Expert: Quentin Parker - 3/12/2010

Question
In Exodus 4:24 why did God try to kill Moses?

Answer
Hi Tiffani,

Thank-you for your question.

It seems – even though the context the verse you refer to in Exodus 4:24 does not afford us much insight – that the Lord sought to kill Moses because Moses had not obeyed God’s commands regarding circumcision. Moses, as an Israelite, was required by God to circumcise his male offspring (see Genesis 17). It seems that Moses’ son had never been circumcised on the eighth day after his birth, as God has instructed, and so Moses was flouting God’s covenant and living in direct disobedience to God’s commands. It is no doubt as a result of this disobedience that God was angry with Moses and sought to kill him along his journey to Egypt.  However Zipporah, Moses’ wife, circumcised her son herself and thus God’s wrath was appeased.

Thanks again for your question, Tiffani. I hope this is helpful to you.

God bless!
Quentin Parker