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I. TAKE THE FACT JUST AS STATED (ver. 24).

1. The very terms are confessedly startling. The Lord seeking and trying to kill! But His fatherly heart withheld His arm.

2. The character of the sufferer makes it still more remarkable. To cut short such a life as that of Moses — how strange!

3. Considerations of time and circumstances only deepen the wonder. God had just spoken to Moses as a friend, and expressly engaged him for an exceptionally important work.

4. The prominence and emphasis given to the record complicates the mystery. It is God speaking to all generations on things belonging to their peace.

II. CAUSE AND PURPOSE OF SO STRANGE A DISPENSATION.

1. Moses' compliance with Egyptian custom of circumcising only adults.

2. So long as he discarded the national seal or sign of the covenant made with Abraham, he was essentially unfit to take the place of recognized champion and deliverer of God's people.

3. His position was that of a rebel, determined not to submit to an ordinance acknowledged to be Divine. God would sooner "kill'" Moses than allow him to enter on a work in a state of hardened impenitence.

III. IMMEDIATE RESULTS. Moses yielded, and God "let him go."

1. Though up to that moment there seemed no hope of escape, the instant there was confession on one side, there came forgiveness on the other.

2. Henceforth there is not simply a change, but a marked improvement in his entire spirit and character.

IV. CONSEQUENT BLESSINGS AND BLESSEDNESS.

1. The disease was instantly arrested.

2. Thereon followed another token for good, to cheer and to strengthen his heart (vers. 27-29).

3. In further evidence of complete reconciliation, think of the wonderful and unparalleled success with which the mission was crowned.CONCLUSION.

1. To such as are in vigorous health, the moral is — boast not thyself of to-morrow.

2. To such as may recently have passed through heavy affliction, it suggests the wisdom of much earnest self-scrutiny.

3. Of the large class of almost Christians, "not far from the kingdom of God," it asks with special solemnity "Why halt ye between two opinions?"

4. To those of us who call ourselves Christians, and profess to be aiming at public usefulness, its unmistakable voice is — "They should be clean that bear the vessels of the sanctuary." Sins unforsaken, however secret, or however deplored, are sins unforgiven.

(H. Griffith.)

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KJV: And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him.

WEB: It happened on the way at a lodging place, that Yahweh met Moses and wanted to kill him.