Exodus 4:24–26

God Seeks to Kill Moses

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

When God Turns on His Own Leader: Covenant, Blood, and Obedience on the Road to Egypt

Moses—freshly commissioned by God, chosen to confront Pharaoh, destined to lead Israel out of slavery—is suddenly almost killed by the very God who sent him. No warning. No explanation. Just a midnight confrontation on the road and a frantic, bloody act by his wife that averts disaster. For many readers, this feels jarring, even disturbing. How can the God of deliverance become the God of threat in the same breath?

This scene unsettles us because it disrupts our assumptions about spiritual status. Moses is not a pagan rebel or an oppressor—he is God’s chosen instrument. And yet this passage makes a stark point: calling does not cancel obedience. Leadership does not excuse neglect. Covenant faithfulness is not optional, even for the most important person in the story. What looks like divine cruelty at first glance is actually covenant seriousness breaking through the narrative without apology.

This brief, cryptic episode forces us to wrestle with a sobering truth: God’s mission cannot be carried out by leaders who casually disregard His commands. Zipporah’s swift, uncomfortable obedience becomes the turning point, reminding us that faith is sometimes expressed not in speeches or miracles, but in urgent, costly action. This passage invites us to look beyond shock and ask a harder question—what happens when we assume God’s calling outweighs God’s commands?

Controversy:

•Obscure and abrupt narrative; difficult to understand context and motivation.

•God’s anger toward Moses seems extreme and puzzling.

•Cultural and theological significance of circumcision tied to covenant.

1. Why is this verse controversial, misunderstood, or debated?

•God appears to threaten His chosen servant.

•Language is cryptic; motivations and actions are unclear.

•Raises ethical questions about divine anger and human intervention.

2. What does it really mean in the bigger picture?

•Emphasizes the importance of obedience to God’s covenant (circumcision as sign of covenant with Abraham).

•Highlights that even leaders are accountable to God’s commands.

•Demonstrates the role of faithful intercession and quick action (Zipporah’s intervention).

3. How do we understand and apply it today?

•Principle: God calls for wholehearted obedience and covenant faithfulness.

•Spiritual insight: God values faithfulness over status or privilege.

•Application: Ensure personal and family faithfulness, not assuming spiritual privileges.

4. What is the purpose of it being in the Bible?

•To show seriousness of God’s covenant requirements.

•Demonstrates God’s justice and mercy together.

•Highlights the faithfulness of God and proactive obedience (Zipporah’s decisive act).

5. What does it teach about God, Christianity, and life?

•God is holy, just, and concerned with covenant obedience.

•Christianity emphasizes obedience, covenant faithfulness, and intercession.

•Life requires prioritizing spiritual responsibilities and taking action when needed.

6. How would it have been understood originally?

•Israelite audience would recognize the importance of circumcision as a covenant sign.

•Zipporah’s action demonstrated quick compliance with divine mandate, preventing disaster.

•Serves as a moral and theological warning about covenant obedience.

7. Is it as controversial as it looks?

•Controversy mostly arises for modern readers unfamiliar with ancient covenant practices.

•Original context emphasizes obedience, covenant, and God’s holiness, not capricious violence.

8. How does it fit a loving God and the rest of Scripture?

•God’s actions are just and covenant-focused, not arbitrary.

•Fits with Scripture’s emphasis on holiness, covenant loyalty, and divine protection.

•Zipporah’s obedience demonstrates faithful human response to God’s commands.

9. Cultural, historical, or linguistic factors

•Circumcision was the sign of God’s covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17).

•“Bridegroom of blood” may reflect ancient idiomatic expression relating to covenant life and obligation.

•Ancient Near Eastern context emphasized ritual compliance and family covenant responsibilities.

10. Related passages

•Genesis 17 — God’s covenant with Abraham, circumcision commanded

•Joshua 5:2–9 — Circumcision before entering the Promised Land

•Exodus 12:48–49 — Covenant and circumcision in relation to Passover

•Leviticus 12 — Covenant obligations in family life

11. Literary context

•Part of Moses’ call narrative (Exodus 3–4).

•Highlights preparatory steps and covenant obedience before God’s mission.

•Narrative is terse but emphasizes divine holiness and human responsibility.

12. Underlying principle

•God requires covenant faithfulness and obedience, even from leaders.

•Quick, decisive action in obedience can avert divine judgment.

•Faithful response in family and covenant matters is essential.

13. Historical interpretation

•Jewish tradition: Zipporah’s circumcision prevented Moses’ death; demonstrates the power of ritual obedience.

•Christian commentators: emphasizes obedience and covenant faithfulness; God honours human compliance.

•Modern readings focus on moral and theological lessons rather than sensational interpretation.

14. Practical guidance today

•Obedience to God’s commands and spiritual principles is non-negotiable.

•Faithfulness in family, covenant, and community responsibilities matters.

•Acting decisively in faith can avert spiritual and moral consequences.

15. Common misconceptions

•God is arbitrary or angry without cause.

•Circumcision itself is “magical” or the only key to God’s favour.

•Zipporah’s action is secondary; in fact, it is central to God’s covenant justice in this narrative.

16. Human nature and societal insight

•Humans may assume privilege or status exempts them from obedience.

•Faithfulness, humility, and quick action are necessary to align with divine will.

•Even leaders are accountable to moral and covenantal obligations.

✅ Summary

Exodus 4:24–26 teaches:

•God’s covenant requires faithfulness, obedience, and seriousness even for His chosen leaders.

•Zipporah’s decisive act shows the importance of faithful human response.

•Controversy arises from modern moral lens, but the original message emphasizes covenant obedience, divine holiness, and human responsibility.