IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

"he Took the Staff of God in His Hand"

Date: Jan. 9, 2021

Passage

Exodus 4:18-31

Moses Returns to Egypt

18 Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, “Please let me go back to my brothers in Egypt to see whether they are still alive.” And Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace.” 19 And 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 had them ride on a donkey, and went back to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the staff of God in his hand.

21 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. 22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD, Israel is my firstborn son, 23 and I say to you, “Let my son go that he may serve me.” If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son.’”

24 At a lodging place on the way the LORD met him and sought to put him to death. 25 Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son’s foreskin and touched Moses’ feet with it and said, “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me!” 26 So he let him alone. It was then that she said, “A bridegroom of blood,” because of the circumcision.

27 The LORD said to Aaron, “Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.” So he went and met him at the mountain of God and kissed him. 28 And Moses told Aaron all the words of the LORD with which he had sent him to speak, and all the signs that he had commanded him to do. 29 Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the people of Israel. 30 Aaron spoke all the words that the LORD had spoken to Moses and did the signs in the sight of the people. 31 And the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD had visited the people of Israel and that he had seen their affliction, they bowed their heads and worshiped.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: Exodus 4:20

So Moses took his wife and his sons and had them ride on a donkey, and went back to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the staff of God in his hand.

1. God's plan for Moses in Egypt (18-23)

Moses, with the blessing of his father-in-law and God's assurance, no longer a hunted man, takes his family and begins the journey to Egypt. He obeyed God, taking the staff of God in his hand. Moses had cared for Jethro's sheep for 40 years with this staff. Now it was God's staff, symbolizing God's plan to shepherd his 'firstborn son' Israel through Moses, just as he told Moses.

2. Zipporah and Aaron help Moses (24-31)

It is hard to know why God wanted to kill Moses in the event at the lodging place. But two things stick out: it was important to God that Moses' sons be circumcised, and God blessed Zipporah's faith and action to save her husband. Aaron also heard God's voice and obeyed, and was able to help Moses just as God instructed (3:14-16). In this way, Moses was accepted as God's servant by the people, and they worshiped God, recognizing in Moses and Aaron that God was concerned about them and had seen their misery.

Prayer: Father, you are a good shepherd, and you raise shepherds to care for your people. Help me recognize your hand at work and worship you.

One Word: God helped Moses who obeyed

Daily Bread

Remember Who God is

Psalm 77:1-20

Key Verse: 77:11

I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your wonders of old.

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Intro Daily