EXODUS 4:24-26

Q: Why had God decided to kill Moses? I've never understood this. I did not see an

 explanation given. Also, why did the circumcision of Moses' son change God's mind about killing him?

 

Brevard Childs: “Few texts contain more problems for the interpreter than these few verses which have

 continued to baffle throughout the centuries.” “These verses are among the most difficult in the Book

 of Exodus, not in terms of their translation...but in terms of their meaning and their location in this

 particular context. (John I. Durham, Exodus, p. 56) Nevertheless, there is a general consensus that

 Moses and/or his son had failed to be circumcised, in clear violation of God's explicit command in

 Genesis 17:9-14.

“Before the establishment of a central sanctuary, circumcision served as the main symbol of God's

 covenant with Israel and as a symbol, in turn, of Israel's commitment to keep the covenant.”

 (Dictionary of Biblical Imagery, p. 179)

 

 Renewal of this covenant was especially crucial at this point in history. “Compare the ceremonial

 circumcision of the generation born in the desert, before embarkation on the 'holy war' against Canaan

 (Joshua 5:7). Circumcision is a symbol of putting away all that is unpleasing to God, and of dedication

 to God for the task ahead.” (R. Alan Cole, Exodus, pp. 78-79) Thus, “God attacks Moses [probably

 through an illness] to prevent his attempting to carry out the divine commission while his household is

uncircumcised despite God's requirement for Israelites.” (NRSV Study Bible, p. 89).

 

Zipporah, a Midianite who appears to be more spiritually aware than her Jewish husband, remedies the

 deficiency by circumcising her son (and vicariously Moses also), thus averting God's just wrath.

 

Three other commentators may be cited who attempt to deal with this difficult story.

1. Brevard Childs: The child was circumcised by his mother because Moses did not do so. The foreskin

 was touched to the feet of the child (not Moses) to demonstrate that the circumcision was

 accomplished. The story is meant to stress the importance of circumcision for the people of Israel.

 

2. Walter Kaiser Jr.: Moses had neglected to perform the rite, perhaps in deference to his wife. God 

attacked him physically and his wife saved him by performing it herself. However, she gave Moses the

 foreskin and said “You are a bridegroom of blood to me” to indicate her disgust at the act.

 

3. John Durham: God attacked Moses because he had not been circumcised. Zipporah circumcised their

 son in his place instead because Moses otherwise would have been incapacitated and incapable of

 leading the people. By putting the foreskin on Moses' genitals, she was making this vicarious act

 obvious. Her phrase “bridegroom of blood” was an ancient formula used by her people, who practiced

 circumcision as a premarital rite.

 

4. Ronald B. Allen (Bibliotheca Sacra 153, pp. 259-269): Moses had an unpleasant close encounter with

 Yahweh (not described in the text) and was still feeling its effects. Yahweh was struggling with Moses 

but did not want to actually kill him. Any uncircumcised male was to be cut off from the people of God,

 and Moses needed to show obedience within his own family. He hadn't out of respect for his Midian

 wife's feelings. (There are hints of this in Genesis 4:25 indicating that an earlier child of Moses had in

 fact been circumcised.) After Zipporah completes the rite she angrily addresses the phrase “bloody

 bride-father” to God. At that point, God releases the grip he had on Moses (similar to Jacob wrestling

 with God or his angel).

 

Two comments concerning the placement of this strange story in its present location:

1. Moses has just finished expressing his fears to God concerning Pharaoh's response

    However, “it is the wrath of God (not Pharaoh) from which man needs protection.”

    (New Bible Commentary, p. 124)

2. There is also a foreshadowing of how events will end up. “Zipporah's quick action

    and the application of the blood of circumcision save Moses' life at the beginning of

    the story, as the blood of the passover will save all Israel at the end.” (NRSV Study

    Bible, p. 89)