Another interpretation: “Moses went” – that is what is written: “He is one; who can respond to Him” (Job 23:13). Rabbi Pinḥas expounded: Because He is one in the world, He judges all mankind alone, and no one can overturn His words Shir HaShirim Rabba, Parasha 1>. Our Rabbis said: What is “He is one; who can respond to Him”? Whatever He issues as a decree on a person, there is no overturning His words.
How much did Bilam seek to curse Israel, but against his will and against his best interests he would bless them, as it is stated: “How will I curse if God has not cursed?” (Numbers 23:8). How much did Jonah seek not to go on the mission of the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “He went down to Yafo, and found a ship going to Tarshish” (Jonah 1:3), and he went against his will, as it is stated: “Jonah arose and went to Nineveh” (Jonah 3:3).
How much did Jeremiah seek not to prophesy, and he prophesied against his best interests, as it is stated: “Do not say I am a lad, because to wherever I will send you, you shall go” (Jeremiah 1:7). How much did Moses seek not to go on the mission of the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “Send, please, by means of whom You will send” (Exodus 4:13), but ultimately, he went against his will, as it is stated: “Moses went and returned to Yeter his father-in-law.”5The phrase “Moses went” is not referring to his going to Yitro, as the word “went” would have been unnecessary.
The verse is therefore alluding to the fact that although Moses did not go right away, ultimately it was impossible for him not to carry out his mission.