Theme: Covenant Faithfulness and Obedience

Theme: Covenant Faithfulness and Obedience.

Breakdown of Exodus 1-4 in Brief

1. Israel’s Oppression in Egypt (Exodus 1)

The Israelites multiply in Egypt after Joseph’s death.

A new Pharaoh, who does not know Joseph, fears their growing numbers.

He enslaves them and orders the killing of all Hebrew baby boys.

Moses is born and hidden by his mother, Jochebed.

2. Moses' Early Life & Call (Exodus 2-4)

a. Moses’ Birth and Escape (Exodus 2:1-25)

Moses’ mother places him in a basket on the Nile.

Pharaoh’s daughter finds and adopts him.

As an adult, Moses kills an Egyptian and flees to Midian.

He marries Zipporah, Jethro’s daughter.

God hears Israel’s cries for deliverance.

b. God Calls Moses (Exodus 3:1-12)

God appears in a burning bush and calls Moses to free Israel.

Moses doubts, but God promises to be with him.

c. God Reveals His Name (Exodus 3:13-22)

God declares His name: “I AM WHO I AM” (YHWH).

He instructs Moses to tell Pharaoh to release Israel.

d. Signs & Moses’ Excuses (Exodus 4:1-17)

Moses doubts, so God gives three signs (staff to snake, leprous hand, water to blood).

Moses complains of being a poor speaker, so God appoints Aaron to help.

e. Moses Returns to Egypt (Exodus 4:18-23)

Moses gets Jethro’s permission to go.

God warns him that Pharaoh will resist and that Egypt’s firstborn will be struck down.

The Deadly Encounter: A Story from Exodus 4:24-26

As Moses journeyed toward Egypt with his wife, Zipporah, and their son, night fell, and they stopped to rest. But something terrifying happened. The Lord came upon Moses, ready to put him to death!

Zipporah quickly realized what was wrong—their son was not circumcised. She knew that circumcision was a sign of God’s covenant with Abraham, and failing to do it brought serious consequences. With no time to waste, she took a sharp flint knife and circumcised their son Gershom right there.

She then touched Moses' feet with the bloody foreskin and, in frustration or sorrow, said, “You are a bridegroom of blood to me.”

"त्यसपछि परमप्रभुले उनलाई छोडिदिनुभयो। त्यसैले तिनले भनिन्, ‘रगतको दुलाहा’ किनभने खतना गरिएको थियो।"

At that moment, God relented and let Moses go. The danger had passed, but the lesson was clear: Moses had to obey God fully before leading His people

The issue stems from Moses’ neglect in fulfilling the covenant obligation of circumcising his son—a sign of the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 17:10-14). By failing in this act, Moses jeopardized his mission, emphasizing how obedience and faithfulness to God’s covenant are paramount.

Similar Incident: King Saul’s Disobedience

A parallel is found in 1 Samuel 15, where Saul’s partial obedience to God’s command to destroy the Amalekites led to severe consequences. Saul spared King Agag and kept the best livestock, claiming to sacrifice them to God. The prophet Samuel rebukes him: “To obey is better than sacrifice...” (1 Samuel 15:22). Just as Moses was held accountable, Saul’s disregard for complete obedience resulted in the loss of his kingship.

The takeaway is clear: covenant faithfulness isn’t optional. Obedience reflects trust in God’s authority and a commitment to His divine purposes.

God’s Justice and Mercy

In Exodus 4:24-26, God’s justice is displayed in His confrontation with Moses.

However, the intervention by Zipporah, who circumcises their son and touches Moses’ feet with the foreskin, signifies God’s mercy. T

his act averts Moses’ death and reinstates his standing as the leader of God’s people.

Similar Incident: David and Uzzah

Another example of God’s justice and mercy is found in 2 Samuel 6:6-7, where Uzzah touches the Ark of the Covenant and is struck dead for his irreverence.

While this demonstrates God’s justice, we also see His mercy in later events, as David successfully brings the Ark to Jerusalem by following God’s instructions.

These moments reveal that God’s justice is uncompromising, yet His mercy prevails when there is repentance and alignment with His will.

Prophetic Symbolism

The event in Exodus 4:24 foreshadows key spiritual truths:

Circumcision as a Symbol of the Heart: Moses’ failure points to the need for internal transformation, not just outward rituals.

Paul later expounds on this in Romans 2:29: “Circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit.”

यहूदी त्‍यो हो, जो भित्री रूपले यहूदी हो, र साँचो खतनाचाहिँ हृदयको कुरो हो, यो आत्‍मिक कुरा हो, लिखित व्‍यवस्‍थाको कुरा होइन

Blood as Atonement: Atonement in Nepali is "प्रायश्चित" (Prayaschit).: Zipporah’s act of touching Moses with the blood of circumcision symbolizes the redemptive power of blood, pointing to Christ’s ultimate sacrifice for humanity’s redemption.

Preparedness for Divine Mission: Before Moses could lead Israel, he had to reconcile his own spiritual obligations. Similarly, Christ emphasized readiness in carrying out God’s work, as seen in passages like Matthew 25:1-13 (the Parable of the Ten Virgins).

Flint Knife as the Word of God

A flint knife is a sharp cutting tool made from flint, a hard type of stone. In ancient times, flint was used to make knives, arrowheads, and other tools because it could be easily chipped into a sharp edge.

Flint was considered a pure material, suitable for sacred acts.

In Hebrews 4:12, the Bible says: "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

Just as a flint knife was used for circumcision, the Word of God cuts away sin and disobedience from our hearts.

The sharpness of a flint knife can be compared to how God’s Word convicts, corrects, and purifies us.

Foreskin as Disobedience

In Jeremiah 4:4, God commands: "Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, remove the foreskin of your hearts, you people of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, or my wrath will flare up like fire."

Here, the foreskin represents sin, stubbornness, and disobedience.

Just as physical circumcision was required under the Old Covenant, spiritual circumcision (a change of heart) is required in Christ.

Application

Just like Zipporah had to use the flint knife to remove the foreskin to stop God's judgment, we must allow God’s Word to remove disobedience from our lives.

Without circumcision, Moses was under judgment; similarly, without spiritual circumcision, our hearts remain impure before God.

This comparison aligns perfectly with Scripture. Do you want to develop this into a sermon or Bible study?

Conclusion: Covenant Fulfilled Through Christ

As we reflect on the gravity of covenant faithfulness and God’s justice and mercy, we see the culmination of these themes in the Lord’s Supper—a sacred act of remembrance of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice. Just as Moses was required to fulfill the covenant through circumcision, Christ fulfilled the covenant for all humanity through His blood shed on the cross.

Prophetic Fulfillment

The blood of circumcision in Exodus 4:25 points prophetically to the blood of Christ in the new covenant (Luke 22:20).

While circumcision was a physical sign of obedience under the old covenant, the Lord’s Supper symbolizes the spiritual covenant of grace, sealed by Christ’s sacrifice.

This reminds us that covenant faithfulness is no longer about outward rituals but an inward transformation of the heart.

God’s Justice and Mercy in the Cross

In Christ’s death, we see the justice of God satisfied—sin punished, righteousness upheld.

Yet, through the cross, God’s mercy shines as He extends forgiveness and reconciliation to all who believe.

The bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper are symbols of this mercy, reminding us of our need for repentance and alignment with God’s purposes.

Final Call to the Table

As we partake in the Lord’s Supper, let it be a moment to renew our commitment to covenant faithfulness.

Let the bread and wine remind us of the ultimate sacrifice made on our behalf, calling us to live in obedience and trust. Just as Moses had to prepare himself to fulfill God’s mission,

let this act of communion prepare us to carry out the mission God has called each of us to.

Self-Examination BEFORE Lord’s Supper

Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 11:28-29: “Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.” This involves reflecting on your relationship with God and others:

2. Repentance and Confession

Before partaking, seek God’s forgiveness for any sins. Repentance clears the heart and mind, allowing you to participate with a clean conscience.

1 John 1:9 assures us: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

3. Reconciliation

Jesus emphasizes the importance of reconciliation in Matthew 5:23-24: “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First, go and be reconciled...” The Lord’s Supper is a moment to affirm unity within the body of Christ.

4. Reflecting on the Sacrifice of Christ

Spend time meditating on the significance of the bread and the cup—symbols of Christ’s body and blood, given for the remission of sins. Reflect on His immense love, the price of redemption, and the covenant of grace established through His sacrifice.

5. Renewing Commitment

The Lord’s Supper is also an opportunity to renew your commitment to Christ and His mission.

Resolve to walk in obedience and faithfulness, just as Moses was called to align himself with God’s covenant before his mission.

6. Thanksgiving and Worship

Approach the table with a heart full of gratitude, offering thanks for Christ’s sacrifice and God’s abundant grace. Praise and worship are fitting responses to the gift of salvation.