Exodus 4:24 - Meaning and Application

Moses was now on his way to Egypt, and we are told how God met him in anger (Exodus 4:24-26). This is a difficult passage, and many have written well about it. We will try to draw out its meaning in a helpful way.

First, we see Moses’ sin, which was failing to circumcise his son. This may have come from his being joined too closely to a Midianite wife, who may have been too easy with her child, while Moses was too easy with her. We must watch our hearts carefully, lest love for any person become stronger than our love for God and draw us away from duty to him. Eli, for example, was charged with honoring his sons more than God (1 Samuel 2:29), and Jesus also warns us about this danger (Matthew 10:37).

Even good people can grow cold in zeal for God and duty when they are cut off for a long time from the company of the faithful. Solitude has some benefits, but it rarely makes up for losing Christian fellowship.

Second, we see God’s displeasure against Moses. God met him and, likely through an angel with a sword in hand, sought to kill him. This was a sudden change. Not long before, God had spoken with Moses as a friend and trusted him with a great task, and now he comes against him as an enemy.

Omissions are sins, and they will come under judgment, especially when a person neglects the covenant sign, the mark that confirms God’s promise. Such neglect shows that a person does not value the covenant promises as he should, and may not be pleased with its terms. If someone makes an agreement but refuses to seal and confirm it, we have reason to doubt that he truly wants to keep it. God notices the sins of his own people, and he is greatly displeased with them. If they neglect their duty, they should expect their consciences to trouble them, and perhaps outward troubles as well. Some think Moses’ illness here may have been one such trouble.

Third, we see the quick performance of the duty that had been neglected. Moses’ son had to be circumcised. Since Moses himself was unable to do it, Zipporah, Moses’ Midianite wife, did it in this emergency. Her words may have been spoken in anger, showing dislike for the ordinance itself, or at least for having it carried out on such a young child during travel. Others think her words were proper, either as a solemn way of giving the child to God by the covenant of circumcision, or as thanks to God for sparing her husband and, in a sense, giving her husband back to her. I cannot say for certain which is right.

We do learn two things. When God shows us what is wrong in our lives, we must act quickly to put it right, especially by returning to duties we have neglected. Also, turning from sin is necessary if we want God’s judgments removed. Every rod of discipline calls us to return to the One who is striking us.

Fourth, Moses was released after this. God let him go, the sickness passed, the destroying angel withdrew, and all was well. Zipporah, however, could not forget her fright, and she called Moses a bloody husband because he had made her circumcise the child. After this, it is likely that Moses sent them back to his father-in-law, so they would not further disturb him.

When we return to God in the path of duty, he returns to us in mercy. Remove the cause, and the effect will stop. We should also be ready to bear it if our zeal for God and his commands is misunderstood or put down by people who ought to understand better. David’s zeal was misunderstood by Michal, and ours may be as well. But if this is to be thought vile, if this is to be called bloody, then we must be even more willing to bear it.

When we have special work to do for God, we should keep away as much as possible from anything likely to hinder us. Let the dead bury their dead, but follow me.

Next, we see how Aaron met Moses in love (Exodus 4:27-28). God sent Aaron to meet Moses and told him where to find him, in the wilderness toward Midian. We should recognize God’s hand in the joyful meeting of family and friends. Aaron hurried in obedience to God and in love to his brother, and met him at the mountain of God, where God had met Moses before. They embraced warmly. The more they saw God’s direct hand in bringing them together, the sweeter their meeting was. They kissed each other not only as brothers and old acquaintances, but as a sign that they fully agreed in the work they had been called to do.

Moses then told Aaron all about the message he had received from God, including the instructions and signs given with it. What we know from God should be shared for the good of others. Those who serve God together in the same work should speak openly with one another, so they may understand each other clearly and fully.

Finally, we see how the elders of Israel met Moses in faith and obedience. When Moses and Aaron first delivered their message in Egypt, spoke the words they had been told to speak, and backed them up with the signs they had been given, they were received better than they had expected (Exodus 4:29-31). The people believed, just as God had said they would (Exodus 3:18), because they knew that no one could do such works unless God was with him. They gave glory to God. They bowed their heads and worshiped, showing humble thanks that God had raised up a deliverer for them, and also showing their willing readiness to follow the orders and methods by which God would bring about their rescue.