In the reading of Exodus, I have been finding many different gems that have broadened by understanding, knowledge and awe of the great God that I serve.
Did you know that the Lord wanted to kill Moses? Here is the story….
So Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey and started back to Egypt. And he took the staff of God in his hand.
21 The Lord said to Moses, “When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.22 Then say to Pharaoh, ‘This is what the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son, 23 and I told you, “Let my son go, so he may worship me.” But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son.’”
24 At a lodging place on the way, the Lord met Moses[a] and was about to kill him. 25 But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin and touched Moses’ feet with it.[b] “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,” she said. 26 So the Lord let him alone. (At that time she said “bridegroom of blood,” referring to circumcision.) Exodus 4:21-26
Why did the Lord want to kill Moses? To understand thi
s you need more perspective.
Moses in fleeing from Egypt, lived in the Midianite dessert where he married a Midianite woman. From that marriage, they had a son. As was the culture of the Israelite people, they circumcised their sons. His wife was not comfortable with that and so it was not done.
Moses wanted to please his wife but not God.
Sounds familiar?
Sometimes we get so caught up in trying to please others and step out of the boundaries set by God.
But as in this lesson for Moses, we can’t walk in our purpose in life if we are not first right with God. We can’t become effective leaders, we can’t be useful servants of God if we have not fulfilled the conditions that God set out before us.
Moses couldn’t go any further in his path of life to free the people of Israel from Pharaoh’s tyranny until he obeyed God and circumcised his son. Under the Old Testament Law, not circumcising their son meant a removal of God’s blessings on their life and their family.
Food for thought: What area in your life are you disobeying God? Are you allowing others to lead you in your disobedience to God? Your disobedience could lead to a high price. Are you willing to pay that?
Prayer: God of grace and mercy, forgive us our trespasses. Shine your light in the areas of our lives in which we need to obey your living word. Provide us with the strength and wisdom to overcome any distractions placed in our way. In Jesus name. Amen
God’s grace, mercy and peace be with you.
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