Comentário sobre Êxodo 4:14

ויחר אף AND [THE LORD’S] WRATH GLOWED — Rabbi Joshua the son of Korcha said: wherever the term “and God’s wrath glowed” occurs in the Scriptures it leaves a definite impression (mention of punishment of some kind follows), but here no such result is mentioned, for we do not find that any punishment came upon Moses in consequence of that anger of God. Rabbi José said to him: As a matter of fact here, too, some definite result is mentioned, viz., הלא אהרן אחיך הלוי “Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother?” — which implies, that he was destined to be a Levite (an attendant on the priests) and not a priest, — and I intended that the priesthood should proceed from you. Now, however, this shall not be so, but he will be the Priest and you the Levite, as it is said, (I Chronicles 23:14) “But as for Moses the man of God his sons are named among the tribe of Levi” (Zevachim 102a).

I KNOW THAT HE [Aaron] CAN SPEAK WELL. That is to say, “It is revealed before Me that, out of his love for you, Aaron will willingly speak on your behalf even if I were not to command him. And also, behold, he cometh forth of his own bidding to meet thee, and when he seeth thee he will be glad in his heart, and he will not be jealous over your distinction in this honorable mission.” The reason that it was necessary that G-d tell Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses,²⁸³Further. Verse 27. was in order to inform him of the road by which Moses was coming. It is possible that Aaron heard of Moses’ departure from Midian, and on his own accord he went out to meet him. Afterwards, when he was already on the way, it was said to him, “Go into the wilderness to meet him, for there you will find him.”

ויחר אף ה' במשה, such an expression always means that G’d’s anger had tangible consequences for the one at whom G’d was angry. In this instance, the encounter described in verse 24 where G’d is described as seeking to kill him is such a consequence. I already explained on Genesis 32,29 that Yaakov’s having had to limp was a punishment for him.