Exodus 4:24Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Psalm declares, "His foundation is on the mountains of the saints. The Lord loveth the gates of Zion" (Psalms 86:2). This introduction does not clarify the identity of those associated with the foundations mentioned. Given that it proceeds with "the Lord loveth the gates of Zion," it suggests that these foundations pertain either to the Lord or to Zion. It seems more plausible that the reference pertains to the foundations of Zion, understood here as a city’s foundation. However, the gender of the pronoun *eius* may vary, reflecting masculine, feminine, or neuter forms; in Greek, the feminine is *autus*, while masculine and neuter use *autou*. Thus, based on the Greek interpretation, this speaks to "the foundations of the Lord," meaning the structures the Lord has established, corroborated by the statement, "The Lord buildeth Jerusalem" (Psalms 146:2). Yet, prior to the phrase "the foundations thereof in the holy mountains," neither Zion nor the Lord had been referenced. The text also indicates, even before mentioning the child, that the angel "met him and sought to put him to death," implying further understanding of the identity involved. Should one contend that this reference pertains to Moses, such a viewpoint should not be readily dismissed. The subsequent explanation merits comprehension regarding the assertion that the angel, therefore, declined to slay any of them, as the woman exclaimed, "The blood of my son's circumcision is stopped." The statement does not detail, "Departed from him because she had circumcised the child," but rather, "The blood of my son's circumcision stopped." This phrasing—emphasizing 'stopped' rather than 'shed'—suggests a significant sacrament, if I may say so.

It seems clear to those who grasp the historical accounts, based on previous discussions, that a progression of virtues is revealed through the successive words that follow the connection of historical revelations. There's a material and limited understanding in the teachings of any wise generation, but what endures once the veil is lifted possesses Israelite nobility. For instance, outward wisdom may claim that the soul is immortal—this represents holy lineage. Yet, to imply that the soul shifts from one body to another, transforming from verbal to non-verbal essence—this reflects a carnal and foreign state of uncircumcision.

Similar issues arise in many areas; mentality may assert the existence of God while perceiving Him materially. It may acknowledge Him as Creator yet believe He requires matter for His creations; it agrees He is omnipotent and benevolent but frequently succumbs to the constraints of fate. If we were to recount in detail how the essential truths of common sense become tainted with ludicrous additions, we’d find that if these distortions are eliminated, the Angel of God will show mercy to us, rejoicing in the authentic generation of such truths.

Historical accounts support this assertion, as after their departure from Egypt, once they had crossed the Red Sea and approached Mount Sinai, Moses' father-in-law came to meet him, accompanied by his wife and their two sons. The narrative reveals that Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, approached Zipporah, Moses’ spouse, after her release, and then journeyed to Moses in the wilderness (Exodus 18:2-5). Furthermore, the angel presented an additional warning, revealing a drawn sword. In light of Moses' fear of Pharaoh, which he expressed on several occasions, asking, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh king of Egypt?" (Ex. 3:11), and requesting God to select another leader (Ex. 4:13), he also lamented, "I am slow of speech and slow of tongue" (Ex. 4:10). The angel countered, admonishing him with the intention of instilling greater fear by invoking the authority of the sword, as if to convey, "If you fear Pharaoh, you should be even more fearful of me, the one who can strike you without warning."

In response, one who approaches the intricate verses of the Holy Scriptures with reverence and seeks to unveil the spiritual meaning hidden within the text is likely to gain all understanding (Proverbs 8:9). For such a seeker will find no hindrance in pursuing divine truth. We will set aside the historical context of Moses’ journey and instead delve into the spiritual implications of this account, as its essence continues to resonate throughout our lives.

The wilderness, from which Moses is dispatched to lead the children of Israel, symbolizes human nature, the material world, or a state free from desire. In this state, the mind, enlightened through contemplation, receives from God the sacred mandate to liberate from Egypt, which signifies the flesh and sensory experiences, the divine insights struggling against the passions of the body.

Entrusted with this noble service, the mind, in conjunction with wisdom—like a devoted spouse—and guided by pious aspirations, will naturally pursue the path of virtue. This journey demands constant progress; stagnation in virtue begets vice. When the mind becomes entangled by material distractions emerging on either side of the path, even the most righteous thoughts and practices can become tarnished and debased. Consequently, the inner voice of conscience, acting like an angel, admonishes and threatens with spiritual death, accentuating that such threats arise when one falters on the path of virtue, rendering thoughts ineffective.

When faced with this inner turmoil, the mind’s partner, wisdom, engages in a kind of circumcision, analogous to Zipporah using a stone—an emblem of faith—to purify the thoughts tainted by sensuality. The Scripture observes: "The blood of the circumcision of the son has become old,” stating that the passionate life, characterized by futile dreams and movements, ceases once the impure thoughts have been cleansed by faith and wisdom. Following this purification, the conscience's rebuke calms, akin to an angel chastising the errant mind for its misdirected thoughts.

Indeed, the journey of virtue is accompanied by numerous holy angels—embodying divine wisdom and paths that yield various forms of virtue, alongside invisible angels prompting us towards goodness and igniting similar inner admonitions. The majesty of Holy Scripture remains wonderfully robust, offering those with clear spiritual vision an understanding beyond mere narrative, without implying any wrongdoing on God's part or that of His angels.

For Moses, as God’s envoy, did not possess, according to a deeper interpretation of the Scripture, an uncircumcised son or flawed thoughts. If this were the case, God would have required circumcision first before sending him. The divine messenger was not harsh in revealing to Moses the impending death due to his failure on the virtuous path; rather, such death resulted from his neglect along that journey.

Upon closer reflection, you, too, will likely observe that the angel did not encounter Moses at the onset, midpoint, or conclusion of his journey to impose a death sentence over any concealed passions. Had he not stalled or interrupted his path, he would have evaded rebuke and the dire warning for the neglect of his responsibilities.

Thus, let us implore God that, while we genuinely walk the path of His commandments, He may mercifully send us, like an angel, an inner voice of conscience that announces our transgressions, ensuring that through discernment we are enabled to sever, like the act of circumcision, the impurities of our desires that subtly emerge along the journey of life.

However, upon realizing the gravity of this wrong, Zipporah took a stone, circumcised her son, and humbled herself before the angel. This act of obedience led to the angel departing, indicating that the source of God's righteous anger was precisely what Zipporah's faith discerned. In times of urgent need, women often employ more effective measures than men and demonstrate a deeper fervor in seeking refuge in God. Thus, Zipporah engaged in an act that echoes what we sometimes hear in desperate circumstances today: “We are beset by difficulties; let us hurry to baptize the children. Maybe an angel will bless the Sacrament.” In Jewish tradition, circumcision served as a counterpart to Baptism.