hast said unto Pharaoh, Thus said Jehovah, My son, My first-born 'is' Israel, 23 and I say unto thee, Send away My son, and he doth serve Me; and—thou dost refuse to send him away—lo, I am slaying thy son, thy first-born.'
24 And it cometh to pass in the way, in a lodging place, that Jehovah meeteth him, and seeketh to put him to death; 25 and Zipporah taketh a flint, and cutteth off the foreskin of her son, and causeth 'it' to touch his feet, and saith, 'Surely a bridegroom of blood 'art' thou to me;' 26 and He desisteth from him: then she said, 'A bridegroom of blood,' in reference to the circumcision.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 4:18-26
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.
Commentary on Exodus 4:24-31
(Read Exodus 4:24-31)
God met Moses in anger. The Lord threatened him with death or sent sickness upon him, as the punishment of his having neglected to circumcise his son. When God discovers to us what is amiss in our lives, we must give all diligence to amend it speedily. This is the voice of every rod; it calls us to return to Him that smites us. God sent Aaron to meet Moses. The more they saw of God's bringing them together, the more pleasant their interview was. The elders of Israel met them in faith, and were ready to obey them. It often happens, that less difficulty is found than was expected, in such undertakings as are according to the will of God, and for his glory. Let us but arise and try at our proper work, the Lord will be with us and prosper us. If Israel welcomed the tidings of their deliverance, and worshipped the Lord, how should we welcome the glad tidings of redemption, embrace it in faith, and adore the Redeemer!