Day 29: Moses Returns to Egypt

 Today's readings: Exodus 4-5, Leviticus 4, and Psalm 46.

I. Moses protests to God that he is not a good choice, saying that the Hebrews "will not believe me or listen to my voice" and even after being shown miracles by God, saying that he was "slow of speech and of tongue" (4:1-10). Basically, giving every excuse he could think of not to do what God wanted him to do. God persisted, telling Moses that He "will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak," but of course the latter pleaded with Him to "send, I pray, some other person" (4:11-13).

It's quite understandable that Scripture next tells us that "the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses." God tells Moses that He will speak to him and he will speak to Aaron, his brother, who will then speak to the people (4:14-17).

'Tis a good thing that Scripture says God is "slow to anger" (34:6-7), but clearly Moses was pushing it.

Moses stops his protesting, gathers up his kin, and heads off back to Egypt. God tells him what he is to say to Pharaoh, but warns him that the latter will not believe him even under divine threats (4:18-23).

Then an odd episode occurs "at a lodging place on the way" where God "sought to kill him" (4:24-26). The Ignatius Bible explains:

Original meaning obscure. Moses may have followed the Midianite custom of waiting to circumcise boys until just before marriage. If so, he neglected the Abrahamic covenant, which required newborn males to be circumcised on the eighth day after birth (Gen 17:9-13). Failure to observe this rite meant being "cut off" from the covenant people (Gen 17:14)... (p. 131)

Moses and Aaron meet, then convince the Hebrew people in Egypt of what God had commanded (4:27-31). They next meet with Pharaoh and deliver God's command to "let my people go," but he refuses (5:1-5). Angrily, he increases the burdens on the Hebrews, who react negatively to Moses and Aaron, who themselves turn to God, asking Him, "Why have you done this evil to the people?" (5:6-23). 

As readers, we know how this will all turn out, but for Moses, Aaron, and the Hebrew people, it was happening in real life, with the future uncertain.

II. The first three offerings were voluntary, but this fourth, for sin, is not. A listing of sins for which this mandatory sin offering must be given is outlined, requiring a bull, goat, or lamb (4:1-35). The Ignatius Bible comments on this:

The sin offering, which cleanses the worshipper of impurity, moral (4:20; 16:30), as well as ritual (12:6-7; 14:19), since both defile the Lord's sanctuary (16:33; 20:3). For this reason, it is sometimes called the purification offering. The law differs according to the offender's position and level of responsibility: a bull is offered for the high priest or the congregation (4:1-21), a goat for a tribal ruler (4:22-26), a female lamb or goat for a common citizen (4:27-35), and a pair of birds or a patch of flour for the poor (5:7-13)... (p. 184)

Given the detailed description of how these animals are to be offered, even down to "the fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails, and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them at the loins, and the appendage of the liver" (4:8-9) gives an idea of how serious God considers sin to be. It's as if these details are meant to disgust the sinner for what they have done and the cost for their sin, though this could probably be more the reaction of a modern person to an ancient practice. After all, most ancient religions I'm aware of practice animal, and sometimes human, sacrifices to their gods. Though I'm not sure many of the pagan ones went to such detail in their sacrifices as outlined in Leviticus.

III. Psalm 46 is one of praise for His defense of Jerusalem and the people of Israel, as can be seen in is deliverance of them time and time again.

"Be still, and know that I am God.

    I am exalted among the nations,

    I am exalted in the earth!"

The Lord of hosts is with us;

    the God of Jacob is our refuge. (46:10-11)

That's all for today!