When I had first read Exodus in different versions and came across chapter 4 verse 24, I did not understand why the Lord met Moses and sought to kill him. Perhaps some were given the revelation to see between the lines. But as I read the Amplified version, it was crystal clear.
Moses had a high calling. He was chosen to lead God's people out of Egypt. But on his way to Egypt with his family, Moses fate had almost turned out much different. As we read in verse 25, we can clearly see the reason why Moses might have been judged and killed by the Lord. It is apparent God must have told Moses to circumcise his two boys. Verse 25 says Moses had failed to circumcise one of his sons because his wife opposed to it. It appears after circumcising the first boy, the mother could not bear the pain of watching her son being circumcised and had opposed Moses from circumcising the second son.
Many of God's servants today can be on the road of their calling just as Moses was and many may not be on their road. But even if God's servants are on their road of calling or not, the question that may determine life or death is, "Are they FULLY OBEYING?" These scriptures show us that our calling will not protect us if we disobey. Especially, if we disobey God over our spouses, children, job, career, business, friends, money, comfort, education, our congregation/church, etc.
What is circumcision? A male baby born in Jewish tradition was to be circumcised on the EIGHTH Day. It represented a covenant between the baby and God. A covenant between God and man required blood and pain. The Lord, Jesus, paid the price of blood with His death. Now, the Lord requires our hearts to be circumcised to enter into His Glory. Circumcision represents pain. Paul said in Acts 14:22, we must go through much tribulation and suffering to enter the Kingdom of God. It is not an easy way. It is the way of the narrow road.
Moses' wife, Zipporah, could not stand the pain of her son's circumcision and fought to prevent the second one. How many of us have went the easy way in following God? How many of us still say we believe and we follow yet we have not FULLY OBEYED because it was just too painful to stay in His Fire to be purged? How many of us have compromised and given God terms and conditions for us to do His command or calling? God's people do not get struck from the randomness of life.
In 1 Kings 13, a man of God from Judah goes to the altar of Bethel to prophecy as commanded by the Lord. He was told by the Lord that he shall eat no bread or drink water or return by the way he came. However, on his way out from Bethel, he was intercepted by a local prophet who had lied to him in regards to staying and eating.
1 Kings 13:15-18 Then he said to him, Come home with me and eat bread.16He said, I may not return with you or go in with you, neither will I eat bread or drink water with you in this place.17For I was told by the word of the Lord, You shall not eat bread or drink water there or return by the way that you came.18He answered, I am a prophet also, as you are. And an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied to him.
Ironically, God had used the lying prophet to speak to His disobedient prophet that he was a dead man.
1 Kings 13:21-22 And he cried to the man of God who came from Judah, Thus says the Lord: Because you have disobeyed the word of the Lord and have not kept the command which the Lord your God commanded you, 22But have come back and have eaten bread and drunk water in the place of which the Lord said to you, Eat no bread and drink no water--your corpse shall not come to the tomb of your fathers.
What about in the NT? Will God still judge and strike down His servant or people as in the days of old for disobedience or rebellion? Has God changed?
In Acts chapter 5, we have Ananias and Sappira who had lied to the Holy Spirit and was struck. They had not only lied, it was because they had NOT kept their promise to God. The Lord will always come to collect. Jonah was in a dark belly and the only way to get out was to sacrifice with thanksgiving and pay his vow.
Acts 5:3-5 But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart that you should lie to and attempt to deceive the Holy Spirit, and should [in violation of your promise] withdraw secretly and appropriate to your own use part of the price from the sale of the land?4As long as it remained unsold, was it not still your own? And [even] after it was sold, was not [the money] at your disposal and under your control? Why then, is it that you have proposed and purposed in your heart to do this thing? [How could you have the heart to do such a deed?] You have not [simply] lied to men [playing false and showing yourself utterly deceitful] but to God.5Upon hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died. And great dread and terror took possession of all who heard of it.
Jonah 2:9-10 But as for me, I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that which I have vowed. Salvation and deliverance belong to the Lord!10And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.
In Acts 12, Herald is killed for not giving God Glory. Herod basked in his pride as he took in the praises of men. Herald like many Christians today steal His Glory. Herald was not only eaten worms but it represented his eternal torment with worms in hell.
Acts 12:21-23 On an appointed day Herod arrayed himself in his royal robes, took his seat upon [his] throne, and addressed an oration to them.22And the assembled people shouted, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man!23And at once an angel of the Lord smote him and cut him down, because he did not give God the glory (the preeminence and kingly majesty that belong to Him as the supreme Ruler); and he was eaten by worms and died.
There are many examples in the bible of God not only judging His people but literally striking and slewing them and individuals. In order for us to receive wisdom, we must return to the biblical Fear of God. The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom. This is the door to Wisdom for He is wisdom. Too many of His people do not Fear HIM for who He is. He is God. You must know the Full Counsel of God. We serve a KING OF KINGS!! Ask HIM to help you understand the magnitude of who you serve!
The bible has been given to us to know His character and the mistakes of His people from the past. We are such a privileged generation but we are also the laziest which does not take advantage of the abundance of information and freedom to seek HIM. We will answer to this!
Exodus 15:26 Saying, If you will diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord your God and will do what is right in His sight, and will listen to and obey His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon you which I brought upon the Egyptians, for I am the Lord Who heals you.
Do not make the same mistake as the saints of the OT who did not even know they were sinning against God. They did not even realize they were committing spiritual adultery and harlotry in most cases. Why must history continue to repeat. The Lord's heart grieves so much as men continue to repeat the mistakes of their forefathers. Ask the Lord to put His salve on the eyes and ears of your heart so you may perceive and understand. Stop saying you do not have the time!! Is the cares of the world more important than HIM? He is Returning! He is Returning with a Rod!!
Jeremiah 2:22-27 For though you wash yourself with lye and use much soap, yet your iniquity and guilt are still [upon you; you are] spotted, dirty, and stained before Me, says the Lord.23How can you say, I am not defiled; I have not gone after the Baals [other gods]? Look at your way in the valley; know what you have done. You are a restive young female camel [in the uncontrollable violence of her brute passion eagerly] running hither and thither,24Or [you have the untamed and reckless nature of] a wild donkey used to the desert, in her heat sniffing the wind [for the scent of a male]. In her mating season who can restrain her? No males seeking her need weary themselves; in her month they will find her [seeking them].25[Cease from your mad running after idols, from which you get nothing but bitter injury.] Keep your feet from being unshod and your throat from thirst. But you said, It is hopeless! For I have loved strangers and foreigners, and after them I will go. 26As the thief is brought to shame when he is caught, so shall the house of Israel be brought to shame--they, their kings, their princes, their priests, and their prophets--27[Inasmuch as] they say to a tree, You are my father, and to a stone, You gave me birth. For they have turned their backs to Me and not their faces; but in the time of their trouble, they say, Arise [O Lord] and save us!
Jeremiah 2:35 Yet you keep saying, I am innocent; surely His anger has turned away from Me. Behold, I will bring you to judgment and will plead against you because you say, I have not sinned.
Please do NOT take the Gospel of Jesus Christ for granted. Churches do not get shut down out of coincidence, randomness of life, or by the devil. We must obey the FULL Gospel of Jesus Christ otherwise compromise will lead to rejection. Use the Grace He is pouring down to return to your First Love for He is merciful.
May He has mercy on the Church of Laodicea.
1 Peter 4:17 (AMP) For the time [has arrived] for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will [be] the end of those who do not respect or believe or obey the good news (the Gospel) of God?
Fire of God!
Steve Yong Kim
December 20, 2011
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