(Just a personal note. Today is the 55th anniversary of my marriage to my wife Cynthia. I am so thankful to the Lord for her. She is Ruth, the Shulamite, Abishag and Priscilla all in one. She is a true blessing to our family: our children and grandchildren are blessed by her and call her blessed, as do I. The chief thing is that she loves her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am a better person because of her.)
Moses’ rebellion was a serious matter. But God was not willing to “give in” and find someone else. God did bring Aaron into the picture, to be Moses’ mouthpiece. But Moses was still to be God’s man in defeating Pharaoh and delivering the people of Israel from bondage. Make sure you note: Moses still had not said “yes” to God. The story in the next few chapters of Exodus are not just about the formation of a nation, a people chosen by the Lord. It is also the story of God’s cultivating a true servant. In the end, God and Moses would have a “friendship” (Ex. 33:11).
Having said that, keep in mind how serious it
is to tell God “no.” It dishonors God. It is evidence of unbelief in the heart. Israel said “no” to God the first time they
came to the door of Canaan. God did not
change His mind and give them a different land, but He did give them 38 more
years in the wilderness until a new generation was ready and willing to trust
God. Jonah said “no” to God. Again, God did not choose another
prophet. But He did put Jonah through
an experience that Jonah likened to being in the grave. God has plans for you and me, and they
involve a call to serve Him in ways beyond our ability. If you say “yes” God gets an opportunity to
honor Himself by being strong through your weaknesses. If you say “no” God will still gain the glory,
but your road will be more difficult as your loving Father disciplines you to
bring you to the goal of Christ-likeness.
So, Moses went to his father-in-law Jethro, and
told him of his plan to return with his family to Egypt. Aaron had come from Egypt and met Moses at Mt.
Sinai, and they all headed back to Egypt.
But then, at the first night’s camp, something amazing happened. God struck Moses so that he was near
death. Without all the detail, our
understanding is that Moses had failed to circumcise his son. Apparently it was because of the reluctance
of the child’s mother, Zipporah. She was
not an Israelite and undoubtedly had no desire to inflict such pain on her
infant. Moses had failed in not
requiring this to be done. In the end,
Zipporah realized the life of her husband was in danger and did what was right
and necessary.
You won’t understand the story if you don’t
understand that circumcision was established by God, in the time of Abraham, as
a sign of God’s covenant with Abraham and his descendents (Gen. 17:9-27; 21:4;
Jn. 7:22). Circumcision was not a
replacement for “faith,” even for Abraham (Rom. 4:7-12). It did not save him, but it was the
sign of the Abrahamic Covenant. For 40
years Moses had neglected God. He could
not serve God unless he honored the “covenant” relationship with God. Moses, particularly, would not be able to
lead Israel without satisfying this requirement. Further, the “firstborn” message Moses was to
deliver to Pharaoh (4:22-23) would have been pretty empty apart from this
obligation. God’s servants are not just
called to a holy life when “on duty;” the holy life of the servant gives
credence to the service of the servant.
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