Exodus 4:18

And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father in law, and said unto him, Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my brethren which are in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace.

Exodus 4:18 (KJV)

Context

This verse follows God’s call to Moses at the burning bush, where God commissioned him to confront Pharaoh and deliver Israel from slavery in Egypt. Moses had just received this divine mission, and now he returns to his father-in-law Jethro, a Midianite priest and father of Zipporah, Moses’ wife.

Meaning

Moses asks Jethro for permission to go back to Egypt and see whether his brethren, the Israelites, are still alive. This request shows respect for family authority and proper social order. Though God had directly called him, Moses did not depart abruptly but sought Jethro’s consent, demonstrating that divine calling does not remove familial responsibilities. Jethro’s reply, “Go in peace,” is a standard Hebrew farewell conveying goodwill and blessing. This exchange marks a pivotal transition: Moses moves from forty years of shepherding in Midian to the divinely appointed task of leading Israel out of Egypt.

Biblical connections

Moses’ concern for his brethren reflects genuine care for God’s people, his kin by nation and religion. The earlier objections Moses raised at the burning bush (Exodus 3-4) are now resolved; he has chosen to obey. His humility is evident—though God had directly commissioned him, he still honored his father-in-law.

Application

Faithful service to God often involves practical, courteous steps in human relationships. Like Moses, believers can honor those in authority over them while following God’s call. Simple obedience, expressed through respectful communication, prepares the way for greater purposes. This passage teaches that divine calling does not negate our responsibilities to family and community.

Reflection

The brevity of this exchange contrasts with the magnitude of the mission. Great divine purposes often begin with simple, obedient steps. Moses’ humility and care for his people, combined with Jethro’s blessing, set the stage for the exodus journey. Jethro’s blessing foreshadows the peaceful departure and the beginning of God’s deliverance.