Reading: Exodus 4:1-9 and 24, 26.

Moses is not sure the Egyptians will believe he was sent by God, so the LORD gives him two signs. He changes Moses staff into a snake (vs 3) and makes his hand leprous (vs 6). Moses is to use these two miracles in Egypt, adding the ability to turn water in to blood.

When Moses and his family go to Egypt God seeks to kill Moses because he had not circumcised his second son. Why such a heavy threat? Soon Moses will lead the nation out of Egypt and be God’s prophet. He has to mediate between God and the people, give them the law, teach them many things from God, often call Israel to repentance, institute the priesthood, appoint judges and do many other tasks. Moses will be invested with much trust and authority for this.

However, Moses has failed to obey God in not circumcising his son. He is not faithful to God’s command that “Every male child among you shall be circumcised” (Genesis 17:10). God had even added that any child not circumcised “shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant” (Genesis 17:14). This made the Lord angry; Moses’ unfaithfulness made him unfit for his leadership role. He first had to repent and circumcise his son. His wife realised this and immediately circumcised their son.

The message for today is clear. All who have authority in the church, such as parents and office bearers need to be very careful and faithful in all things, or face God’s wrath. However, no-one is perfect so God’s wrath remains. Only Jesus Christ is perfectly faithful. In Him God looks at us as though we do our tasks perfectly. Let us thank God every day for Jesus Christ’s work and God’s grace.  But this does not reduce our responsibility to do our best to be faithful. We must seek this in prayer.

Key text: Ex 4:24 “And it came to pass on the way, at the encampment, that the LORD met him and sought to kill him.”

Question: Do you think often enough about whether you are faithful to God’s will? What do you do when your faithfulness is not according to God’s standard?