Redemption Out Of Egyptian Bondage (5:1-18:27)
Egyptian Bondage (1:1-7:7)
A Deliverer (2:1-7:7)
(Pentecost 14 A)
Exodus 6:1-7:7
Reading: 2Ch 32:1-8
Songs:
Theme: God is always faithful to his promises
INTRODUCTION
A. Some wrote of a preacher who was in his office, pacing the floor out of frustration. Another person who had walked in and saw the preacher asked what was the matter. He replied, "I’m in a hurry and God isn’t!"
B. Moses had been in a hurry for God’s will for the people Israel to be free from bondage. However, Moses’ time table wasn’t running in synch with God’s time table.
C. At the close of Exodus chapter five, Moses and Aaron had made their first visit to Pharaoh. Not only had Pharaoh rejected God’s demand to let the people go free but he also gave orders that additional burdens laid upon the people of Israel. That led to the officers of the children of Israel rejecting Moses. Moses turned to the Lord wondering why there was a delay in having fulfilled his will. Let’s consider how God dealt with Moses in chapter 6, so that when things don’t go our way in our lives, we will not be deterred from the direction of the gospel.
Discussion
I. GOD REASSURED MOSES (6:1-13).
A. Then the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh ... (6:1-9).
1 ¶ Then the LORD <03068> said <0559> (8799) unto Moses <04872>, Now shalt thou see <07200> (8799) what I will do <06213> (8799) to Pharaoh <06547>: for with a strong <02389> hand <03027> shall he let them go <07971> (8762), and with a strong <02389> hand <03027> shall he drive them out <01644> (8762) of his land <0776>.
1. God gave no answer as to Moses’ impatient queries but reassured him by reaffirming the immutable purpose of the plan (vs 1-2).
(1) In so doing Moses was encouraged to trust in the success of God’s plan
(2) Sometimes, when we are dismayed with life, and confused about our circumstances, like Moses we may cry out at God rather than crying out to him.
(3) At such times it may be that though we prayed we don’t seem to receive an answer.
(4) From studying God’ sword, as with Moses, we are encouraged to trust in the plan.
(5) The encouragement is to look beyond the present trails and to consider the final outcome (Rom 8:18).
2 And God <0430> spake <01696> (8762) unto Moses <04872>, and said <0559> (8799) unto him, I am the LORD <03068>: {the LORD: or, JEHOVAH}
2. Moses was also encouraged to trust God’s person.
a. Rather than words of reprimand, reproach, or rebuke, the Lord declared unto Moses “I am the Lord.”
b. At the burning bush when Moses asked what he was to say when they asked who sent him, God responded with “I AM THAT I AM: ... Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”
c. This was a simple encouragement for Moses to view the trial in consideration of God (cp. Psa 73:16-17, 24).
d. Because Moses was discouraged over the down turn of events in Egypt, Moses was informed of a day coming when Pharaoh would not just let the people go, but he would actually drive them from the land.
(1) Fro Moses and Israel, bad days were upon them but the best was going to come.
(2) No matter what the situation is in your life, trust in God’s person.
(3) Those who survive the very worst of times, the loneliest times, the saddest times, the most painful times, the times of struggle and trial are those who hold on trustingly to the promises and the truth that the best is yet to come.
(4) God has laid down the plan, and determined an end.
(5) Therefore, if we remain faithful the outcome can only be our success.
3 And I appeared <07200> (8735) unto Abraham <085>, unto Isaac <03327>, and unto Jacob <03290>, by the name of God <0410> Almighty <07706>, but by my name <08034> JEHOVAH <03068> was I not known <03045> (8738) to them.
4 And I have also established <06965> (8689) my covenant <01285> with them, to give <05414> (8800) them the land <0776> of Canaan <03667>, the land <0776> of their pilgrimage <04033>, wherein they were strangers <01481> (8804).
3. The Lord said, “but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.”
a. It seems a contraction given other scriptures.
b. Certainly God was known to them by Jehovah.
(1) Eve knew the name and expressed it at the birth of Cain (Gen 4:1).
(2) Moses mother Jochebed also knew the name (Gen 6:20).
(3) Noah invoked the name in blessing Shem (Gen 9:26).
(4) God used it with Abraham - Lord (Gen 15:7; 22:14; 18:13, 17).
(5) It is the name God used when he appeared to Isaac (Gen 27:20).
(6) Rebekah used it to Jacob in reference to Isaac and Esau (Gen 27:7).
(7) Many other passages could be sited.
c. One writer claims a better rendering of the original text is said to be “BY MY NAME JEHOVAH WAS I NOT MADE KNOWN UNTO THEM?” [2] [page 70]
d. However, in considering that God seems to have been making a comparison between his name God Almighty and Jehovah (there is no conjuction “and”), the KJV translation seems proper.
e. What was intended in the text was not that the name absolutely was un unknown before but that the full significance of it, either by explanation or in experience, had not before been made known.
(1) To Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, God was known and experienced as the Almighty ("El Shaddai").
(2) To Moses and Israel God was going to reveal his character in his name Jehovah.
f. Jehovah, Strong’s - 03068. hwhy Y@HOVAH yeh-ho-vaw’; from 01961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God:— Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 03050, 03069
TWOT-484a; n pr dei AV-LORD 6510, GOD 4, JEHOVAH 4, variant 1; 6519 Jehovah =" the existing One" 1) the proper name of the one true God 1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of 0136 (Exo 6:3; Psa 83:18; Isa 12:2; 26:4).
(a) The Hebrew has no vowels as we know them, thus YHWH is the transliteration of the Hebrew.
(b) It was Anglicized as Jehovah (the old ASV) or, more commonly today, Yahweh.
(2) God is the one who has always existed and is unchanging (cp. Mal 3:6; Hos 12:5; Rev 1:4, Rev 1:8).
(3) He existed yesterday. He exists today. He will exist tomorrow and forever (Heb 13:8).
(4) God is the “Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending” (Rev 1:8, 11; 21:16; 22:13).
g. As one who has always existed and is unchanging. Having made a covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, God was going to fulfill it.
(1) Moses message to the people of Israel in captivity was that the same God who spoke to the fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who had made a covenant with them, was the same God who was speaking to Israel through Moses and Aaron.
(2) He was the same God who was going to keep his promises.
(3) Though he may have seemed to Moses, to be slow in reacting, he was Jehovah, unchanging and therefore, faithful to fulfilling his promises.
(4) The fathers all “died in faith not having received the promises” (Heb 11:13) but Israel was going to see them fulfilled.
(5) God was about to manifest himself as the faithful performer of his word, and as such the descendants of the patriarchs would know God in a way not known by their forefathers.
(6) They were going to have their eyes opened to the character of God.
(7) Much later the apostle Paul prayed for the eyes of Christians to be opened to seeing God in a new way (Eph 1:18; 3:16-19).
h. Moses was called to trust God’s promises.
(1) God is always faithful to his covenants.
(2) There is an import message in this for you and me.
(a) God was with us when we began our journey of walking by faith in his word and he will see us through to finishing of the task.
(b) As he urged Moses and Israel, God urges us to continue to walk trusting in him, relying on him and not on our own understanding of what might seem a better way.
(c) When your life seems like it is falling apart, when your wondering where the abundant life is, remember that God’s is the one who stands behind his promises and he cannot lie (2Pe 1:4).
5 And I have also heard <08085> (8804) the groaning <05009> of the children <01121> of Israel <03478>, whom <0834> the Egyptians <04714> keep in bondage <05647> (8688); and I have remembered <02142> (8799) my covenant <01285>.
4. Though it may seem unfathomable as to why God permits things which lead to his people groaning, nevertheless, there cause for comfort, for God hears them!
6 Wherefore <03651> say <0559> (8798) unto the children <01121> of Israel <03478>, I am the LORD <03068>, and I will bring <03318> (8689) you out from under the burdens <05450> of the Egyptians <04714>, and I will rid <05337> (8689) you out of their bondage <05656>, and I will redeem <01350> (8804) you with a stretched <05186> (8803) out arm <02220>, and with great <01419> judgments <08201>:
7 And I will take <03947> (8804) you to me for a people <05971>, and I will be to you a God <0430>: and ye shall know <03045> (8804) that I am the LORD <03068> your God <0430>, which bringeth <03318> (8688) you out from under the burdens <05450> of the Egyptians <04714>.
8 And I will bring <0935> (8689) you in unto the land <0776>, concerning the which I did swear <05375> (8804) <03027> to give <05414> (8800) it to Abraham <085>, to Isaac <03327>, and to Jacob <03290>; and I will give <05414> (8804) it you for an heritage <04181>: I am the LORD <03068>. {swear: Heb. lift up my hand}
5. God was encouraging Moses to trust God’s purpose.
a. Three time God said “I have” and seven times he said “I will” in five verses (vs 4-8).
(1) “I have also established my covenant with them” (v 4).
(2) “I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel” (v 5).
(3) “I have remembered my covenant” (v 5).
(4) I will bring you out from under the burdens” (v 6).
(5) “I will rid you out of their bondage” (v 6).
(6) “I will redeem you” (v 6).
(7) “I will take you to me for a people” (v 7).
(8) “I will be to you a God” (v 7).
(9) I will bring you in unto the land” (v 8).
(10) “I will give it you for an heritage” (v 8).
b. God was going to do it all with his judgments on Egypt.
Moses Tried To Reassure Israel
9 And Moses <04872> spake <01696> (8762) so unto the children <01121> of Israel <03478>: but they hearkened <08085> (8804) not unto Moses <04872> for anguish <07115> of spirit <07307>, and for cruel <07186> bondage <05656>. {anguish: Heb. shortness, or, straitness}
6. Moses went back to the people with God’s message, but the people would not listen to it.
a. The pressure of their present kept them from hearing God’s word to them and from trusting in the future God offered them.
b. They didn’t seem to realize that belonging to God does not mean exemptions from painful experiences.
(1) Too many Christians, having had a faulty understanding of the life of faith, become callous when troubles enter their lives.
(2) Even Jesus suffered in the flesh.
(3) While it might be difficult in the midst of suffering to understand how God’s could use our suffering to make us stronger, never-the-less, our suffering in God’s hands is an instrument to our growth, not of our destruction.
(4) In fact, as we read through the Book of Exodus we learn that God did transform the suffering people of Israel, from a people of slaves into a powerful nation that was feared by all the other nations.
(5) When troubles are knocking at our door, when our faith begins to struggle, we need to look beyond the problems of today in trust, to the plan, the person, the promises and the purpose.
c. It is greatly discouraging to a preacher to preach or a teacher to teach, knowing there are people present who need to respond but who do not respond.
d. It is greatly heart breaking to parents to do all they can to raise their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord yet have children to go astray.
e. That discouragement seemed to have been taking hold of Moses’ zeal to continue in the Lord’s work.
B. ... the LORD spake unto Moses ... Go in, speak unto Pharaoh ... (6:10-13)
10 ¶ And the LORD <03068> spake <01696> (8762) unto Moses <04872>, saying <0559> (8800),
11 Go <0935> (8798) in, speak <01696> (8761) unto Pharaoh <06547> king <04428> of Egypt <04714>, that he let the children <01121> of Israel <03478> go out <07971> (8762) of his land <0776>.
1. Moses had already been rejected once by Pharaoh.
a. Following that, Moses had been rejected by the elders of Israel.
b. Then he was rejected by the people of Israel when the Lord sent him back to speak to them (v 9).
c. Moses was probably thinking something like, “Three strikes and your out.”
d. Yet, the Lord wanted Moses to again go back to speak to Pharaoh (Exo 4:10).
12 And Moses <04872> spake <01696> (8762) before <06440> the LORD <03068>, saying <0559> (8800), Behold, the children <01121> of Israel <03478> have not hearkened <08085> (8804) unto me; how then shall Pharaoh <06547> hear <08085> (8799) me <0589>, who am of uncircumcised <06189> lips <08193>?
2. Moses reiterated his previously answered excuse of not having the ability to do well in speaking.
13 And the LORD <03068> spake <01696> (8762) unto Moses <04872> and unto Aaron <0175>, and gave them a charge <06680> (8762) unto the children <01121> of Israel <03478>, and unto Pharaoh <06547> king <04428> of Egypt <04714>, to bring <03318> (8687) the children <01121> of Israel <03478> out of the land <0776> of Egypt <04714>.
3. God reiterated his charge to Moses and Aaron and for Pharaoh.
Transition: Next follows a genealogy which serves to establish the link between Moses, Aaron and the people of Israel.
II. GOD RENEWED HIS CALL TO MOSES (6:14-7:7).
The Family of Moses and Aaron
A. These be the heads of their fathers‘ houses ... (6:14-27).
14 ¶ These be the heads <07218> of their fathers <01>‘ houses <01004>: The sons <01121> of Reuben <07205> the firstborn <01060> of Israel <03478>; Hanoch <02585>, and Pallu <06396>, Hezron <02696>, and Carmi <03756>: these be the families <04940> of Reuben <07205>.
15 And the sons <01121> of Simeon <08095>; Jemuel <03223>, and Jamin <03226>, and Ohad <0161>, and Jachin <03199>, and Zohar <06714>, and Shaul <07586> the son <01121> of a Canaanitish woman <03669>: these are the families <04940> of Simeon <08095>.
16 And these are the names <08034> of the sons <01121> of Levi <03878> according to their generations <08435>; Gershon <01648>, and Kohath <06955>, and Merari <04847>: and the years <08141> of the life <02416> of Levi <03878> were an hundred <03967> thirty <07970> and seven <07651> years <08141>.
17 The sons <01121> of Gershon <01648>; Libni <03845>, and Shimi <08096>, according to their families <04940>.
18 And the sons <01121> of Kohath <06955>; Amram <06019>, and Izhar <03324>, and Hebron <02275>, and Uzziel <05816>: and the years <08141> of the life <02416> of Kohath <06955> were an hundred <03967> thirty <07970> and three <07969> years <08141>.
19 And the sons <01121> of Merari <04847>; Mahali <04249> and Mushi <04187>: these are the families <04940> of Levi <03878> according to their generations <08435>.
20 And Amram <06019> took <03947> (8799) him Jochebed <03115> his father’s sister <01733> to wife <0802>; and she bare <03205> (8799) him Aaron <0175> and Moses <04872>: and the years <08141> of the life <02416> of Amram <06019> were an hundred <03967> and thirty <07970> and seven <07651> years <08141>.
21 And the sons <01121> of Izhar <03324>; Korah <07141>, and Nepheg <05298>, and Zichri <02147>.
22 And the sons <01121> of Uzziel <05816>; Mishael <04332>, and Elzaphan <0469>, and Zithri <05644>.
23 And Aaron <0175> took <03947> (8799) him Elisheba <0472>, daughter <01323> of Amminadab <05992>, sister <0269> of Naashon <05177>, to wife <0802>; and she bare <03205> (8799) him Nadab <05070>, and Abihu <030>, Eleazar <0499>, and Ithamar <0385>.
24 And the sons <01121> of Korah <07141>; Assir <0617>, and Elkanah <0511>, and Abiasaph <023>: these are the families <04940> of the Korhites <07145>.
25 And Eleazar <0499> Aaron’s <0175> son <01121> took <03947> (8804) him one of the daughters <01323> of Putiel