John Calvin Commentary Exodus 4:24

"And it came to pass on the way at the lodging-place, that Jehovah met him, and sought to kill him." — Exodus 4:24 (ASV)

And it came to pass by the way. The expression, “the Lord met him,” is used here in a negative sense, meaning an adverse meeting or hostile encounter, as if Moses were to say that the hand of the Lord was against him to interrupt his journey. In what form He appeared we do not know, except that the words quite plainly imply that Moses was assured of His anger, so that he was aware that his death was near. For if he had not been instructed by revelation or by an angel, it would not have profited him at all to be shown the impending danger.

Nevertheless, the cause for which he perceived God was so angry with him is not expressed, except that we may gather it from what follows. For why would Zipporah have taken a sharp stone or knife and circumcised her son, if she had not known that God was offended at his uncircumcision?

Certain Rabbis, then, are unwise in their conjecture that Moses had provoked God’s vengeance against himself on this occasion because he took his wife and children with him, considering them a useless burden that would likely encumber him. They also pronounce too boldly on the nature of his scourge, namely, that he was afflicted by a severe disease that endangered his life. Let it be sufficient for us to know that he was terrified by the approach of certain destruction, and that, at the same time, the cause of his affliction was shown to him, so that he hastened to seek a remedy. For, as we have just said, it would never have otherwise occurred to him or his wife to circumcise the child to appease God’s wrath. It will appear a little further on that God was, as it were, propitiated by this offering, since He withdrew His hand and took away the tokens of His wrath.

I therefore unhesitatingly conclude that vengeance was declared against Moses for his negligence, which was connected with still heavier sins. For he had not omitted his son’s circumcision from forgetfulness, ignorance, or carelessness only, but because he was aware that it was disagreeable either to his wife or to his father-in-law. Therefore, lest his wife should quarrel with him, or his father-in-law trouble him, he preferred to gratify them rather than to give occasion for divisions, enmity, or disturbance.

Meanwhile, however, for the sake of human approval, he neglected to obey God. This deceitful action was no light offense, since nothing is more intolerable than to defraud God of His due obedience in order to please men. There was also a mixture of distrust and ingratitude in it; for, if the favor of God had carried its due weight with him, he would not have been withheld by any fear from this pious duty.

Let us then learn from this to use reverently the sacraments, which are the seals of God’s grace, lest He should severely avenge our contempt of them. At the same time, we should remember that the external profession of piety and the worship of God is a sacrifice so pleasing to God that He will not allow us to neglect diligently testifying to it as if it were a matter of small importance. Not that He cares for the ceremonies themselves, but because He would have honor paid to the pledges of His grace, in proportion to the benefit that is received from them. On this account Paul testifies that a pestilence raged among the Corinthians when the Lord’s Supper was profaned (1 Corinthians 11:30), because it was an act of impiety that so precious a treasure should be lightly esteemed.

But it is worthy of observation that while Moses had two sons with him, mention is made here of only one, from which the probable conjecture is deduced that one of the two was circumcised.⁶¹ Some think that Eliezer, the eldest, was not circumcised, because Moses had not dared to confess his religion so soon and to awaken hatred on account of it. But I would rather imagine that when he had experienced the hostility of his family in regard to one son, he omitted it in the case of the second to avoid the anger of his wife or his father-in-law. For if, in the course of time, he had gained more courage, he would not have hesitated to correct the former omission; but, worn out by domestic quarrels, he at last departed from his duty.

By this example we are warned that we daily need God’s help to support our strength, lest our courage should fail us and our zeal gradually grow cold or lukewarm. For Satan is constantly devising many temptations by which he may either destroy or lessen our diligence. Therefore, whoever desires to be approved by God in the whole course of his life must prepare the armor and the strength for enduring this contest. For if Moses was deficient in perseverance, we will be equally, or even more, liable to the same failure, unless the Lord upholds us by His Spirit.

⁶¹ The sense demands this translation, and the French Version confirms it; though the name is there omitted. As I presume there is no reason to doubt that Eliezer was the youngest, (compare Exodus 18:3, 4, with , with 1 Chronicles 23:15,) an accidental substitution of one name for the other must have probably been made.,) an accidental substitution of one name for the other must have probably been made.