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 .""'
24 Now it came about at the lodging place on the way that 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 threw it at Moses' feet , and she said , "You are indeed a bridegroom of blood to me." 26 So He let him alone . At that time she said , "You are a bridegroom of blood "-because of the circumcision . 27 Now the Lord said to Aaron , "Go to meet Moses in the wilderness ." So he went and met him at the mountain of God and kissed him. 28 Moses told Aaron all the words of the Lord with which He had sent him, and all the signs that He had commanded him to do. 29 Then Moses and Aaron went and assembled all the elders of the sons of Israel ; 30 and Aaron spoke all the words which the Lord had spoken to Moses . He then performed the signs in the sight of the people . 31 So the people believed ; and when they heard that the Lord was concerned about the sons of Israel and that He had seen their affliction , then they bowed low and worshiped .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 4:22-36
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!