Exodus 6:1 - Meaning and Application

Here God quiets Moses’s complaints by promising success in this difficult meeting. He repeats the promise already given in Exodus 3:20, that afterward Pharaoh would let them go. Moses had reached the end of his strength and may have wished he had stayed in Midian instead of coming to Egypt and making matters worse. At that very point, the Lord said to him, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh” (Exodus 6:1). When things are at their worst, Pharaoh full of pride and Israel sunk in misery, that is often when God shows his power. See also Psalm 12:5, “Now I will arise.”

The point is clear, human helplessness is often God’s opening to save. Moses had been waiting to see what God would do, but now he would see it plainly, as Job says, “see his day” at last (Job 24:1). Moses had already tried what he could do, and nothing worked. So God says, in effect, “Now you will see what I will do. Leave this proud man to me” (Job 40:12-13). The deliverance of God’s people is often finished only when God takes the work into his own hands.

God also says Pharaoh will let them go because of a strong hand. That means he will be forced to release them by a power stronger than his own. Some people are brought to obedience by the strong hand of God’s grace, because God makes them willing in the day of his power. Others are brought low by the strong hand of his justice, which breaks those who will not yield.

Then God gives Moses more reasons to hope for a good outcome. First, he points to his name, Jehovah, in Exodus 6:2-3. This is the same as “I am who I am,” the name that speaks of God as the source of all being, goodness, and perfection. The patriarchs knew this name, but they had not yet known God in this matter by what the name fully means. God would now be known as Jehovah in two ways: as the God who keeps what he has promised, and as the God who finishes what he has started.

In the story of creation, God is not called Jehovah until the heavens and the earth were finished (Genesis 2:4). In the same way, when the salvation of the saints is completed in eternal life, then he will be fully known by this name (Revelation 22:13). Until then, his people find him to be El-shaddai, the all-sufficient God, the God who is enough and will be enough for them (Micah 7:20).

Second, God reminds them of his covenant in Exodus 6:4. A covenant is a binding promise. The covenants God makes, he firmly establishes. They are made as secure as God’s own power and truth can make them. We can safely trust everything to that foundation.

Third, God points to his compassion in Exodus 6:5. He says, “I have heard the groaning of the children of Israel,” meaning their groaning under the new hardships placed on them. God takes note when his people’s troubles increase, and he watches as their enemies press harder and harder.

Fourth, God sets out his present purpose in Exodus 6:6-8. He repeats again and again that he will bring them out, free them, redeem them, and bring them into the land of Canaan, then give it to them. Human unbelief often needs repeated promises, and that should humble us. At the same time, God’s gracious heart shows itself in these repeated assurances, given for our comfort.

Fifth, God shows the good purposes behind all of this in Exodus 6:7. He intended their happiness: “I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God.” We need nothing greater than that to be truly blessed. He also intended his own glory: “You will know that I am the Lord.” God will accomplish his own purposes, and we will not miss them if we make his glory our own chief aim too.

You might think such good and comforting words would have revived the discouraged Israelites and made them forget their misery. Instead, their suffering made them ignore God’s promises (Exodus 6:9). They did not listen to Moses because their spirits were crushed. In part, they were so wrapped up in their trouble that they could not pay attention. In part, they were so disappointed by what had happened before that they did not believe him. And in part, they feared Pharaoh’s power and anger so much that they dared not even move toward their own rescue.

The lesson is plain. Downcast hearts often turn away the comfort that belongs to them, and so they stand in their own way. See Isaiah 28:12. Strong feelings can block strong comfort. If we keep feeding our discontent and irritation, we shut ourselves off from the comfort we might receive from both God’s word and his providence. Then we should not be surprised if we remain comfortless.