God Called Moses… Then Tried to Kill Him? The Shocking Truth Behind Exodus 4:24-26

Imagine this: Yahweh has just called Moses to be the deliverer of Israel.

He’s given him signs, wonders, and a mission of epic proportions.

Then, out of nowhere, we read this shocking passage:

“And it came to pass on the way, at the encampment, that the Lord met him and sought to kill him. Then Zipporah took a sharp stone and cut off the foreskin of her son and cast it at Moses’ feet, and said, ‘Surely you are a husband of blood to me!’ So He let him go. Then she said, ‘You are a husband of blood!’—because of the circumcision.” (Exodus 4:24-26, NKJV)

Wait. What?

Yahweh sought to kill Moses? The same Moses He just called?

It’s a passage that confuses many readers, but when we dig deeper, we uncover a powerful truth—one that’s as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago.

The Root of the Problem: Disobedience

At the heart of this strange and terrifying moment lies an issue of obedience.

Moses, as a Hebrew, was well aware of Yahweh’s covenant with Abraham.

That covenant required that every male child be circumcised on the eighth day (Genesis 17:9-14).

This was not a minor detail—it was a sign of the covenant between Yahweh and His people.

To neglect circumcision was to reject Yahweh’s covenant itself.

But Moses had not circumcised his son.

Why?

The Bible doesn’t give an explicit reason, but we can make an educated guess.

Moses had spent forty years in Midian, living among a people who did not practice circumcision.

His wife, Zipporah, was a Midianite, and from her reaction in Exodus 4:25, it’s clear she wasn’t thrilled about the practice.

It’s possible that Moses, in an effort to keep peace in his home, neglected this command.

But Yahweh wasn’t going to let it slide.

Why Would Yahweh Seek to Kill Moses?

Think about it.

Moses was about to lead the nation of Israel. He was about to be Yahweh’s representative before Pharaoh. He was about to demand that an entire nation follow Yahweh’s commands.

Yet, in his own household, there was disobedience.

How could Moses lead Israel if he wasn’t even leading his own family in obedience to Yahweh’s covenant?

Yahweh was making something very clear: If Moses was going to be His instrument of deliverance, he had to obey fully. Not partially. Not when it was convenient. But fully.

This wasn’t about Yahweh being harsh. It was about His holiness. Yahweh wasn’t going to allow His chosen servant to go forward in compromise.

A Desperate Act of Obedience

Moses is either sick, paralyzed with fear, or incapacitated in some way—because Zipporah is the one who takes action.

She grabs a sharp stone, circumcises their son, and throws the foreskin at Moses’ feet, calling him a “husband of blood.”

Her reaction tells us that she didn’t like this ritual. Maybe she had resisted it all along. Maybe Moses had allowed her resistance to dictate his obedience. But now, in a moment of crisis, she finally did what should have been done years ago.

And instantly, Yahweh let Moses go.

The message was clear: Obedience matters.

What Does This Mean for Us Today?

You might be thinking, That’s an interesting Bible story, but what does it have to do with me?

A lot, actually.

1. Partial Obedience is Still Disobedience

Moses had obeyed Yahweh in big ways—leaving Midian, confronting Pharaoh, trusting Yahweh’s power. But he had neglected one command.

And that one command nearly cost him his life.

How many of us do the same? We serve in church, we pray, we read the Bible—but is there something Yahweh has told us to do that we’ve ignored? Maybe it’s forgiving someone. Maybe it’s giving up a sinful habit. Maybe it’s taking a bold step of faith.

What small act of disobedience in your life is holding back your calling?

2. You Can’t Lead Others if You’re Not Leading Your Own Household

Moses was about to lead Israel, but his own family was out of order.

Paul echoes this principle in the New Testament:

“For if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?” (1 Timothy 3:5, NKJV)

It’s easy to focus on leading others—at work, in ministry, in friendships. But Yahweh calls us to lead our own homes first.

Husbands, are you leading your family in righteousness?
Parents, are you teaching your children to walk in obedience?

Before we can be effective in public, we need to be faithful in private.

3. Yahweh’s Calling Comes with Responsibility

Moses had a high calling—but that calling required a high level of obedience.

We often pray, “Yahweh, use me!” But are we ready for the cost? Are we willing to obey when it’s uncomfortable? When it offends others? When it goes against the grain of society?

Moses learned that being chosen didn’t exempt him from obedience—it demanded it. The same is true for us.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Neglect the Small Things

This passage is a wake-up call. Yahweh is holy. His commands matter. If we want to be used by Him, we can’t afford to neglect obedience—even in the small things.

The good news? Moses learned his lesson. He went on to become one of the greatest leaders in history. Yahweh didn’t abandon him—He corrected him.

And He does the same with us.

So, let’s ask ourselves today:
🔹 Is there an area of partial obedience in my life?
🔹 Am I leading my home in righteousness?
🔹 Am I willing to obey Yahweh—even when it’s hard?

Because in the end, obedience unlocks our destiny.

What are your thoughts on this passage? Have you ever struggled with obedience in the “small” things? Let’s talk in the comments!

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