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Obedience on the Way

Obedience on the Way

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 Welcome to the first ever video episode of Reformed Devotionals Daily. I thought we could try this, and so I’d love to hear your thoughts on how you found this. That is partly why this week’s devos were delayed.Today we’re in Exodus chapter 4, and we’re looking at Moses finally taking that step of obedience after everything God has said to him.Let me read the passage. This is Exodus 4:18-31:Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, “Please let me go back to my brothers in Egypt to see whether they are still alive.” And Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace.” And the Lord said to Moses in Midian, “Go back to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life are dead.” So Moses took his wife and his sons and had them ride on a donkey, and went back to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the staff of God in his hand.And the Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, Israel is my firstborn son, and I say to you, “Let my son go that he may serve me.” If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son.’”At a lodging place on the way the Lord met him and sought to put him to death. Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son’s foreskin and touched Moses’ feet with it and said, “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me!” So he let him alone. It was then that she said, “A bridegroom of blood,” because of the circumcision.The Lord said to Aaron, “Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.” So he went and met him at the mountain of God and kissed him. And Moses told Aaron all the words of the Lord with which he had sent him to speak, and all the signs that he had commanded him to do. Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the people of Israel. Aaron spoke all the words that the Lord had spoken to Moses and did the signs in the sight of the people. And the people believed, and when they heard that the Lord had visited the people of Israel and that he had seen their affliction, they bowed their heads and worshiped.After all the excuses and hesitation, Moses finally sets out. He goes back to Jethro, asks permission to leave, and begins the journey back to Egypt. It’s a quiet act of obedience, but it’s a huge step of faith.God reassures him along the way. The men who wanted Moses dead are gone. And then there’s this line: “Moses took the staff of God in his hand.” The same stick that had been a shepherd’s tool now carries the authority of heaven. God takes what is ordinary and fills it with His power.Then God tells Moses what’s coming. Pharaoh’s heart will be hard. God is preparing Moses for the opposition ahead. But He also tells him something important about Israel: “Israel is my firstborn son.” That’s covenant language. God isn’t just rescuing slaves. He’s redeeming His own children.Now we come to that difficult moment at the lodging place. The Lord confronts Moses because he hasn’t circumcised his son. It feels sudden, but it makes sense. Circumcision was the sign of belonging to God’s people, and Moses cannot lead Israel while neglecting the very sign of God’s promise in his own family. Zipporah completes the act, and judgment passes. It’s a sobering reminder that obedience matters, especially for those who lead.After this, God brings Aaron to meet Moses. The brothers embrace, share what God has said, and go together to the elders of Israel. Aaron speaks, Moses performs the signs, and the people believe. They hear that God has seen their suffering, that He has visited them, and they worship.It’s a beautiful moment. After centuries of silence, hope begins to rise. God’s promise is moving from words to action.This passage reminds us that obedience often starts quietly. It might be as simple as taking the next faithful step. But when we move in faith, God moves in power. God takes what’s ordinary—like a shepherd’s staff—and uses it for His purposes. And obedience isn’t optional, especially for leaders. You can’t call people to faithfulness if you’re neglecting it yourself.Whatever God is asking you to do today, take that next step. Trust that He can use what’s already in your hand. And remember, He calls you not just as a servant, but as His child—loved and redeemed through Christ.Let’s pray.PrayerFather, thank You for Your patience and for the way You lead us step by step. Teach us to obey even when the path ahead is uncertain. Keep us humble and faithful in the small acts of obedience that prepare us for Your greater purposes. Thank You that You call us not as servants only, but as Your children, loved and redeemed through Christ. In His name we pray, Amen.Thanks for joining me today. I’ll see you next time.Thanks for reading Reformed Devotionals ...
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