Exodus 4:20 And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand. 24 And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the Lord met him, and sought to kill him. 25 Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. 26 So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.
This passage of scripture pertaining to the sin of Zipporah offers us a rare insight into the seriousness with which God views the commands He has given us. In this instance it was Moses' wife who took the lead in forbidding that their son should be circumcised, in harmony with the plain instructions God had previously given in this matter. Zipporah obviously did not agree with the rite of circumcision, for it involved the shedding of a little blood, which would then result in some level of discomfort to their son, for several days. And so she moved upon her husband Moses to agree to refraining from the requirement of God on the grounds that she thought it was inhumane, and therefore unnecessary.
Moses also conceded to her request and went along with the plan of refusing obedience with his wife, but suddenly out of nowhere, an angel of God appears in the way with a sword drawn in his hand, and in a threatening manner seeks to slay Moses, who immediately remembers the sin that was cherished, and his wife, for fear of her husband's sudden death, complies, albeit with a remonstrance on her part.
This particular incident was not recorded as a mistake but is deliberately included as an integral part of the Bible narrative, with the intent that the living may know that serving God is never to be based on feelings or emotions, as is so often the case in modern Christianity. Furthermore, we must as Christians be reconciled to the sobering truth that not everything God bids us do will we be in agreement with, and some of His commands will no doubt put us at odds, with family and friends, co-workers and schoolmates alike. That's why Christ warned us and His disciples about the potential for severe disturbances within the family circle, if some members choose to serve God in spirit and in truth, whilst others do not. Let's read:
Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
Accepting Christ as Lord and Savior of our lives does not guarantee that it will be smooth sailing from that moment onward, and therefore the decision to follow him should never be contingent upon what family members think, or the opinion of the popular majority. God has no called any of us to popularity, nor does He ever instruct us in the Bible to make the scriptures subjective, in order that our own ideas and opinions might bear sway over what is plainly written. Whenever our concepts and ideas clash with what is written in the scriptures, it is our sacred duty to put our opinions in the garbage can, and run with the word of God, for it's only by so doing that any person can truly serve The God of heaven.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which teaches us the preeminence the word of God should have in our lives at all times, and it is His will that we be humble enough to follow where He leads, without the myriads of questions and reasoning to the contrary which often are brought into the equation of whether or not to obey His word. Let's read:
2nd Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!