I am the Lord
Ex. 6:2, 6, 8
Ex. 6:2, 6, 8
Introduction
In this passage Moses has returned to the Lord after his
initial meeting with Pharaoh, in which Pharaoh informed Moses that he did
not know the Lord and would not let the people go. Out of frustration Moses
says to God: “Why is it You have sent me?” God responds: “Now you shall see
what I will do to Pharaoh” (5:22; 6:1).
There is a Word to Moses (vs. 1-5), a Word to the People (vs. 6-9), and a Word to Pharaoh (vs. 10-13).
In connection with these words and through these messages God is stating Who He Is, What He has Done, and What He will Do.
All of this is related to the “covenant” (v. 5), a concept mentioned over 250 times in the Bible and mention twice in these verses; the covenant is one of those concepts that ties the Scriptures together.
There is a Word to Moses (vs. 1-5), a Word to the People (vs. 6-9), and a Word to Pharaoh (vs. 10-13).
In connection with these words and through these messages God is stating Who He Is, What He has Done, and What He will Do.
All of this is related to the “covenant” (v. 5), a concept mentioned over 250 times in the Bible and mention twice in these verses; the covenant is one of those concepts that ties the Scriptures together.
God States Who He Is
His Revelation
Repeatedly, three times, God affirms: “I am the Lord” (vs. 2, 6, 8);
additionally He states: “Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God”
(v. 7); and at the end of the chapter, God again proclaims: “I am the Lord”
(v. 29).
The “LORD” is YHWH, the word and name that appears over 6,800 times in the Old Testament; see: Ex. 3:13-15 – YHWH.
The “LORD” is YHWH, the word and name that appears over 6,800 times in the Old Testament; see: Ex. 3:13-15 – YHWH.
Implications of His Revelation
God is Absolute Being – God is the One who Is; He cannot not
be; the word is from the verb “to be,” indicating Existence or Being; God is
I AM; eternally God is.
God is Self-Existent Being – God is uncaused; the reason for His Being resides within Himself; God is what He is because He is; the reason for His Being is internal to His Being.
God is Unconditioned Being – God is not affected by anything; He is complete within Himself; He is perfection; nothing external to Him contributes to Him or detracts from Him.
God is Self-Existent Being – God is uncaused; the reason for His Being resides within Himself; God is what He is because He is; the reason for His Being is internal to His Being.
God is Unconditioned Being – God is not affected by anything; He is complete within Himself; He is perfection; nothing external to Him contributes to Him or detracts from Him.
Relationship to the Covenant
God who is Absolute
Being, Self-Existent Being, and Unconditioned Being is the One who Makes and
Keeps Covenant!
The origin, purpose, and content of the Covenant resides in Him; it is His doing; the Covenant begins with Him and, therefore, must be discussed in terms of Him; apart from Him there is no Covenant.
The origin, purpose, and content of the Covenant resides in Him; it is His doing; the Covenant begins with Him and, therefore, must be discussed in terms of Him; apart from Him there is no Covenant.
God States What He has Done
“I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob” (v. 3)
God made Himself known, and He would be unknown unless He reveals
Himself; all revelation is initiated by God; man cannot find God; God must
make Himself known.
God states that He appeared as “God Almighty” and later as “LORD”; however, the word “LORD” is used in Genesis (13:4 and 15:7); perhaps this is to be understood in the sense that the Patriarchs knew the word but did not know the implications of the word; they knew the name, but did not know the meaning of the name and its implications for the Covenant; the point is that to Moses and the nation God is giving a fuller revelation of Himself.
God states that He appeared as “God Almighty” and later as “LORD”; however, the word “LORD” is used in Genesis (13:4 and 15:7); perhaps this is to be understood in the sense that the Patriarchs knew the word but did not know the implications of the word; they knew the name, but did not know the meaning of the name and its implications for the Covenant; the point is that to Moses and the nation God is giving a fuller revelation of Himself.
“I have also established My covenant with them” (v. 4)
The word “established” contains the idea of “to raise up”; God build
the covenant with His people; it means to make, confirm, or ratify.
Note the word “My”; the covenant is God’s covenant; it did not arise from the consciousness of the nation; it was not the nation’s mental construct patterned after the surrounding nations; it originated with God and was revealed to the Patriarchs and to the nation.
Note the word “My”; the covenant is God’s covenant; it did not arise from the consciousness of the nation; it was not the nation’s mental construct patterned after the surrounding nations; it originated with God and was revealed to the Patriarchs and to the nation.
“I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel” (v. 5)
This does not mean that there
was a time God did not hear or did not know; rather, it means that God is
ready to respond; it is time for Him to act; His action is near.
“I have remembered My covenant” (v. 6)
There was not a time that He did not
remember; but, like above, this means that God is ready to act; and His
actions will be consistent with the covenant He made with the Fathers.
See: The Covenant
See: The Covenant
God states What He will Do
“I will bring you out” (v.6)
God has heard the groaning of His people, and He has remembered His
covenant with them; the time for Him to act is at hand; and He will deliver
them from the burdens of the Egyptians.
Pharaoh had declared to Moses: “Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go” (Ex. 5:2); the words of Pharaoh meant nothing; God says that He will bring His people out.
God will reveal to Pharaoh who He is through the plagues and through His deliverance of His people.
Pharaoh had declared to Moses: “Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go” (Ex. 5:2); the words of Pharaoh meant nothing; God says that He will bring His people out.
God will reveal to Pharaoh who He is through the plagues and through His deliverance of His people.
“I will rescue you” (v. 6)
Only God can rescue; deliverance is
in His hands and according to His plan.
“I will redeem you” (v. 6)
Redemption was needed because of bondage; their bondage was greater than
their ability to deliver themselves; therefore, God says that He will
accomplish this deed with “outstretched arm and with great judgments”;
redemption is God’s act.
Especially is this true in the deeper and more profound spiritual sense; it is God who effects redemption for His people; see: I Pet. 1:18-21.
Especially is this true in the deeper and more profound spiritual sense; it is God who effects redemption for His people; see: I Pet. 1:18-21.
“I will take you as My people” (v. 7)
To be taken
by God is to become the people of God; what comfort and security to be
numbered with those who God refers to as “My people”; redemption is always
for the purpose of relationship, and God’s redemption means fellowship with
God.
“I will be your God” (v. 7)
See: Ex. 29:45; II Cor. 6:16; and Rev.
20:3
“I will bring you into the land” (v. 8)
They were carried from the
place of bondage to the place of blessing; spiritually, the believer is
carried from the bondage of sin to the land of freedom and salvation.
In spite of an impossible task, the people prevailed because of the Lord’s determination.
In spite of an impossible task, the people prevailed because of the Lord’s determination.
“I will give it to you” (v. 8)
The eternal position of
the believer is dependent upon the Divine promise; the giving is the doing
of God.
Thoughts
* God can do what He says He will do because of who He is.
He is the LORD – YHWH; He is “I AM.”
* God will do what He says He will do because of who He is.
His “I will” is anchored in His “I AM.”
* God’s physical action for Israel is His spiritual action for the believer.
He brings us out; He rescues us; He redeems us – we have salvation.
He takes us; He becomes our God – we have relationship.
He brings us; He gives to us – we have eternal blessings.
He takes us; He becomes our God – we have relationship.
He brings us; He gives to us – we have eternal blessings.
See: Ex. 6:4-5 - The Covenant
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