Exodus 6:1-30
Q.1. How did God respond to the complaint of Moses? What else was Moses told about God? On what basis would God act? How did Israel respond? – Ex.6:1-9)
After much reluctance, Moses had obeyed and gone to Pharaoh. In return, Pharaoh had thrown the pressure back on the Hebrews (c.f. Exo.5:1-9). Moses returned to God and complained – Ever since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done harm to this people, and You have not delivered Your people at all (Exo.5:23). God replied – … Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh; for under compulsion he will let them go, and under compulsion he will drive them out of his land (Exo.6:1). He also told Moses – 2 … I am the Lord; 3 and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name, Lord, I did not make Myself known to them (Exo.6:2-3). Previously, the Lord’s name had been attached to the patriarchs themselves (Gen.4:26; 9:26; 12:8; 22:14; 24:12). It was revealed to Moses, that the name of YAHWEH (Hebrew: יהוה or JHVH) or JeHoVaH (Exo.3:14) would take on a Covenant significance with a whole nation, the Children of Israel. God indicated that this relationship would be personal – 7 Then I will take you for My people, and I will be your God; and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 8 I will bring you to the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I will give it to you for a possession; I am the Lord (Exo.6:7-8). However, when Moses related this message – … they did not listen to Moses on account of their despondency and cruel bondage (Exo.6:9).
Q.2. Did Moses like his renewed call? Why was the genealogy of Moses and Aaron recorded here? What was the response of Moses to God’s commissioning? – (Ex.6:10-30)
God sent Moses back to Pharaoh to demand that he – … let the sons of Israel go out of his land (Exo.6:11). In response, Moses complained – … Behold, the sons of Israel have not listened to me; how then will Pharaoh listen to me, for I am unskilled in speech? (Exo.6:12). Consequently, the Lord included his brother Aaron in the call as well (Exo.6:13). The genealogy, including family lineage and the names, was inserted to underscore that this is real history. Levi was the third-born son of Israel, and he lived to be one hundred and thirty-seven years. He had three sons – Gershon, Kohath, and Merari (Exo.6:14-16). The father of Moses and Aaron was Amram, who was the firstborn of the second son of Levi. Amram married his father’s sister Jochebed (Ex.6:18-20). Aaron would become Israel’s high priest. His sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar would follow (Exo.6:23) – … These are the heads of the fathers’ households of the Levites according to their families (Exo.6:25). This genealogy was recorded to clarify that – 26 It was the same Aaron and Moses to whom the Lord said, “Bring out the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their hosts.” 27 They were the ones who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt about bringing out the sons of Israel from Egypt; it was the same Moses and Aaron (Exo.6:26-27). Most people believe that the Pentateuch (i.e. the first five Old Testament books) was written by Moses. Here he recorded an honest record of his response to his call from God – 30 … Behold, I am unskilled in speech; how then will Pharaoh listen to me? (Exo.6:30). God uses fearful people, because this amplifies His power and glory (c.f. 1 Cor.1:26-31; 2 Tim.1:7).