Exodus 4:19-20 – Meaning, Explanation, and Related Bible Verses

Verse: Exodus 4:19-20

Theme: Divine Timing and the Removal of Obstacles in the Path of Obedience

“Now the Lord had said to Moses in Midian, ‘Go, return to Egypt, for all the men who sought your life are dead.’ So Moses took his wife and his sons and set them on a donkey, and he returned to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the rod of God in his hand.”

— Exodus 4:19-20, New King James Version (NKJV)

“The Lord had told Moses while he was still in Midian, ‘Return to Egypt, because all those who wanted to kill you have died.’ So Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey, and started back to Egypt. Moses carried the staff of God with him.”

— Exodus 4:19-20, New Century Version (NCV)

“And the Lord said to Moses in Midian, ‘Go back to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life are dead.’ So Moses took his wife and his sons and mounted them on a donkey, and went back to the land of Egypt. Moses also took the staff of God in his hand.”

— Exodus 4:19-20, New American Standard Bible (NASB)

“While Moses was in Midian, the Lord told him, ‘Go back to Egypt, because everyone who wanted to kill you is now dead.’ So Moses took his wife and sons and put them on a donkey for the trip back to Egypt. He also took God’s walking stick.”

— Exodus 4:19-20, Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

“The Lord said to Moses in Midian, ‘Go back to Egypt; for all the men who were seeking your life are dead.’ So Moses took his wife and his sons, and mounted them on donkeys, and returned to the land of Egypt; and Moses took the staff of God in his hand.”

— Exodus 4:19-20, Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Meaning of Exodus 4:19-20

Divine orchestration often reveals itself through the precise timing of circumstances that seemed impossible to arrange through human effort alone. Moses’ return to Egypt illustrates one of those perfectly choreographed moments where God removes every excuse and obstacle that might prevent complete obedience to His calling.

The announcement that Moses’ enemies are dead represents more than just convenient timing. For forty years, Moses had been essentially exiled from Egypt because of his impulsive killing of the Egyptian taskmaster. That single act of violence had created a permanent barrier to his return, making his divine mission seemingly impossible from a human perspective. Yet God’s timing transforms what appeared to be a career-ending mistake into a temporary delay that ended precisely when His purposes required Moses’ presence in Egypt.

What strikes me most about this passage is how it demonstrates God’s comprehensive care for His servants. He doesn’t just call us to difficult assignments; He systematically removes the barriers that would make obedience impossible or unnecessarily dangerous. Moses could now return to Egypt without looking over his shoulder, fully focused on the liberation mission rather than personal survival.

The image of Moses loading his family onto a donkey and carrying God’s staff creates a powerful contrast between humble transportation and divine authority. Here’s a man traveling like any ordinary migrant worker, yet carrying the instrument through which God would demonstrate His power over the mightiest empire on earth. Sometimes the most extraordinary missions begin with the most ordinary steps.

The staff gets special mention here as “the rod of God,” emphasizing its transformation from a simple shepherd’s tool to a symbol of divine power. This staff would soon turn water into blood, summon plagues, and part the Red Sea. But for now, it’s simply traveling equipment in the hands of a man returning home with his family.

Popular Words of Wisdom from Exodus 4:19-20

“God’s delays are not God’s denials.”

— Robert H. Schuller, American Christian Televangelist

“I would rather be a coward than brave because people hurt you when you are brave.”

— E.M. Forster, English Novelist

“Fortune favors the bold.”

— Pliny the Elder, Roman Author and Military Commander

“Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays.”

— Søren Kierkegaard, Danish Christian Philosopher

“Audacity augments courage; hesitation, fear.”

— Publilius Syrus, Roman Author and Moralist

“Faith is permitting ourselves to be seized by the things we do not see.”

— Martin Luther, German Priest and Theologian

Explaining the Context of Exodus 4:19-20

This passage bridges the gap between Moses’ divine commission and his actual departure for Egypt. God provides the final piece of information that makes Moses’ return both possible and safe, removing the last legitimate obstacle to obedience.

The timing revelation comes after Moses has already agreed to go, suggesting that God often provides complete clarity only after we’ve committed to following His leading. This pattern appears throughout Scripture: faith first, then full understanding of how God will work out the details.

Historically, this moment represents a major transition in the power structure of ancient Egypt. The pharaoh who had ordered Moses’ death was likely Thutmose III, and his successors had no personal vendetta against Moses. God’s timing aligns perfectly with political changes that Moses couldn’t have orchestrated himself.

The mention of Moses’ wife and sons reminds us that divine calling affects entire families, not just individuals. Moses isn’t embarking on a solo adventure; he’s relocating his household to participate in God’s redemptive plan for Israel.

The journey from Midian to Egypt would have taken several weeks, giving Moses time to prepare mentally and spiritually for what lay ahead. This wasn’t a rushed emergency mission but a deliberate, well-planned return that allowed for proper preparation and family arrangements.

Explaining the Key Parts of Exodus 4:19-20

“Now the Lord had said to Moses in Midian”

This phrase indicates that God provided this crucial information while Moses was still in his familiar environment, giving him complete assurance before beginning the dangerous journey back to Egypt.

The timing of this revelation shows God’s perfect knowledge of political changes in Egypt and His ability to coordinate international events with individual calling and obedience.

“Go, return to Egypt, for all the men who sought your life are dead”

God’s direct command removes the last reasonable objection Moses might have had about returning to Egypt, where he was technically still a fugitive from justice.

The phrase “all the men” suggests that Moses had multiple enemies in Egypt, not just Pharaoh, making his exile necessary for survival, but also making this news particularly significant for his safe return.

“So Moses took his wife and his sons and set them on a donkey”

Moses’ immediate obedience demonstrates the difference between hesitation based on legitimate concerns and resistance based on underlying rebellion. Once God addressed his safety concerns, Moses acted without delay.

The practical details of family travel show that divine calling requires attention to ordinary logistics and family needs, not just spiritual preparation and supernatural faith.

“And he returned to the land of Egypt”

This simple statement represents one of history’s most significant homecomings, as Moses returns to the place where his mission began forty years earlier with his impulsive act of violence.

The phrase “land of Egypt” emphasizes the magnitude of what Moses is undertaking: challenging the most powerful empire of his time with nothing but divine authority and a shepherd’s staff.

“And Moses took the rod of God in his hand”

The staff’s designation as “the rod of God” emphasizes its transformation from an ordinary tool to a divine instrument, symbolizing how God can sanctify and empower the simplest objects for extraordinary purposes.

Moses’s careful attention to bringing this staff shows his growing understanding of its importance and his preparation to use it as God had instructed during their encounter at the burning bush.

Lessons to Learn from Exodus 4:19-20

1. God’s Timing Removes Obstacles That Seem Permanently Fixed

Moses’ enemies dying at precisely the right moment shows how God orchestrates circumstances beyond our control to clear the path for obedience to His calling and purposes.

2. Divine Calling Often Affects Entire Families, Not Just Individuals

Moses’s inclusion of his wife and sons in the journey demonstrates that God’s purposes frequently require family participation and relocation rather than solo adventures.

3. Ordinary Preparation Accompanies Extraordinary Missions

Loading the family on a donkey and bringing the necessary staff shows that even supernatural assignments require attention to practical details and common-sense preparation.

4. Previous Mistakes Don’t Disqualify Us from Future Usefulness

Moses’ return to the scene of his crime forty years earlier proves that God can redeem our failures and use them as preparation for greater service.

5. Complete Obedience Often Follows Complete Information

Moses’ immediate departure after receiving assurance about his safety suggests that God sometimes withholds final details until we’ve already committed to following His leading.

Related Bible Verses

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

— Romans 8:28, New King James Version (NKJV)

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

— Proverbs 16:9, Today’s New International Version (TNIV)

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

— Jeremiah 29:11, English Standard Version (ESV)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”

— Proverbs 3:5, Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.”

— Psalm 37:23, Contemporary English Version (CEV)

How This Verse Points to Christ

Exodus 4:19-20 points to Christ through Moses’ fearless return to the place of his former shame and failure, just as Jesus courageously faced Jerusalem knowing what awaited Him there.

The removal of Moses’ enemies parallels how Christ’s death and resurrection removed the ultimate enemies of sin and death that separated humanity from God, clearing the path for our return to a relationship with the Father.

Moses carrying the rod of God foreshadows Christ carrying His cross, both instruments becoming symbols of divine power operating through apparent weakness to accomplish impossible deliverance.

The family journey to Egypt points toward how Christ’s mission affects entire households and communities, not just individuals, bringing salvation and transformation to whole families and nations.

God’s perfect timing in Moses’ return reflects the precision of Christ’s coming “in the fullness of time,” when all circumstances aligned perfectly for the greatest rescue mission in history.

Moses’s willingness to return to the scene of his failure demonstrates the same courage Christ showed in returning to earth despite humanity’s rejection, coming not for judgment but for redemption.

Closing Reflection

This passage reveals God’s meticulous attention to the practical details that enable our obedience, showing that He cares about removing obstacles and providing safe passage for those who follow His calling.

Moses’ immediate response to God’s assurance demonstrates the difference between legitimate caution and stubborn resistance, showing how quickly we can move when our real concerns are addressed.

The image of an ordinary family traveling with extraordinary divine authority reminds us that God’s most significant work often begins with simple steps of faith and practical preparation.

This story challenges us to trust God’s timing even when circumstances seem permanently fixed against us, knowing that He can change situations we’re powerless to influence.

The transformation of Moses from fugitive to liberator illustrates God’s ability to redeem our past failures and use them as qualifications for future service rather than disqualifications.

The passage ultimately encourages us that when God calls, He also provides the way, removing barriers and orchestrating circumstances to enable our success in accomplishing His purposes.

Say This Prayer

Sovereign Father,

We praise You for Your perfect timing and Your ability to orchestrate circumstances beyond our control to clear the path for obedience to Your calling in our lives.

Thank You for the example of Moses, who shows us that past failures don’t disqualify us from future usefulness, but can become preparation for greater service in Your kingdom.

Help us distinguish between legitimate concerns that require Your provision and stubborn resistance that merely masks our unwillingness to follow where You lead us.

Grant us the wisdom to prepare practically for the assignments You give us, attending to family needs and ordinary details while trusting You for supernatural enablement and protection.

When You remove obstacles and provide assurance, give us Moses’ courage to move forward immediately rather than finding new excuses for delay or disobedience.

Transform the ordinary tools and circumstances of our lives into instruments of Your extraordinary power, just as You transformed Moses’ staff into the rod of God.

In Christ’s victorious name we pray, Amen.