Chapter 5 ends with Moses’ complaint to God. He said, “O my Lord, why have you mistreated this people? Why did you ever send me?
Since I first came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has mistreated this people, and you have done nothing at all to deliver your people” (Exodus 5:22-23).
Chapter 6 begins with God’s response to Moses’ complaint. They may feel abandoned, but nevertheless, God is at work for their benefit.
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh: indeed, by a mighty hand he will let them go; by a mighty hand he will drive them out of his land” (Exodus 6:1).
Bookends of God’s Activity
The Bible frequently “bookends” important information to make a central point. The two “bookends” of God’s response are, “I am the Lord.” Within the bookends are a number of “I will” statements.
Notice the “bookends” and the “I will” statements as you read these verses.
God also spoke to Moses and said to him, “I am the Lord.
I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name ‘The Lord’ I did not make myself known to them.
I also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they resided as aliens.
I have also heard the groaning of the Israelites whom the Egyptians have enslaved, and I have remembered my covenant.
Say therefore to the Israelites: I am the Lord, and I will free you from the burdens of the Egyptians and deliver you from slavery to them. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment.
I will take you as my people, and I will be your God. You shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has freed you from the burdens of the Egyptians.
I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; I will give it to you for a possession. I am the Lord” (Exodus 6:2-8).
The passage begins and ends with God’s declaration, “I am the Lord.” Modern translations place “Lord,” in capital fonts, because the Hebrew word is the sacred name of God, Yahweh/Jehovah.
God is active in Egypt to reveal His name to both Hebrews and Egptians. The “name” of God reveals His presence, reputation, character, and nature.
In His high priestly prayer Jesus said, “I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world” (John 17:6).
Jesus is the ultimate expression of God’s name. He is Immanuel or God with us, bringing God’s presence in bodily form among humans. He perfectly upholds God’s reputation by being a living example of His character and nature.
God loves people and wants us to know who He is. He goes to great lengths, including the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, to accomplish this revelation.
The “I wills” of Exodus 6
Six “I will ” statements are sandwiched between the bookends of the declaration of God’s sacred name.
- I will free you.
- I will redeem you.
- I will take you as my people.
- I will be your God.
- I will bring you into the land.
- I will give it [the land] to you for a possession.
Living with God’s Promises
The six “I will” statements that God gave the Israelites are wonderful beyond words. Even greater than these declarations is the fact that God makes known His presence, nature, and character.
We are able to know by experience who God is. This experience does not come from a book, a blog, or a lecture. We can know God personally and experience who He is, just as Moses did.
The Hebrews in Egypt heard Moses but were unable to believe these promises were for them.
Moses told this to the Israelites, but they would not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit and their cruel slavery (Exodus 6:9).
The question for us is whether we are willing to receive what God has for us.
Years ago, I heard a preacher pray, “Jesus, I want to experience everything you died for me to have.” That sentiment is unwilling to have anything less than what God wants us to experience in its fullness.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 