11:27 left Egypt, not being afraid. This is often taken to refer to the first time Moses left Egypt. Moses, having chosen to identify himself with his own people against the Egyptians (vv. 24, 25), had killed an Egyptian and had to flee. About this departure, Ex. 2:14 says that he “was afraid.” If this verse does refer to the flight to Midian, the phrase “not being afraid” probably refers to Moses’ unshakable faith in God’s redemptive plan. Although Moses experienced the quite natural apprehension that Pharaoh would do him personal harm if he stayed in Egypt, he did not fear that his divine commission to rescue God’s people was in jeopardy. With this hope in God’s purposes he left and “endured” in Midian.

It is possible, however, that this verse refers to the Exodus; here Moses clearly was without fear. If so, v. 27 mentions the Exodus in a general way, with details such as the Passover and the parting of the Red Sea following in vv. 28, 29.