Exodus 4:24-25

At a lodging place on the way, the Lord met Moses and was about to kill him.  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.  So the Lord let him alone.

Okay, I'll say it - as a 21st century Gentile, I find this story just plain strange.  It's hard to understand in today's culture.  And so my interpretation of the story may be way off its original intent, but here's what I get out of it...

God had commanded that all Hebrew males be circumcised (Genesis 17:12).  Moses undoubtably knew this, and yet he had failed - or refused - to circumcise his son.  Either way, it was disobedience.  Some say this may have been Zipporah's doing, as it was not a Midianite custom.  But ultimately it was Moses, as head of the house, who was responsible for the decision.  Moses' failure to obey God's command could have been a great stumbling block in his effectiveness against Pharaoh, and God was displeased with his sin.

What does that mean today?  It is sometimes difficult to know just what to do when our husbands sin.  We know we shouldn't nag.  We also know the Bible says we are to submit to our husbands.  In light of all that, what are we to do when they are living in disobedience to God's will, especially if it is something hidden from the eyes of others?  Is it our role as wives to call them out on their sin?

I believe the answer is yes.  Sin destroys our relationship with God, and will ultimately lead to destruction.  It hampers our ministry in the home, in the church, and in the world.  We are not to forget that we are our husband's sister in Christ and as such we are called to admonish one another.  Sometimes with a few wise words, sometimes actions are needed to remove the temptation from their path, sometimes we need to seek the help of a pastor, a counselor, or a godly friend.  But we should always respond with prayer.  Pray the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) for your husband regularly.  Help be his defense against the attacks of the evil one.