The Blood-Bridegroom

The circumcision in Christ is, among other things, a sign that we sacrifice the lust of the flesh and proclaim that the divine command predominates over any self-glorification.
 
Exodus 4:24-26:
24 At a lodging place on the way, the Lord met Moses and was about to kill him.
25 But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin and touched Moses’ feet with it. “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,” she said.
26 So the Lord let him alone. (At that time she said “bridegroom of blood,” referring to circumcision.)
 
This circumcision means the circumcision of the foreskin of the heart (see Romans 2:29 i.c.w. Colossians 2:11).
 
Romans 2:29:
29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.
 
Colossians 2:11:
11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, …
 
Moses and the Circumcision of His Firstborn Son
 
The journey of Moses with his wife and son is an ‘attentiveness’ of God to obedience and an important reference to Jesus and the position of His bride.
 
According to the covenant of God, Moses himself was obliged to circumcise every male child who was born on the eighth day (see Genesis 17:10-12).
 
Genesis 17:10-12:
10 This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. 12 For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner – those who are not your offspring.
 
However, Moses failed to obey this commandment so that God wanted to kill him.
 
This situation shows that there is no respect of person with God (see Romans 2:11; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:25; 1 Peter 1:17).
 
Romans 2:11:
11 For God does not show favoritism.
 
Ephesians 6:9:
9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
 
Colossians 3:25:
25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.
 
1 Peter 1:17:
17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.
 
Obedience and Responsibility
 
Obedience is an important part of life in the God-given calling. And it is the calling that demands responsibility and obedience from us.
 
The higher our calling is, the more the Lord demands from us (see Luke 12:48).
 
Luke 12:48:
48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
 
Therein, God clarifies that disobedience is on the same level as witchcraft. It was for example the disobedience of Saul that cost him his kingship (see 1 Samuel 15:23).
 
1 Samuel 15:23:
23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”
 
God told Moses before that he would kill Pharaoh's firstborn son if he would oppose Him (see Exodus 4:22-23).
 
Exodus 4:22-23:
22 Then say to Pharaoh, ‘This is what the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son, 23 and I told you, “Let my son go, so he may worship me.” But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son.’ ”
 
Here, too, is an important link to obedience. Had Pharaoh obeyed the word of God, his first-born son would not have died.
 
The Circumcision by Zipporah
 
There is an important aspect revealed in the circumcision of the son of Moses, in which his wife Zipporah played an important role.
 
The name ‘Zipporah’ means ‘little bird’ and is an indication of the importance of the walk in the Spirit with a humble heart, in order to go secured forward in Christ with the responsibility assigned to us by God and the authority associated with it.
 
In Zipporah we can also see the importance of prophetic intercession, which ensures authority for the future in the sonship of Christ through prayer and prophetic acts according to the standard of the Word of God.
 
For it was Zipporah who circumcised her son and laid his foreskin on the shame of her husband Moses.

For this she used a sharp stone, which already pointed to Jesus Christ as a powerful, living and sharp word. Jesus Christ is the chosen cornerstone, whom the builders rejected and the two-edged sword that circumcises the foreskin of our heart (see 1 Peter 2:7 i.c.w. Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 19:13; Colossians 2:11).
 
1 Peter 2:7:
7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” …
 
Hebrews 4:12:
12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
 
Revelation 19:13:
13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.
 
Colossians 2:11:
11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, …
 
Blood flowed during the circumcision of Moses' first son. This is an important attribute in Moses' journey. Moses was on his way to Egypt to lead the people of Israel out of slavery.
 
The circumcision of the first-born son of Moses makes it clear that it is not enough to have a calling from God and to follow the ministry to which God has called one, but rather to first preside well over the family (note: to be faithful in the little things) and to take on the responsibility there according to the word of God.
 
Before we can fulfill any mission for humanity, it is required that we understand our own relationship with God. This means that before we are able to change the world in the assignment given to us by God, we must be fully aware of our God-given identity.
 
Applying of the Blood of Jesus
 
It is of particular importance that we apply the blood of Jesus Christ in our personal lives in order to stay protected from early withdrawal of our calling (see 1 Corinthians 11:29-30).
 
1 Corinthians 11:29-30:
29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.
 
Just as in the salvation of Moses the blood of his first son flowed and thus saved the life of Moses, so the only begotten Son of God Jesus Christ saved our lives through His shed blood and the lives of those who believe in Him.
 
In the same way as Moses led the people of Israel from the slavery of Egypt into freedom, it is also our mission to lead people who are ready from the slavery of the world into the freedom of the sons of God by the blood of the Lamb of God (see Romans 8:21).
 
Romans 8:21:
… 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children (note: sons) of God.

Through the blood of Jesus we enter into the covenant with Him and thus become His bride who is bought by His blood and stands in the authority of the royal priesthood (see 1 Peter 1:18-19 i.c.w. Revelation 1:5-6).
 
1 Peter 1:18-19:
18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
 
Revelation 1:5-6:
… 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father – to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
 
The Circumcision of the Heart
 
It is the circumcision of our heart that leads to more knowledge and to an increase of light in us, which emanates from us through Jesus Christ (see Romans 2:29 i.c.w. Philippians 3:3).
 
Romans 2:29:
29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.
 
Philippians 3:3:
3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh – …
The reason for the increase of light lies in the fact that our heart is equipped with eyes by God and the eye is the light of the body (see Luke 11:34 i.c.w. Ephesians 1:18).
 
Luke 11:34:
34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy (note: generous), your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy (note: stingy), your body also is full of darkness.
 
Ephesians 1:18:
18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, …
 
In the daily lives of numerous saints, the question of priority in the individual areas of life and the responsibility associated with it arises from time to time. Unfortunately, this is often dealt with and measured according to worldly standards in order to achieve an outward effect and other people’s acceptance, which is just widespread in our cultural environment.
 
Therefore, it is essential to be aware of your own belonging (note: God and His people) and to follow your own responsibility in the family (note: to be faithful in little things). And only personal circumcision of the heart enables us to take the responsibility that is entrusted to us according to God's standards, and not those in the secular and uncircumcised world.
 
Amen and Amen.
 
In His Wisdom,
 
Daniel Glimm