Why did God seek to kill Moses in Exodus?

Background of the Passage (Exodus 4:24–26)

Exodus 4:24–26 reads:

“24 Now at a lodging place along the way, the LORD met Moses 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. ‘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 the circumcision.)”

This brief yet perplexing event appears after God commissions Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. The abrupt shift in divine favor—from calling Moses to confront Pharaoh to threatening Moses’ life—raises questions about God’s character and Moses’ obedience.

The Importance of Covenant Faithfulness

The broader biblical context explains that circumcision was the sign of the covenant between God and Abraham’s descendants (Genesis 17:10–14). Moses, poised to represent God before Pharaoh, was obligated to keep this covenant in his own household. By neglecting to circumcise his son, Moses effectively stood in breach of that covenant.

• Genesis 17:14 underscores the seriousness: “But if any male is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, he will be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.”

Failing to honor this covenant sign threatened to undermine Moses’ testimony and leadership. The severity of Moses’ lapse becomes clear: his disobedience could endanger his mission to speak on God’s behalf.

Why Did God Seek to Kill Moses?

1. Covenant Holiness: Scripture repeatedly emphasizes God’s holiness; no one serving as His representative may persist in direct disobedience (cf. Leviticus 10:1–3). Moses’ negligence in not circumcising his son violated a direct command given explicitly to the patriarch Abraham.

2. Leadership Integrity: Moses was about to demand of Pharaoh and the Israelites that they submit to God’s commands. Had he wilfully ignored a command pivotal to Israel’s identity, it would cast doubt on his fitness to lead. In biblical theology, leaders must first obey in their own households (cf. 1 Timothy 3:4–5 for the principle of household order).

3. Public vs. Personal Obedience: God’s standards remain consistent whether deeds are public or private. Moses had already interacted with God at the burning bush (Exodus 3), and there God’s authority was established. By not following the circumcision command in his immediate family, Moses risked undermining everything God had entrusted to him.

Role of Zipporah in the Narrative

Zipporah’s swift action in circumcising her son illustrates the urgency and necessity of fulfilling the covenant sign. Her reference to Moses as a “bridegroom of blood” (Exodus 4:25–26) underscores the life-or-death seriousness of the covenant. Once Zipporah performed the circumcision, God “let him alone” (v. 26), showing that obedience brought about immediate deliverance from impending judgment.

This moment demonstrates that, although Moses is the leader chosen by God, others in his household play a crucial role in spiritual faithfulness. Zipporah’s intervention saved Moses’ life and restored covenantal obedience.

Consistency with God’s Character

1. Justice and Mercy: From a broader scriptural perspective, God’s readiness to punish Moses is consistent with His just nature: “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil” (Habakkuk 1:13). Yet the swift response to Zipporah’s obedience also displays God’s mercy, as He immediately relents once the breach is mended.

2. Divine Calling and Holiness: Throughout Scripture, when God calls individuals to represent Him, He holds them to a higher standard (cf. James 3:1). This principle is vividly displayed in Moses’ life; before confronting Pharaoh, Moses had to align himself fully with God’s covenant.

Theological and Practical Lessons

1. Obedience Precedes Service: One cannot effectively serve God before yielding to His instructions. Moses’ near-death experience underscores that purposeful disobedience in “smaller” commands can have far-reaching consequences in “larger” ministries.

2. Family Alignment With God’s Word: Even when one individual is called to accomplish a significant task for God, the entire household’s alignment with divine commandments is essential. Moses’ mission was bigger than himself; it involved the rescue of a nation. Yet he still needed fidelity in personal and family matters.

3. Seriousness of Neglect: What might seem a minor detail—such as failing to carry out circumcision—essentially challenged God’s covenant. The lesson for believers is to consider no command negligible.

4. God’s Faithfulness to His Covenant: If God did not uphold His covenant terms with the one He appointed to lead Israel in the Exodus, it would undermine the covenant’s permanence and seriousness. By insisting on Moses’ compliance, God shows His unwavering commitment to the covenant promise He made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Looking Ahead in the Exodus Narrative

After this dramatic event, Moses proceeds to Egypt with a clear understanding that partial obedience is not an option. His subsequent leadership, though marked with struggles, rests on the foundation of God’s power and covenantal faithfulness. Later events—such as the Passover, the crossing of the Red Sea, and the giving of the Law at Sinai—reinforce that God’s covenant demands reverence and complete obedience.

In parallel, the divine plan for Israel’s redemption from Egypt prefigures greater redemption through salvation. The seriousness with which the covenant of circumcision is treated here foreshadows the seriousness with which God’s people must regard all divine commands, culminating in the redemptive work of Christ.

Conclusion

God’s decision to confront Moses, even to the point of seeking to kill him, underscores the importance of covenant fidelity and the seriousness of willful disobedience. The quick intervention by Zipporah revealed the urgency and severity of the matter.

Ultimately, this episode highlights that even God’s chosen instruments must walk in humble submission to His commands. By rectifying his negligence, Moses was reaffirmed in his calling to lead Israel. The lesson resonates with the broader teaching of Scripture: alignment with God’s revealed will is nonnegotiable, and His covenant demands obedience for the sake of His holiness, His redemptive purposes, and His glory.