Exodus Chapter 4 Summary
Moses' objections. Unbelief of the people and Moses' lack of eloquence. Return to Egypt. Message delivered to elders.
Discussion Questions for Exodus, Chapter 4
- Exodus 4 shows Moses giving excuses for why he cannot go for the Lord. The Lord provides answers to these doubts. Why do you think Moses keeps giving excuses and doesn't believe he can do the work? Has there been a time when God has asked you to do something and you said no or offered excuses? What were the effects of you saying no that you are aware of?
- Exodus 4:1-9 shows God giving Moses three different signs to convince the children of Israel that Moses actually met with God. Many would turn away from someone if they do not believe after the first sign. What does it say about God's faithfulness to Israel that He gives Moses three signs to demonstrate that Moses had indeed met with God?
- Moses is reminded by God that God had made his mouth, even if he isn't very eloquent (Ex 4:11-12). Why is God asking Moses to do something in which Moses has so little confidence?
- Moses finally states the obvious in Exodus 4:13 that he wants God to send someone else. This is also similar to Jonah later in the Bible when God forces him to go to Nineveh. Have you told God to have someone else do it when you were being told to do something? Did God allow you not to do it? What were the final results?
- Exodus 4:10-17 describes the training that God gave Moses for leading His people. Was there any other training that Moses received outside of seeing the Burning Bush? How does God prepare His people for ministry?
- Jethro doesn't question Moses's return to Egypt in Ex 4:18, even though Moses is taking Jethro's daughter and grandchildren with him. What does this illustrate about Jethro's relationship with Moses? How is your relationship with the generation before or after you? How can it improve?
- Moses begins the journey back to Egypt, and God gives more details about going before Pharaoh in Exodus 4:21-23. Moses finds out that Pharaoh will harden his heart to the point that God will need to kill the firstborn son. How does this image of God match our culture's perception of Him? Has God changed since that time period? If not, how should we change our worship of God?
- There is an attempt on Moses's life in Exodus 4:24, and Zipporah responds by circumcising her son and casting the remnant at Moses's feet. What does this illustrate about Zipporah's mindset? How much does the wife affect the ministry of the husband?
- The next time we see Zipporah is when Jethro brings her to Moses after he has led the children out of Egypt into the wilderness. We are not certain when Zipporah went to her father's house, but we are certain there was a time of separation between Moses and Zipporah. The Bible teaches that the husband and wife should become one flesh. When is it alright to separate, as Zipporah and Moses had done? Why would those times become necessary?
- Aaron comes out to Moses at the end of chapter 4 at Mt. Horeb in the wilderness. Moses demonstrates all of the signs and tells Aaron all of the things they are to tell Pharaoh. We do not have a record of Aaron responding to Moses, but he just begins going with Moses to Egypt. How does this demonstrate Aaron's faith? What is Aaron's faith in? Do you think Aaron would have gone with Moses if Moses did not demonstrate the signs? Why or why not?
Key Words/Phrase
Spokesman, v. 16.
Characters
God, Moses, Aaron, Jethro, Zipporah, elders.
Strong Verse(s)
11, 12, 31.
