A profound identity: the cut that mattered

 

                                                           

 A Profound Identity 

 In our last blog post, Jethro farewelled Moses and Zipporah because God had called Moses to represent the Hebrew people before Pharaoh and deliver them from Egypt. He agreed after God promised to be with him. During forty years of desert life, Moses developed survival skills and patience. Perhaps he discovered God’s grandeur under the stars and experienced God’s presence in the wide spaces, under the scorching sun, and during long chilly nights. Yet at eighty, this was his home. Moses had lost touch with his people and the Egyptian court. How would he represent the Hebrews? God warned Moses that Pharaoh would harden his heart. He’d learn leadership and humility while he persevered and trusted God to speak through him and deliver the Hebrews.

       Moses, Zipporah, and their two sons arrived at a lodging place, but God met Moses and threatened to kill him. Why? Hadn’t God promised that Moses would lead the Hebrews? God had turned Moses’ staff into a snake, and it became God’s staff, symbolizing his power. Hadn’t Moses already submitted to God? 

He hadn’t circumcised his son. Zipporah cut off her son’s foreskin and touched Moses’ feet with it. He was her bridegroom of blood. 

Obedience is paramount to God. Four centuries ago, God instructed Abraham to circumcise Isaac. When Abraham and Sarah wearied of waiting on God, Abraham had relations with Sarah’s servant, and Ishmael was born. God hadn’t chosen him or his descendants to be the Messiah’s ancestors because that privilege would belong to Isaac. God commanded Abraham to circumcise every male in his household and to pass on the tradition. As God’s chosen people, he judged Abraham’s sin, but God claimed his offspring with the personal mark of circumcision.

 In desperation, Zipporah rescued her husband from death. Until Moses circumcised his son, he wasn’t a Hebrew, and Moses could not represent the people with a divided household. 

God sent Aaron, Moses’s brother, to meet him on Mount Horeb, God’s mountain, and they were delighted to be together again. They gathered the Israelite elders, and Aaron explained the message God had given message Moses, who performed miracles to prove God sent him. Pharaoh's oppression of the Hebrews was concerning to God, and everyone bowed down in worship.

 But what does this violent, strange moment mean to the modern reader? Are these ancient events relevant to us? Is circumcision barbaric? It is still practiced.

In Paul’s day, Jewish Christians insisted Gentiles should be circumcised to fulfil the Mosaic law, but we can no longer approach God through the law. Everyone has broken it, and one disobedient act bans us from God’s presence.

He has seen our sins and suffering, just as he saw Pharaoh’s oppression of the Hebrews, he came down, met with Moses and rescued the Hebrews. God sent his Son, Jesus, to rescue us from hell, and he suffered the punishment we deserved, taking our sin upon himself and enduring God’s judgment. Moses’s suffering son reminds us our salvation came at tremendous cost to God’s Son. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. The old life must die before the new life can flourish.

This event from Moses' life reminds those who identify as Christians to wear the marks of true faith in Christ. Some have taught that our outward appearance should set us apart by placing undue emphasis on clothing and hairstyles. Humanity looks at outward appearance, but God knows our inner thoughts and motives. Moses needed to depend humbly on God. If we’re a follower of Jesus, we need to love each other, be compassionate, be unashamed to stand firm in our faith and stand with other Christians in defence of Christ. By our words and works, our community will recognize we’re Christians. If anything in our lives contradicts that, we need to confess it and receive God’s forgiveness, just as Moses had to submit to God when his son was circumcised. If we belong to Christ, he is our identity. Our purpose is to honor and represent him.

Age is no barrier at God’s School of Life. Whether we’re eight or eighty, we won’t graduate until we go to heaven, where we will be transformed into Christ-like perfection.

 Imagine! A new body, a new mind, and all our failures behind us!

Though trials, troublesome people, pain and suffering are awful, we can choose to lean on Jesus for courage, kindness and wisdom, growing stronger in our faith rather than rebel against it. When we submit to God’s discipline, we’re yoked to Jesus, who carries the load, and we’ll be loving, forgiving, and patient.

Which do we choose? Does our outward appearance and inner spiritual life tally? Will others see Jesus in us? We may need to cut off an unhealthy habit or attitude. It will be painful, but God’s blessings will more than compensate, and we’ll honor him above ourselves.

 After this incident over his son’s circumcision, Moses understood obedience to God, and he walked in humble faith. He would not tremble before the people or Pharaoh. God was his strength and guide. Let’s not crumble under pressure. Instead, let’s draw on God’s endless resources, coming to terms with the tough stuff- God has allowed it as a teaching tool for blessing.

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you. Hebrews 12:5.