Moses, Zipporah, Circumcision: The Lord Who Will Not Be Ignored

 "The Lord Who Will Not Be Ignored"

Text: Exodus 4:18–31

The Strange Passage

Let’s be honest—Exodus 4:18–31 is one of the strangest, most jarring passages in the Old Testament. One moment, Moses is on his way to obey God’s call, and the next, God seeks to kill him. Then Zipporah, Moses' wife, steps in and circumcises their son, touching Moses with the foreskin and saying, “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me.” What’s going on here?

We might be tempted to skip past passages like this—but we must remember that every word of Scripture is inspired and profitable (2 Tim. 3:16). So today, we will walk through this story, consider its background, and find its message for us today.

The Journey Begins (vv. 18–20): Obedience with Loose Ends

Moses finally agrees to obey God’s call. He asks Jethro for permission to return to Egypt, loads his family on a donkey, and heads out. Outwardly, everything seems in order.

But there’s a major unresolved issue: Moses has not circumcised his son.

According to Genesis 17:10–14, circumcision was the covenant sign for Abraham’s descendants. God said any male who was not circumcised would be cut off from his people. For Moses to approach the God of the covenant while neglecting the covenant sign was serious disobedience—especially as the one God had chosen to lead the covenant people.

Historical Note:
Some scholars suggest that Moses may have compromised with Zipporah, a Midianite, on this issue. Midianites practiced circumcision, but not necessarily in the same way or at the same time as the Hebrews. There may have been tension in their marriage over this. Perhaps Moses avoided the conflict—but in doing so, he also avoided obedience.

The Lord’s Confrontation (v. 24): God Seeks to Kill Moses

This is shocking. God, who had just sent Moses to Egypt, now comes to kill him? The Hebrew here is ambiguous—it could mean "God sought to put him to death," and the subject (Moses or the son) is not fully clear. But the context points to Moses being in danger.

Why? Because God is holy, and His servants must not treat His covenant lightly. Moses cannot represent God before Pharaoh while openly ignoring God’s covenant requirements in his own family.

Lesson:
Partial obedience is not obedience. God is patient, but He is also just. He is not to be trifled with, even by His chosen leaders.

Zipporah’s Bold Action (vv. 25–26): A Wife Steps In

Zipporah sees the seriousness of the moment. She circumcises their son and touches Moses (or perhaps the child) with the foreskin, saying, “You are a bridegroom of blood to me.” This act seems to satisfy God's requirement, and the danger passes.

What does this tell us?

• Zipporah may not have liked the Hebrew custom, but she knew what had to be done.

• Her action saves Moses’ life and allows him to fulfill God’s mission.

• Her words, though perhaps spoken in frustration or grief, recognize the blood covenant that defines Israel's relationship with God.

Historical Insight:
In the ancient Near East, covenant signs were not optional customs—they were binding and serious. By circumcising the child, Zipporah ensured her family was under God’s covenant protection.

God Provides Help (vv. 27–31): Aaron and Obedient Faith

The rest of the passage quickly shifts tone. God sends Aaron to meet Moses. The brothers reunite, and together they present God’s message and signs to the elders of Israel. The people believe and worship—at least for now.

This shows us something powerful: Once the issue of obedience is resolved, God moves forward. He provides help. He affirms His plan. He begins the redemption of His people.

What Can We Learn?

1. God Takes Obedience Seriously
   God does not ignore private disobedience, especially from those called to lead. What Moses left undone nearly cost him everything. We must not delay in obeying God in both public and private matters.

2. Our Families Matter in Ministry
   Moses’ household was part of his calling. Ministry doesn’t exempt us from living in obedience at home—it begins there. How we lead our families matters to God.

3. God’s Mercy Is Amazing
   Though the Lord sought to confront Moses, He also allowed for repentance and provided a way forward. God doesn’t cast us aside when we fail. He disciplines those He loves—and then restores.

4. Obedience Clears the Way for Mission
   Once the issue is resolved, the story accelerates toward God’s purpose: the deliverance of His people. When we deal with what’s holding us back, we can move freely in God’s mission.

"Bridegroom of Blood"

This passage reminds us that God’s covenant is sealed in blood. For Moses, it was the blood of circumcision. For us, it’s the blood of Jesus. We do not stand before God on our merit, but by the covenant of grace established through Christ.

But that grace is not a license for disobedience. It is a call to live fully surrendered lives, in our homes, our ministries, and our hearts.

Let us respond with reverence, repentance, and readiness—so that, like Moses, we may be used powerfully in God’s plan.

Prayer:

"Lord, You are holy and faithful. Teach us to honor Your covenant in every area of our lives. Help us not to delay obedience, and give us courage to lead with integrity—starting in our own homes. Thank You for the blood of Christ, which covers our sins and calls us into Your mission. In His name we pray, Amen."

More: EXODUS - Sabbath School Lesson 2 - The Burning Bush