A Life or Death Obedience: The Circumcision That Almost Cost Moses Everything

🗓️ Week 2 – Thursday (July 10)

 A Life or Death Obedience: The Circumcision That Almost Cost Moses Everything

(Based on Exodus 4:18–31)

It’s one of the most jarring moments in Moses’ story.

After everything — the burning bush, the miracles, the divine calling — we suddenly read this:

“The LORD met him and was about to kill him.” — Exodus 4:24 (NIV)

Wait… what?

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⚔️ What Went Wrong on the Road to Egypt?

Moses had finally said yes to God. He was on his way to confront Pharaoh. And then, without warning, his life was in immediate danger — not from Pharaoh, but from God Himself.

The reason?
Moses had neglected a known command.

He hadn’t circumcised his youngest son — a key requirement of the covenant God made with Abraham (Genesis 17:10–11).

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🔑 Why Was This So Serious?

Because Moses wasn’t just any man.
He was God’s chosen leader — the one who would represent divine authority before Pharaoh and lead God’s people to freedom. But how could he call others to obey when he himself was ignoring a clear command?

“Such a neglect on the part of their chosen leader could not but lessen the force of the divine precepts upon the people.”
— Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 255

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💉 Zipporah Steps In — and a Covenant Is Sealed in Blood

In a dramatic moment, Moses’ wife Zipporah takes swift action. She circumcises their son herself and touches Moses with the bloody foreskin. It’s a shocking scene, but it reveals something crucial:

Obedience matters to God. Even delayed obedience has consequences.

The act of circumcision wasn’t just ritual — it symbolized belonging, commitment, and covenant.

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🧠 What Does This Mean for Us Today?

No, God isn’t calling us to circumcise our sons today to be faithful. But the principle remains:

Neglecting what we know God has told us to do places us in spiritual danger.

This story is a warning — not out of fear, but out of urgency.

• Is there something you’ve been delaying, even though you know it’s right?

• Is there an area of spiritual compromise or avoidance that needs attention?

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🙏 God’s Grace Is Patient — But Not Passive

Moses went on to become the great leader God called him to be — but only after confronting his compromise.

Obedience isn’t about perfection. It’s about surrender.
And sometimes, the first step of faith is repenting for what we’ve neglected — and doing what we should have done long ago.

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💭 Reflection Questions:

• What’s one thing you know God has asked you to do — but you’ve been avoiding?

• Are there “small” compromises in your walk that could weaken your witness to others?