Exodus 4 questions
By Derrick | May 21, 2008
Post questions on Exodus 4 here. Thanks to my lovely bride for reminding me to put this up, sorry it’s late.
Topics: Exodus |
2 Responses to “Exodus 4 questions”
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May 22nd, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Two questions…
In verse 24, why would God seek to put Moses to death and how does that relate to his son’s circumcision?
Where is God’s “breaking point” as far as his anger towards Moses? Its clear that when he brings Aaron into the picture that he must be somewhat fed up with him. Or maybe he’s not angry at all??
May 28th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Good question about verse 24. I’ll try to address that in Sunday’s sermon. If I don’t answer the question adequately feel free to bring it up again.
Regarding God’s “breaking point”, I’m not entirely sure how to answer the question. We should not conceive of God as getting exasperated, as we might do when we lose patience. God’s anger is always perfect, not the result of impatience but a response to unrighteousness. However, it does appear that God is willing to answer Moses’ initial questions but eventually does become angry, as the text clearly indicates. What I tried to suggest Sunday was that in chapter 4 Moses’ questions turned from being legitimate to being the result of unbelief and unwillingness. In response to Moses’ unbelief God grants three signs, but it is in response to Moses’ unwillingness that God becomes angry. It seems that when Moses’ questions turn into excuses that God reaches his “breaking point,” if it’s fair to characterize his response that way.
Aaron’s involvement is interesting as well, for it seems in part a gracious act on God’s part, but it also seems to be possibly disciplinary (the text does not clearly state this, but later on Aaron does cause problems for Moses). It is also interesting that God in his anger does not destroy Moses, but rather overcomes his unwillingness and ultimately uses him anyway (perhaps with some discipline, if one takes Aaron’s involvement in that way).