LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL
By Pastor Mensa Otabil
Friday 29th August 2025
THE PRICE OF DISOBEDIENCE
Scripture Reading: Exodus 4
And it came to pass on the way, at the encampment, that the Lord met him and sought to kill him. Then Zipporah took a sharp stone and cut off the foreskin of her son and cast it at Moses’ feet, and said, “Surely you are a husband of blood to me Exodus 4:24
This verse shows how important it is to be right with God when He calls us. Moses has just had a life-changing encounter with God where the Lord commissions him. At this time, we can say that Moses is in God’s good books – he is God’s man. The Lord has told Moses what He would do to Pharaoh if he refused to let Israel go.
Dramatically, the scene shifts, and moods change. God wants to kill Moses. Moses? Yes, Moses! The same one that the Lord called and commissioned; the same Moses that God had given signs to show to Pharaoh and Israel; and words of liberation to set His people free. Why would God want to kill Moses?
The passage does not tell us how Moses knew that God wanted to kill him. He probably fell ill suddenly and linked his illness to God; or he came under some attack that indicated that God was against him. Whatever befell Moses was such that he couldn’t act. He might have indicated something to his wife to do for him to be well.
Moses’ wife, Zipporah, got out a sharp instrument and circumcised one of their sons. That act brought relief to Moses but annoyed Zipporah. Based on Zipporah’s act we conclude that God was angry with Moses for not honouring His covenant with Israel. If Moses were to be Israel’s liberator, his obedience to God must be complete. Disobedience to God is costly.
After this incident, Zipporah returned to her father in Midian and Moses went to Egypt alone.
God has no favourites. He expects all His children, whether they are Popes, Bishops, Priests, or lay people, to obey Him. He does not give favours to the people He calls. He demands the same obedience for those in the pulpit and those in the pews.
These are sobering thoughts for all of us who desire for God to use us.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I desire to obey you in all areas of my life. Help me to be always mindful of the demands of your high calling. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
