Exodus 6:1-30
Dismayed AT Pharaoh’s hardness and the reproaches of his own people, Moses turned to God for comfort. The children of Israel were apparently in a worse case than before, yet this was God’s way of separating His people from the Egyptians, producing between them an irreparable breach, to pave the way for the display of His own power, that the children of Israel might know that it was His hand alone that could bring them out of the land of Egypt. “Then the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.” verse 1.
But God would not have either Moses or Israel to find comfort only in His mighty works and in the punishment of Pharaoh. Far better than that, He proceeded to give a new revelation of Himself to them, so that they might be drawn nearer to Him and find their needs met in His Person—not merely in His acts of power. “And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD (Jehovah): And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by My name JEHOVAH, was I not known to them.”
The name “Jehovah” is God’s title as Deliverer — the One who would act in them, for them, and with them. It is His name in relationship with Israel, reserved for them. To their fathers He was “God Almighty”—the One who first called Abraham out from idolatry to a consecrated and faithful walk, gave him the promises, blessings, and the reward of faith. He had been the almighty shield and protector of the wandering patriarchs in the midst of the jealous and hostile and wicked Canaanites. The time had come when He declared Himself by that name JEHOVAH, as the One who would be in the midst of His people,’ no matter what their circumstances. Amazing grace! God, the ever-existing One, would take up the cause of His people by being verily present with them. Thus, as He spoke to His servant, He reminded him: “I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel... and I have remembered My covenant.” Then He gave seven distinct promises: 1) I will bring you out; 2) I will rid you out of bondage; 3) I will redeem you; 4) I will take you to Me for a people; 5) I will be to you a God; 6) I will bring you in unto the (promised) land; 7) and I will give it to you for an heritage. These promises embraced His whole purpose for the nation of Israel and were sealed with the declaration: “I am JEHOVAH.”
Moses must have received great comfort from this revelation. Yet, when He carried these wonderful words to the people, “they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.” Such was their misery, because they were deaf to the gracious voice that proclaimed liberty and blessing. God told Moses to again go to Pharaoh and demand the release of the people, but Moses was too disappointed at the apparent fruitlessness of his mission and was unwilling to proceed. However, the value of the pledges made was not to be measured by the response of those to whom they were made, but by the worthiness of Him Who gave them. All would come to pass.
Toward the close of this chapter, the genealogy of the people to be redeemed is introduced.
ML 09/22/1968