This post is from contributing writer, Alina Joy from Good Old Days Farm.
Do you know what I think is the strangest story in the Bible? I’ll give you a hint. It involves Moses and it’s found in Exodus chapter 4. In fact, this story is so strange that the first time I noticed it… I mean, really, really noticed it… I was reading along and suddenly I thought, “Whoa! What just happened? Where did that story come from?” But instead of me telling you the story, let’s just read it together and see if you think it’s as strange as I thought:
19 Now the Lord said to Moses in Midian, “Go, return to Egypt; for all the men who sought your life are dead.” 20 Then Moses took his wife and his sons and set them on a donkey, and he returned to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the rod of God in his hand.
21 And the Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do all those wonders before Pharaoh which I have put in your hand. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. 22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Israel is My son, My firstborn. 23 So I say to you, let My son go that he may serve Me. But if you refuse to let him go, indeed I will kill your son, your firstborn.”’
24 And it came to pass on the way, at the encampment, that the Lord met him and sought to kill him. 25 Then Zipporah took a sharp stone and cut off the foreskin of her son and cast it at Moses’ feet, and said, “Surely you are a husband of blood to me!” 26 So He let him go. Then she said, “You are a husband of blood!”—because of the circumcision.
Now, am I the only one who reads that story and thinks to myself, “What on earth was that????” How did that story end up in the Bible? And more importantly, what does God want to teach me through that story?
Apparently, during his stay in Midian, Moses had somehow neglected to circumcise his son. Circumcision was required by God as a sign that the Israelites were His people. It was through Circumcision that the Israelites acknowledged God’s leadership over them and availed themselves of the blessings of God’s covenant with Israel. Moses – the future leader of Israel – had neglected to perform this duty with his very own son. And God was not amused. He didn’t think it was just a little oversight or “no big deal.” He was so angry that he sent an angel to kill Moses. God takes complete obedience pretty seriously. <— Tweet This!
God – the God who changeth not – still takes complete obedience very seriously. Are there things in your life that you have let slide?
- How is your devotional life? God calls us to take the time to study his word.
- How often do you memorize scripture? This is also a requirement of following Him.
- Do you actively instruct your children in the ways of God? Do you read the Bible to them? (Not Bible storybooks, but the actual Word of God!) Do you lead them in Scripture Memory? (God gave specific instructions about teaching our children in Deuteronomy 6.)
- Are you diligent about telling the truth? Or do you sometimes tell “little white lies” or “lies by omission?” (Exodus 20:16)
- Is your house clean? A disorderly home cannot reflect our God of order (1 Corinthians 14:40)
- What other areas of your life have you neglected?
God cares about the details, friends! He doesn’t want us just sliding through life, constantly in Survival Mode, barely scraping by. (Praise the Lord! My God is not the God of Survival Mode! There’s nothing wrong with being in survival mode for a while, but it’s not permanent!) He wants us to live victoriously! He wants our lives to be a powerful testimony to His power to change us and renew us. Whether you’re off track in just one area, or if your life is completely off track in every area, God is still the same. Just like He got Moses’ attention (and wow, He really got Moses’ attention!), He wants to get your attention and help you align yourself with His perfect will in every area of your life!
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 1 John 2:3-5
About Alina Joy
Great post – thanks for the reminder. There is a great song about obedience that my children listened to when hey were young. It spells out the word obedience – “O-B-E-D-I-E-N-C-E, obedience is the very best way to show that you believe.” Let’s show our faith through our loving obedience!
Ronda recently posted..“No One Can Serve Two Masters.” (Matthew 6:22)
I like how you think! What a great idea to help instill these truths into our little ones!