The Reason for why God Almost Killed Moses will SHOCK You..
The account of God almost killing Moses is a perplexing yet significant episode in the Bible, found in Exodus 4:24-26. This brief but intense moment occurs as Moses, having received his commission from God to free the Israelites, is traveling with his family to Egypt. The passage states that "At a lodging place on the way, the Lord met Moses and was about to kill him." This sudden divine threat, without immediate context, has left many readers and scholars asking: Why would God seek to kill Moses, the very man He had just chosen to lead His people out of slavery?
The Significance of Circumcision
To understand why God almost killed Moses, it is essential to examine the covenant of circumcision, a central aspect of the relationship between God and the people of Israel. In Genesis 17, God made a covenant with Abraham, marking circumcision as the sign of this covenant. All male descendants of Abraham were required to be circumcised as a physical and spiritual mark of belonging to God's chosen people. Failure to adhere to this command would result in being cut off from the covenant, as it was a serious breach of the agreement between God and His people.
Moses, as a Hebrew and a direct descendant of Abraham, was required to circumcise his son according to this covenant. However, it appears that Moses had neglected this crucial responsibility. Although the Bible does not explicitly state why Moses failed to circumcise his son, there are several possibilities. It could have been due to the influence of his Midianite wife, Zipporah, or perhaps due to living in the land of Midian, where this covenant practice may not have been emphasized. Regardless of the reason, Moses had failed to perform the covenantal duty, and this failure was unacceptable in the eyes of God, particularly for the one who would soon represent Him before the entire nation of Israel.
The Role of Zipporah
In this dramatic moment, Moses' wife, Zipporah, plays a pivotal role in saving his life. As soon as it becomes clear that God's wrath is directed at Moses, Zipporah takes a flint knife and circumcises their son. She then touches Moses' feet with the blood, saying, "Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me." This act of circumcision seems to appease God's anger, and He spares Moses' life.
Zipporah's swift action demonstrates her understanding of the severity of the situation. She recognizes that the lack of circumcision had brought Moses into mortal danger and that fulfilling the covenant requirement was the only way to prevent his death. Zipporah's role in this passage is intriguing, as it suggests that she understood the importance of the covenant, even though she was not an Israelite by birth.
Moses’ Leadership and Accountability
This event underscores the gravity of leadership in God's plan and the high standard to which Moses, as the chosen leader, was held. As the man appointed by God to lead His people out of Egypt and bring them to the Promised Land, Moses was expected to uphold the laws and covenants of God in his personal life as well as in his public duties. His failure to circumcise his son was not just a personal oversight; it was a violation of the very covenant that defined the Israelites' relationship with God.
For Moses to serve as the mediator between God and the Israelites, he needed to be in full compliance with God's commands. Circumcision was a sign of submission and obedience to God, and by neglecting this, Moses had put himself at odds with the covenant. God could not allow Moses to proceed with such a grave oversight, as it would undermine the integrity of his leadership and the message he was to deliver to the people.
Theological Implications
This brief but dramatic episode highlights several important theological themes. First, it emphasizes the seriousness with which God views His covenants. The covenant of circumcision was not merely a symbolic act but a binding agreement between God and His people, with real consequences for those who failed to honor it. By almost killing Moses, God was making it clear that no one, not even the chosen leader of Israel, was above the requirements of the covenant.
Second, this event highlights the principle of accountability in leadership. Moses was about to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, but he himself had not fulfilled a critical part of the covenant that bound the people to God. This moment serves as a reminder that those who are called to lead God's people are held to a higher standard and must be diligent in their obedience to His commands.
God almost killing Moses in Exodus 4:24-26 may seem like a perplexing incident, but it carries profound significance. It underscores the importance of the covenant of circumcision, the seriousness of God's commands, and the accountability required of those who are called to lead His people. By intervening through
