God's Not Playing

Now it came about

at the lodging place on the way

that the LORD met him

and sought to put him to death. 

Exodus 4:24

God has just given Moses this great commission to return to Egypt and bring out the children of Israel. God has been patient with his fear and insecurities. God has reminded him over and over that He would be with him. God has allowed Aaron to help him. Yet now we read that God seeks him to put him to death. What has happened?

Disobedience and disregard for the Word of God is what has happened. Now first of all we can not read this like a movie script. It is not like God is sneaking up behind Moses with a dagger and is about to slit his throat. That picture, my friend, does not line up with the character of our God.

Most likely God has allowed Moses to become sick and weak, and he is becoming sicker and weaker. This sickness and weakness comes from Moses' blatant disregard to the covenant of God. This way of God has not changed.    

Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord

in an unworthy manner,

shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.

But a man must examine himself,

and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

For he who eats and drinks,

eats and drinks judgment to himself

if he does not judge the body rightly.

For this reason many among you are weak and sick,

and a number sleep.

But if we judged ourselves rightly,

we would not be judged.

But when we are judged,

we are disciplined by the Lord

so that we will not be condemned along with the world

1 Corinthians 11:27-32    

In Genesis 17:11 God gave Abraham circumcision as a sign of the covenant that was between God and Abraham and Abraham's descendants. This sign was to be performed on every male at eight days old. Those not circumcised where not in the covenant.

Moses had been hidden by his mother for three months and when the daughter of Pharoah drew him out of the water she knew immediately that he was a Hebrew. How did she know? Circumcision.

Moses was well aware of the importance of this ritual. Yet he had neglected to circumcise his own son. Possibly because he had not stood his ground against his Midianite wife.

As we look through the Scripture we see time and time again how a man of God has stumbled and fallen over putting the desires of a woman over the Word of God. This, precious one, goes all the way back to the beginning and it will continue until the end of the age.

We read in Revelation 3:20 of how Jesus is rebuking the church of Thyatira because they have tolerated "the woman Jezebel" and God warns that He is going to throw those who tolerate her onto a bed of sickness.

Ladies we must be very careful to not let our emotions lead above our devotion to the Word of God. Men you must be very careful to not allow your desires to lead over your calling to be the spiritual head of your household. We must stand firm on the Word of God and live in obedience to it. Our hearts will deceive us, but the Word of God is solid and true.

We read that Zipporah, the wife of Moses, circumcises their son in haste right before the LORD puts Moses to death. Zipporah throws the foreskin of her son at the feet of Moses and she declares "You are indeed a bridegroom of blood to me." (Exodus 4:25)

I believe Zipporah did this for two reasons. One, I believe Moses was too weak to do it. Two, I believe she was demonstrating her willingness to submit to the God of Abraham and the God of her husband.

Oh precious one, our God is serious about His covenants. He is serious about His Word. He is not playing with us. He does not care what position you hold in this world. He does not hold one person above or under another. His standard never changes and His standard is obedience to His every Word.

God is not legalistic. Legalism comes from man adding traditions and philosophies and extra rules to God's Word. God's commands are not too hard for us, "In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome," (1 John 5:3) and He will help us to walk in obedience when obedience is our desire.

Oh Father,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You that I have this solid ground to stand on. The ways of man and the ways of religion change, but Your Word stays the same. Traditions and rituals of man can enslave me, but obedience to Your Word sets me free. Oh Father help me to constantly examine myself and judge myself, so that You do not have to. May I walk in Your ordinances and commands with a willing heart and a worthy manner. For You are worthy of my obedience.

My Jesus, it is in Your name I pray,

Amen