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A Strange Thing Happened in the Inn

 A strange thing happened in the Inn

Reading in Exodus 4 there is this bizarre scene. Look at it and see what you think. 


Exodus 4:24 And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met (Moses) him, and sought to kill him. 25 Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. 26 So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.


What is going on here? My word. This is the only time that we see a woman performing circumcision. And it seems to happen in such a strange way. 


God commands Moses to return to Egypt to begin the process that would lead to the exodus. Thus, the 400 years of slavery were about to end in an exhibition of God's power over an array of Egyptian gods. 


As Moses is returning, he and his family stop at a rest área. Then, out of the blue, God gets angry with his chosen liberator and wants to kill him. But Zipora springs into action and cuts off some foreskin, touching Moses' feet with the bloody mess. This stuff is not for the weak of stomach. So how do we make sense of this passage? 


There are a variety of opinions about the meaning of the text. However, there is a common thought. Most believe that Moses had neglected the right of circumcision which was the defining symbol that God had given to Abraham. This sign set the chosen apart from the rest of the nations. 


Just now, Moses was returning as a type of Savior. He needed to be right in every aspect of his life with God, so drastic action was taken. 


The lesson for us is that God takes his covenants seriously. He wants us to be right with him in every way. We cannot ignore our life in Christ and have the relationship that we must have to properly serve our father. So, don't be negligent! 

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