Exodus 4:20

And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.

And Moses {H4872} took {H3947} his wife {H802} and his sons {H1121}, and set {H7392} them upon an ass {H2543}, and he returned {H7725} to the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}: and Moses {H4872} took {H3947} the rod {H4294} of God {H430} in his hand {H3027}.

So Moshe took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey, and started out for Egypt. Moshe took God's staff in his hand.

So Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey, and headed back to Egypt. And he took the staff of God in his hand.

And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.

Commentary

Exodus 4:20 marks a pivotal moment in the life of Moses and the unfolding narrative of Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage. After his dramatic encounter with God at the burning bush, Moses finally begins his long-awaited journey back to Egypt, not as a fugitive but as God's appointed deliverer.

Context

This verse immediately follows God's detailed instructions and assurances to Moses regarding his mission to Pharaoh and the Israelites. Moses had been living in Midian for forty years, having fled Egypt after killing an Egyptian (Exodus 2:11-15). The divine call at the burning bush (Exodus 3) was a profound turning point, overcoming Moses' initial reluctance and self-doubt. Now, having received divine empowerment and a clear mandate, he prepares to embark on the most significant mission of his life, taking his family (his wife, Zipporah, and his sons, Gershom and Eliezer) with him from Midian towards the land of Egypt.

Key Themes

  • Obedience and Divine Commission: Moses' departure signifies his acceptance of God's challenging commission. Despite his earlier hesitations and arguments with God (Exodus 4:1-13), he now moves forward in obedience, demonstrating a crucial step in his faith journey towards the deliverance of Israel.
  • The "Rod of God": The staff, once a simple shepherd's tool, was miraculously transformed into a symbol of divine power and authority (Exodus 4:2-4). By taking it "in his hand," Moses signifies his reliance on God's miraculous intervention and presence. This rod would become instrumental in performing the plagues upon Egypt and famously parting the Red Sea (Exodus 14:16).
  • Family in the Mission: Moses brings his wife and sons along, highlighting the personal cost and commitment involved in God's service, often requiring significant changes in one's family life. This also shows Moses fulfilling his domestic responsibilities even as he undertakes a national mission.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the rod of God" (Hebrew: matteh ha'Elohim, ΧžΦ·Χ˜ΦΌΦ΅Χ” Χ”ΦΈΧΦ±ΧœΦΉΧ”Φ΄Χ™Χ) is highly significant. It's not just "Moses' rod" but specifically designated as belonging to God. This emphasizes that the power and authority vested in the rod originate from God alone, distinguishing it from any ordinary shepherd's staff. It becomes a tangible representation of God's enabling presence with Moses and His divine power at work.

Practical Application

Exodus 4:20 offers profound lessons for believers today. It reminds us that:

  • God uses ordinary people for extraordinary tasks: Moses was a shepherd, yet God called him to lead a nation. Similarly, God can empower us for His purposes, no matter our background or perceived limitations.
  • Obedience is key: Even when the task seems daunting or impossible, taking the first step in obedience, as Moses did, opens the way for God to work powerfully through us.
  • Divine tools are provided: Just as Moses had the "rod of God," we are given spiritual resources and the Holy Spirit to accomplish what God calls us to do. We are to rely on God's power, not our own strength or wisdom.
  • Family considerations in ministry: While God's call is paramount, this verse subtly shows Moses integrating his family into his life's mission, a reminder to consider the impact of our service on our loved ones and to seek God's guidance in balancing these responsibilities.

This verse encapsulates the beginning of Moses' epic journey of faith and leadership, empowered by God's explicit command and tangible presence, setting the stage for the Exodus narrative.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 17:9

    And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.

  • Numbers 20:8

    Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.

  • Numbers 20:9

    And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him.

  • Exodus 4:2

    And the LORD said unto him, What [is] that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.

  • Numbers 20:11

    And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts [also].

  • Exodus 18:3

    And her two sons; of which the name of the one [was] Gershom; for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land:

  • Exodus 18:4

    And the name of the other [was] Eliezer; for the God of my father, [said he, was] mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh:
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