Notes to self: Exodus 1-6

Things in Exodus 1-6 to think about more, and to look up in the library.

1. Exodus 7:3 and other verses referring to the 'signs and wonders' Moses will perform to convince the people of Israel and Pharaoh. Interesting that the NT should use just the same phrase to describe the evidences of the Apostles (e.g. Heb 2:4). Also related is it of any significance that a quick computer search of the phrase 'signs and wonders' in the NT produces 11 entries all of which refer to the miracles of the Apostles (or false prophets) with the one possible exception of John 4:48?

2. When Moses is sent back to Egypt after earlier escaping with his life, there is real tension as you think he is going just to be executed as soon as he gets there. He sets off for Egypt on a donkey with his wife and children. Is it possible that Jesus was thinking of this passage, as well as Zechariah, when he chose to enter Jerusalem, to be executed, on a donkey (4:20)?

3. What on earth is going on in Exodus 4:24 and following? Why is God seeking to kill the man he has just sent, and why does Zipporah’s action solve the problem?

   At a lodging place on the way the LORD met him and sought to put him to death. 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!" So he let him alone. It was then that she said, "A bridegroom of blood," because of the circumcision. 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.

4. What does Moses mean when he says to Yahweh that 'How then shall Pharaoh listen to me, for I am of uncircumcised lips?' (6:12 and 6:30)? It only appears in these two verses in the whole bible according to my computer!