Bible Commentary On Exodus 4 24 26 – The Mysterious Encounter With God

The passage of Exodus 4 24 26 is one of the most puzzling and controversial moments in the Bible. It describes an event where God seemingly attempts to kill Moses, but his wife, Zipporah, intervenes by circumcising their son. The brevity and abruptness of this passage have led to various interpretations throughout history.

This Bible commentary on Exodus 4 24 26 aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the text, exploring its theological, historical, and spiritual significance. It also seeks to answer key questions:

Why did God seek to kill Moses?
What was the role of Zipporah in saving him?
What does this passage teach about God’s covenant and obedience?

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Table of Contents

Understanding Exodus 4 24 26

Let’s first examine the passage in the English Standard Version (ESV):

“At a lodging place on the way, the Lord met him and sought to put him to death. Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son’s foreskin and touched Moses’ feet with it and said, ‘Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me!’ So he let him alone. It was then that she said, ‘A bridegroom of blood,’ because of the circumcision.”

At first glance, this passage appears cryptic. Why would God seek to kill Moses right after commissioning him to deliver Israel from Egypt? Why did Zipporah’s action stop this attack? To understand the meaning, we must consider the Bible commentary on Exodus 4 24 26 in its full biblical and historical context.

1. The Context of the Passage

To grasp the deeper meaning of this passage, we must look at the broader biblical context.

Moses had just received God’s command at the burning bush (Exodus 3-4) to return to Egypt and lead the Israelites out of bondage. He was on his way with his wife, Zipporah, and their sons when this sudden, life-threatening encounter took place.

A key detail missing in the narrative is that Moses had apparently failed to circumcise his son. Circumcision was a critical requirement of God’s covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17:9-14), marking the Israelites as God’s chosen people. God explicitly stated that any uncircumcised male would be cut off from His people.

By neglecting this covenantal obligation, Moses had placed himself in direct violation of God’s command. This failure was a serious issue, especially because Moses was about to take on the role of Israel’s spiritual leader. How could he lead God’s people while disregarding one of the most fundamental signs of the covenant?

2. Why Did God Seek to Kill Moses?

The Bible commentary on Exodus 4 24 26 suggests that Moses’ life was in danger because of his failure to circumcise his son.

There are different interpretations of what exactly happened:

Divine Judgment for Covenant Violation – God’s actions may have been a way of enforcing the covenant’s stipulations. If even Moses, God’s chosen prophet, failed to uphold the covenant, how could Israel be expected to follow?
Spiritual Unpreparedness – God had called Moses for a great mission, but he needed to be fully aligned with God’s commands before he could lead the Israelites.
A Test of Obedience – Some scholars believe this event was meant to test Moses’ faithfulness before he could fulfill his divine calling.

Regardless of the interpretation, the Bible commentary on Exodus 4 24 26 makes it clear that God took covenantal obedience seriously, even for Moses.

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3. Zipporah’s Role A Wife’s Bold Intervention

One of the most striking aspects of this passage is Zipporah’s decisive action. She quickly circumcised their son, using a flint knife, and then touched Moses’ feet (or possibly God’s presence) with the foreskin.

Why did she do this?

She Recognized the Seriousness of the Situation – Zipporah understood that God’s wrath was upon Moses due to their son’s uncircumcision.
She Took Immediate Action – Instead of questioning or delaying, she performed the circumcision herself.
She Used a Flint Knife – Flint knives were traditionally used for circumcision, symbolizing obedience to the covenant.
She Spoke a Cryptic Phrase: “Bridegroom of Blood” – This phrase has puzzled scholars, but it likely refers to the blood of circumcision as a life-saving act, signifying that Moses was now properly aligned with God’s covenant.

Zipporah’s intervention saved Moses’ life and ensured that he could continue his mission. However, this event may have also caused tension between them. Shortly after this, Moses sent Zipporah and their sons back to Midian (Exodus 18:2), possibly indicating a separation.

4. Theological Lessons from Exodus 4 24 26

This Bible commentary on Exodus 4 24 26 highlights several important theological themes:

A. Obedience to God’s Commands is Essential

Moses had been chosen for a great mission, yet even he was not exempt from following God’s laws. This passage underscores the importance of complete obedience to God.

B. Circumcision as a Sign of the Covenant

Circumcision was not just a ritual—it was a sign of belonging to God’s people. The passage reaffirms that neglecting God’s covenant can lead to serious consequences.

C. God’s Holiness and Justice

This passage reminds us that God is holy and demands faithfulness from His people. Even though Moses was God’s chosen servant, he was not above divine discipline.

D. The Role of Women in God’s Plan

Zipporah’s role in this story is significant. Despite being a Midianite, she recognized the importance of circumcision and took immediate action. Her courage and quick thinking saved Moses’ life, showing that God can use anyone to fulfill His divine purposes.

Also Read Moses the Shepherd A Deep Dive into Exodus 2:11-23

5. Application for Today

The Bible commentary on Exodus 4 24 26 provides valuable lessons for modern believers:

Spiritual leaders must lead by example. Just as Moses needed to obey God’s commands before leading Israel, today’s leaders must live in obedience to God.
God’s covenant is serious. Just as circumcision was a sign of commitment, Christians are called to live in faithfulness under the new covenant of Christ.
Sometimes, others must step in to help us fulfill God’s plan. Zipporah’s intervention reminds us that God can use family, friends, or even strangers to help us align with His will.

Conclusion

Exodus 4:24-26 is a profound and challenging passage, revealing the seriousness of God’s covenant and the necessity of obedience. Through this Bible commentary on Exodus 4 24 26, we see that even Moses had to align himself with God’s commands before fulfilling his divine mission.

This passage serves as a reminder that obedience to God is non-negotiable, and His mercy is available when we repent and take corrective action. It also emphasizes the role of faith, obedience, and divine justice in our spiritual journey.

By studying passages like Exodus 4 24 26, we gain a deeper understanding of God’s expectations and how we can align our lives with His will.

People Also Ask

What happens in Exodus 4 24 26?

In this passage, God seeks to kill Moses at a lodging place on his journey to Egypt. However, his wife, Zipporah, quickly circumcises their son and touches Moses’ feet with the foreskin, saying, “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me!” This act stops God’s wrath, and Moses’ life is spared.

Why did God try to kill Moses?

The Bible commentary on Exodus 4 24 26 suggests that God’s wrath was due to Moses’ failure to circumcise his son. Circumcision was a sign of God’s covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17:9-14), and Moses, as the chosen leader of Israel, was expected to uphold it. His neglect of this command put him in violation of God’s law, making him unfit to lead.

Why was circumcision so important in this passage?

Circumcision was the outward sign of the covenant between God and Israel. Any uncircumcised male was considered outside of God’s covenant. Moses’ failure to circumcise his son meant he had not fully committed to God’s commands, which was unacceptable for someone about to lead God’s people.

What does Zipporah’s action signify?

Zipporah, realizing that Moses’ disobedience had placed him in danger, took immediate action to circumcise their son. By touching Moses’ feet with the foreskin, she symbolically transferred the obedience required by God, ensuring that the covenant was honored and Moses’ life was spared.