Exodus 4:21-23

From Theonomy Wiki
Exodus 4

Law Analysis overview


21 YHWH said to Moses, “When you go back into Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the wonders which I have put in your hand, but I will harden his heart and he will not let the people go. 22 You shall tell Pharaoh, ‘YHWH says, Israel is my son, my firstborn, 23 and I have said to you, “Let my son go, that he may serve me;” and you have refused to let him go. Behold, I will kill your firstborn son.’” Exodus 4:21-23WEB

Classification

The Command

This passage contains a series of positive commands, with immediate relevance, directed toward Moses:

  • "do before Pharaoh all the wonders which I have put in thy hand"
  • "Say unto Pharaoh, ..."

Categories

Theis command is part of the Principles and Definitions. It is relevant to an understanding of the Creator-Creation Distinction, as it is part of the greater narrative where God shows his power through Egypt. It is also relevant to Family, as it is the first place where God uses a Father-Son relationship to illustrate his relationship with Israel, and it is relevant to Inheritance because God does not just say "Israel is my son", but "Israel is my first born son", indicating Israel's preeminence by associating them with a familial office which receives a greater part of the inheritance.

Fulfillment

These commands was fulfilled by Moses in Egypt.

Notes on Interpretation/Application