Exodus 3:16 - Meaning and Application

Moses is now given more specific instructions for his work, and he is told in advance how it will go. He must speak first with the elders of Israel, the leaders of the people, and stir up their hope of a soon coming rescue to Canaan, the land God had promised them (Exodus 3:16, Exodus 3:17). He is to repeat to them exactly what God had said, as a faithful messenger. What ministers receive from the Lord, they must pass on to his people and leave nothing back that would help them.

Notice especially the words, “I have said, I will bring you up” (Exodus 3:17). That is enough to settle the matter, because God has said it. Has he spoken, and will he not do it? With us, speaking and acting are often two different things, but it is not so with God. He is of one mind, and who can turn him? “I have said it,” and the whole world cannot deny it. His purpose will stand.

Moses is also told that his work with the elders of Israel will succeed. They will listen to his voice, and they will not reject him as they had done forty years earlier (Exodus 3:18). God, who by his grace bends the heart and opens the ear, could say this ahead of time because he had decided to make them willing that very day by his power.

Then Moses must deal with the king of Egypt, Pharaoh, together with the elders of Israel (Exodus 3:18). They must begin not with a demand, but with a humble request. Even though it was certain Pharaoh would not be moved by kindness, that gentle and respectful approach must still be tried first: “We ask you, let us go.” They must ask only for permission to go as far as Mount Sinai to worship God, and say nothing yet about going all the way to Canaan. That fuller request would have been rejected at once, but the smaller one was modest and reasonable. Pharaoh’s refusal would leave him without excuse and would justify their leaving his kingdom entirely. If he would not let them go and sacrifice at Sinai, then they were right to go on without his leave and settle in Canaan.

God’s calls and commands to sinners are so fair in themselves, and so kindly given, that the mouth of the disobedient must finally be shut. As for Pharaoh, Moses is told three things. First, neither requests, arguments, nor humble appeals will move him, not even a mighty display of signs and wonders: “I know that he will not let you go” (Exodus 3:19). God sends his messengers even to people whose hardness he already knows, so that it may be clear he truly wants them to turn and live.

Second, plagues will force Pharaoh to let them go: “I will strike Egypt” (Exodus 3:20). Those who will not bow to the power of God’s word will certainly be broken by the power of his hand. When God judges, he will win.

Third, God will make his people so favored by the Egyptians that, when they leave, they will receive a great amount of silver and gold objects, to their own rich gain (Exodus 3:21, Exodus 3:22). God sometimes turns the enemies of his people into those who are at peace with them, and even into those who are kind to them. He has many ways of settling accounts between the harmed and the wrongdoers, of defending the oppressed, and of forcing those who have done wrong to make restitution, because he sits on the throne and judges rightly.