Scripture
Exodus 4:24-26
24 At a lodging place on the way, the Lord met Moses[b] and was about to kill him. 25 But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin and touched Moses’ feet with it.[c] “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,” she said. 26 So the Lord let him alone. (At that time she said “bridegroom of blood,” referring to circumcision.)
Thoughts
Well, if this doesn’t make you pause… Just before this scene, God met Moses in the burning bush and established a relationship with him, then directed Moses to return to Egypt and perform miracles to persuade Pharaoh to free the Israelites. Now the very same God comes to where Moses is staying on his journey to Egypt and moves to kill him.
Why?
The clue is in Genesis 4, when God established his covenant with Abraham and all his descendants, with a requirement of circumcision for all males who are eight days old or older. Clearly Zipporah paid more attention to the requirements of the covenant with God than Moses, and recognized circumcision was not an option, something you did to get brownie points with God. Isaiah 6 is a good place to begin to comprehend where we stand with God, and this passage shows that Isaiah recognized who God is as well as anyone outside of Jesus.
There is no sliding into a relationship with God halfway to try and just get by. God requires holiness, God required Jesus to do what he did–for each and every one of us. From birth to crucifixion and then resurrection Jesus was and is essential for me to be in relationship with God.
Reflection
What do I think of when I think of God, Jehovah, the almighty one? Do I worship God as the scriptures describe him or do I create a safer, less god-like being to keep me from being intimidated, and from reckoning with how desperately I need the blood of Christ to cover me? What do I think of when I think of Jesus–do I understand his essential role in my life? Do I recognize that for me to live in relationship with the one who created me–God Almighty, requires submitting my life to Jesus, and keeping my heart submitted to him and him alone?
Personal Prayer
Father, forgive me for being careless with the sacrifice of Jesus, and diminishing your glory, your overwhelming holiness so I can feel comfortable living life how I want, rather than how you want. Help me cling to Jesus and Jesus alone as my protection, so I can come before you and walk with you. Transform me day by day into who you want me to be.
Shared Prayer Focus
Please pray that the Holy Spirit would convict us when we make God a safe supernatural pet, rather than the omnipotent creator, who was and is and shall evermore be. May we hunger to know Jesus more completely, and long to walk each day in the presence of our amazing heavenly Father.
Prayer Requests & Praise Reports
No matter how small, please reply with a praise report, and send any and all prayer needs!
