1 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.
2 And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I [am] the LORD:
3 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.
4 And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers.
5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.
6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I [am] the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:
7 And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
8 And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I [am] the LORD.
9 And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.
10 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
11 Go in, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land.
12 And Moses spake before the LORD, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who [am] of uncircumcised lips?
13 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, and gave them a charge unto the children of Israel, and unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.
14 These [be] the heads of their fathers’ houses: The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel; Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi: these [be] the families of Reuben.
15 And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman: these [are] the families of Simeon.
16 And these [are] the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari: and the years of the life of Levi [were] an hundred thirty and seven years.
17 The sons of Gershon; Libni, and Shimi, according to their families.
18 And the sons of Kohath; Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel: and the years of the life of Kohath [were] an hundred thirty and three years.
19 And the sons of Merari; Mahali and Mushi: these [are] the families of Levi according to their generations.
20 And Amram took him Jochebed his father’s sister to wife; and she bare him Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram [were] an hundred and thirty and seven years.
21 And the sons of Izhar; Korah, and Nepheg, and Zichri.
22 And the sons of Uzziel; Mishael, and Elzaphan, and Zithri.
23 And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon, to wife; and she bare him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
24 And the sons of Korah; Assir, and Elkanah, and Abiasaph: these [are] the families of the Korhites.
25 And Eleazar Aaron’s son took him [one] of the daughters of Putiel to wife; and she bare him Phinehas: these [are] the heads of the fathers of the Levites according to their families.
26 These [are] that Aaron and Moses, to whom the LORD said, Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies.
27 These [are] they which spake to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring out the children of Israel from Egypt: these [are] that Moses and Aaron.
28 And it came to pass on the day [when] the LORD spake unto Moses in the land of Egypt,
29 That the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, I [am] the LORD: speak thou unto Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say unto thee.
30 And Moses said before the LORD, Behold, I [am] of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me?
Context and Background
Exodus Chapter 6 is a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Israelites’ liberation from Egyptian bondage. This chapter serves as a bridge between God’s promises to the patriarchs and their fulfillment through the leadership of Moses. It emphasizes God’s covenant, the reassurance of His presence, and the ongoing struggle against Pharaoh’s oppression.
Key Themes
- Covenant and Promise: God reaffirms His covenant with the Israelites, emphasizing His commitment to deliver them.
- Divine Assurance: God provides reassurance to Moses and the Israelites about His power and presence.
- Human Doubt: The chapter highlights the struggle of the Israelites with their faith amidst suffering.
- Leadership of Moses: Moses’ role as a leader is emphasized, showcasing his relationship with God and the people.
Verse-by-Verse Analysis
- Verses 1-5:
God speaks to Moses, promising that Pharaoh will ultimately let the Israelites go. He emphasizes His identity as “I AM” and recalls the covenant made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This establishes continuity in God’s plan and reassures the Israelites of His faithfulness.
- Verses 6-8:
God declares His intention to rescue the Israelites from bondage, using strong imagery of deliverance. He promises to bring them into the land promised to their ancestors, reinforcing the theme of inheritance and belonging.
- Verses 9-12:
Moses conveys God’s message to the Israelites, but they do not listen due to their broken spirit and harsh slavery. This illustrates the psychological impact of oppression and the challenge of faith in dire circumstances.
- Verses 13-27:
God instructs Moses and Aaron to approach Pharaoh. This section includes a genealogy of Moses and Aaron, underscoring their legitimacy as leaders and their connection to the Israelite heritage.
- Verses 28-30:
Moses expresses doubt about his ability to speak to Pharaoh, highlighting his insecurities and the human tendency to question one’s capabilities. This sets the stage for God’s empowerment of Moses in the subsequent chapters.
Theological Implications
Exodus 6 presents profound theological implications regarding God’s nature and His relationship with humanity:
- God’s Sovereignty: The chapter emphasizes God’s ultimate control over history and events, showcasing His power to fulfill promises.
- Faith and Doubt: The struggle of the Israelites and Moses reflects the human experience of faith amidst adversity, encouraging readers to trust in divine promises.
- Identity and Heritage: The genealogy of Moses and Aaron reinforces the importance of identity and the continuity of God’s plan through generations.
Conclusion
Exodus Chapter 6 is a crucial chapter that encapsulates the themes of divine promise, human struggle, and the establishment of leadership. It sets the stage for the dramatic events that will unfold as God leads the Israelites out of Egypt, highlighting the importance of faith in the face of adversity and the assurance of God’s presence in the journey of liberation.
