Ex 4:24- What is happening

[Qoeleth]

In Exodus 4:24, we are told the Yahwah tries to kill Moses:
“On the journey, when Moses had halted for the night, the LORD came to meet him and tries to kill him.”

What’s going on here??? It doesn’t seem to make sense…

 

[Reuben_J]

In Exodus 4:24, we are told the Yahwah tries to kill Moses:
“On the journey, when Moses had halted for the night, the LORD came to meet him and tries to kill him.”

What’s going on here??? It doesn’t seem to make sense…

There were things that God did in the OT that do make not sense in the NT. especially the killings.

In Ex 4:24, was it because Moses had not circumcised his son? Moses did not do that and it certainly was puzzling on Moses part. Perhaps he was not familiar with God’s law then considering his background which was spent mostly in Pharaoh’s palace. Or it could be due to his wife, a Midianite, influence? In order for him to deliver his people, Moses and his family had to follow God’s commandment completely. And the blessing of God came with circumcision, an OT law. It was an act of disobedience for Moses and in the OT the punishment for that is death.

 

[thistle]

In Exodus 4:24, we are told the Yahwah tries to kill Moses:
“On the journey, when Moses had halted for the night, the LORD came to meet him and tries to kill him.”

What’s going on here??? It doesn’t seem to make sense…

D-R Bible, Haydock Commentary:

Ver. 24. The Lord met him, and would have killed him. This was an angel representing the Lord, who treated Moses in this manner, for having neglected the circumcision of his younger son: which his wife understanding, circumcised her child upon the spot, upon which the angel let Moses go. (Challoner) — Both his children were born about this time. But Eliezer, the younger, had not been circumcised; and therefore remained under the power of the destroying angel. (Origen, contra Cels. v.) Others think the angel was going to kill Moses. (Calmet)

 

[capablanca911]

In Exodus 4:24, we are told the Yahwah tries to kill Moses:
“On the journey, when Moses had halted for the night, the LORD came to meet him and tries to kill him.”

What’s going on here??? It doesn’t seem to make sense…

Rabbi Rashi’s commentary states it was because of not circumcising the child as well.

on the way, in an inn and sought to put him to death: * Moses, because he had neglected to circumcise his son Eliezer. Because he neglected it, he was [to be] punished with death. It was taught in a Braitha: Rabbi Jose said: God forbid! Moses did not neglect it, but he reasoned: Shall I circumcise [him] and go forth on the road? It will be dangerous for the child for three days. Shall I circumcise [him] and wait three days? The Holy One, blessed be He, commanded me, “Go, return to Egypt.” [Moses hurried to Egypt intending to circumcise Eliezer upon his return.] Why [then] was he to be punished with death? Because first he busied himself with [the details of] his lodging. [This appears] in tractate Nedarim (31b)… *

sites.google.com/site/aquinasstudybible/home/exodus/rashi-on-exodus/chapter-2/chapter-3/chapter-4

 

[Shin]

It calls to mind the more contemporary sin neglecting to baptize one’s child.

 

[Qoeleth]

D-R Bible, Haydock Commentary:

Ver. 24. The Lord met him, and would have killed him. This was an angel representing the Lord, who treated Moses in this manner, for having neglected the circumcision of his younger son: which his wife understanding, circumcised her child upon the spot, upon which the angel let Moses go. (Challoner) — Both his children were born about this time. But Eliezer, the younger, had not been circumcised; and therefore remained under the power of the destroying angel. (Origen, contra Cels. v.) Others think the angel was going to kill Moses. (Calmet)

I see. I hadn’t linked the killing with the non-circumcision. Thnks for pointing that out.