When God Interrupts the Called

-

 

Scripture

Exodus 4:24–26 (NIV)

At a lodging place on the way, the LORD met Moses and was about to kill him. 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. So the LORD let him alone.

Observation

This is one of the most startling moments in Moses’ story.

Moses has already been called by God. He has seen the burning bush. He has heard God’s name. He has been given signs and a mission. He is finally on his way to Egypt to confront Pharaoh and lead God’s people out of slavery.

And then — suddenly — God interrupts him.

The text says the LORD met Moses and “sought to kill him.” No explanation is given in the moment, but the resolution comes quickly: Moses’ son had not been circumcised, the covenant sign God had established with Abraham. Zipporah performs the circumcision, and the danger passes.

The implication is clear. Moses was called — but not fully aligned.

Whatever the reason for the delay — cultural tension, family resistance, avoidance of conflict — Moses had neglected obedience in his own household. And God treats that omission as serious.

What’s striking is that God does not confront Moses in Egypt, on a public stage, or in front of Pharaoh. He confronts him privately, on the road, before the mission begins.

Before Moses can demand obedience from others, God demands it from him.

Application

This passage reminds us of something uncomfortable but important:
being called by God does not exempt us from obedience.

Sometimes we assume that because God has given us direction, purpose, or responsibility, the details will sort themselves out later. But this moment in Exodus tells us the opposite. God is deeply concerned with alignment — especially in the hidden places of our lives.

God interrupts Moses not to revoke the call, but to refine the person carrying it.

This wasn’t about perfection. It was about priority.

God would not allow even the closest relationship in Moses’ life to outrank covenant faithfulness. Not because relationships are unimportant — but because obedience to God must come first if the calling is to be sustained.

This passage invites us to ask:

  • Where might I be delaying obedience because it’s uncomfortable or relationally difficult?

  • Are there areas of my life where my public faith doesn’t match my private practice?

  • What might God be interrupting — not to stop me, but to prepare me?

God’s interruptions are often merciful. They stop us before compromise becomes collapse.

Prayer

God,
Thank You for loving me enough to interrupt me. When I am eager to move forward but slow to obey, help me see Your correction as grace, not rejection. Show me where my life needs alignment with Your will, especially in the hidden and uncomfortable places. Shape my heart so that my calling is carried with faithfulness, humility, and trust in You above all else.
Amen.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Desert Formation

-
  Scripture Exodus 3:1–2 (NIV) Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Observation In Exodus 2, Moses believed he was doing the right thing. He saw an Egyptian slave master beating a Hebrew and intervened — violently. Moses acted out of a sense of justice. Stephen later tells us that Moses thought his people would recognize that God was using him to rescue them (Acts 7:25). Moses wasn’t indifferent to suffering; he wanted to help. But his attempt at justice cost him everything. Instead of becoming a deliverer, Moses became a fugitive. He fled Egypt and ended up in Midian, where he took on a job that Egyptians despised most: a shepherd . Earlier in Genesis, we learn that shepherds were considered the lowest of professions in Egyptian culture (Genesis 46:34). Moses w...
Read more

“I Am the LORD”: Faith in the Middle of Discouragement

-
  Exodus 6:9–12 In Exodus 6, it’s easy to assume that God is only proving Himself to Pharaoh. After all, Pharaoh is the loudest opponent and the most obvious obstacle. But when we slow down and read carefully, we see something deeper unfolding. God isn’t just revealing His power to Pharaoh. He is revealing Himself to Israel . And even to Moses . After Moses delivers God’s promise of freedom, Scripture tells us: “But they did not listen to Moses, because of their discouragement and cruel bondage.” (Exodus 6:9) That verse hits close to home. The Israelites didn’t refuse to listen because they were rebellious or disobedient. They didn’t listen because they were discouraged . Years of suffering had worn them down. Hope felt dangerous. Freedom sounded unrealistic. Their bondage was so heavy that even God’s promises couldn’t break through the fog of despair. And Moses? The man who had already seen miracles. The man who had spoken with God face to face. Even he becomes discour...
Read more