Exodus 6 - God Renews His Promise to Israel

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Exodus#Chapter_6

 Summary https://marksbiblejourney.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-book-of-exodus-chapter-1-israel.html
"God catches Moses up on the covenant He established with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  God again tells Moses, "I am Yahweh, and I will deliver you from the forced labor of the Egyptians and free you from slavery.  The Egyptians will be judged, I will be your God, and I will bring you to the land that I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."  Moses tells all this to the Israelites, but they do not listen because of their broken spirit and hard labor.  God tells Moses and Aaron to speak to Pharaoh once again.  Moses thinks that the Pharaoh will not listen considering the Israelites did not listen to him.  This chapter contains the genealogy of Moses and Aaron.  Moses and Aaron (brothers) are descendants of Jacob's son Levi (Jacob begot Levi begot Kohath begot Amram begot Aaron and Moses).  Moses' father and mother are Amram and Jochebed."

Some key verses from the Amplified Bible (AMP) version..

• "Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh; for under compulsion he will [not only] let them go, but under compulsion he will drive them out of his land.” v.1

• Therefore, say to the children of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will free you from their bondage. I will redeem and rescue you with an outstretched (vigorous, powerful) arm and with great acts of judgment [against Egypt]. 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 redeemed you and brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. I will bring you to the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel); and I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord [you have the promise of My changeless omnipotence and faithfulness].’” Moses told this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their impatience and despondency, and because of their forced labor." v.6-9

• "The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Go, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the children of Israel go out of his land.” But Moses said to the Lord, “Look, [my own people] the Israelites have not listened to me; so how then will Pharaoh listen to me, for I am unskilled and inept in speech?” v.10-12

My personal observations and reflections...

• GOD ASSURES AND REAFFIRMS HIS POWER TO MOSES. Last Chapter ended with Moses groaning to God-- but God said to Moses "Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh." The first request (message from God) to Pharaoh was to just allow the Israelites a 3 days off from work ("Please, let us go on a three days’ journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the Lord our God, so that He does not discipline us with pestilence or with the sword." Exodus 5:3) -- but now, God is telling Moses that with His strong hand, the Pharaoh will let them go, and with His strong hand he will drive all the Israelites (2-3 million population) out of the land of Egypt. 

It may be hard to believe, but there is nothing impossible with God. He is the Creator of the heavens and the earth. When it seems impossible for us to get out of the slavery of 'sin', be healed and restored from our iniquities, and have hope and light in our life-- God made a way. He sent His One and only Son, Jesus, to be our Savior, to be the propitiation for our sins, to give us a new life. All we need to do is to believe, put our trust in Him, and have faith in His power to deliver and guide us. Jesus is the ultimate plan of salvation, but in this particular part of the Bible, Moses was a picture of Christ and God's instrument to deliver the Israelites out of Egypt, out of slavery, and tyranny of the Pharaoh-- into the promised land, new life that God has promised and prepared for them. Just like the Israelites, are we willing to let go of our old life (old sins, habits, lifestyles) to embrace God's will for us, knowing that He is Almighty God and He knows what's best for us (no matter how hard it may be)? Or we will rather stay in the wilderness and let unbelief, doubt, and lack of faith hinder our walk..

"And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world." 1 John 2:2

• "I AM THE LORD." God made Himself known to Moses, and that was truly amazing. I have never heard the voice of God audibly, but only through the power of the Holy Spirit and His word (Bible), but it sure is awesome. God narrated everything-- that He appeared to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israelites forefathers) before, that He established His covenant to them, to give them the land of Canaan, wherein they lived as strangers/temporary residents. That means, God never forgets His promises, if He said it He will fulfill it in His time. Back to the present time, God repeated to Moses that He in fact took note of Israel's groanings due to Egypt's enslavement, and He remembers His covenant. God allowed Joseph and all his family to migrate to Egypt before so that they will not only survive the severe famine, but to also be fruitful and multiply. It happened, and the right time of God had come for the Israelites to return to Canaan.

* Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik:   
"a. I am the Lord: In reminding Moses of the great name of God (Yahweh), He confirmed that he remained the covenant-making and covenant-keeping God, who would absolutely fulfill His promise to Moses.
i. “When all human help has failed, and the soul, exhausted and despairing, has given up hope from man, God draws near, and says, I AM.” (Meyer) "

• "I WILL TAKE YOU AS MY PEOPLE, I WILL BE YOUR GOD." Isn't that the most wonderful, the greatest, and the sweetest thing? If I am not mistaken, this is the first time that God was saying this towards the Israelites.. This particular line sounds very personal, like God was seeking and pursuing you, "I will take you as my child, son or daughter, my people, and I will be your God." That was God wants the most, that we will have a personal and intimate relationship with God-- that we will worship, honor, trust and glorify Him as our Almighty God.

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy." 1 Peter 2:9-10

God told everything to Moses, so he can deliver that wonderful message (good news) to all the children of Israelites, but sadly, they did not listen because of their shortness (impatience) or anguish of spirit, and suffering from the cruel bondage. But God was patient and merciful, and faithful, because that's who He is. Just because we don't listen the first time, or we were not able to have faith, He will not fulfill what He promised. His love is really unconditional, and His words are true.

* Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik:  

"c. As God Almighty: In addition, though the patriarchs knew God Almighty (El Shaddai), they did not know Him as extensively and intimately as He would reveal Himself to Moses and his generation. They knew the power of God, but didn’t have the same personal relationship and revelation Moses would come to know.
i. For us, God wants to be more than God Almighty – He wants us also to know Him as a personal, promise making and promise keeping God, whom we can trust in everything. Believers should ask themselves if they really know God by such names.
ii. “The supreme need in every hour of difficulty and depression is a vision of God. To see Him is to see all else in proper proportion and perspective.” (Morgan)

(Exo 6:6-8) God’s promise of the seven “I wills” to Israel.  

i. The promises were glorious, and equally so in their spiritual application to believers today:
    · I will bring you out
    · I will rescue you from their bondage
    · I will redeem you
    · I will take you as My people
    · I will be your God
    · I will bring you into the land
    · I will give it to you as a heritage
ii. “Each of these verbs are in the Hebrew past (i.e., perfect) tense instead of the future tense, for so certain was God of their accomplishment that they were viewed as having been completed.” (Kaiser)
iii. There is a strong contrast with the later five I will statements of Satan in Isaiah 14:13-15. The great difference is that Satan was powerless to make any of his “I wills” come to pass. God is more than able to fulfill each of His promises.

b. Because of anguish of spirit and cruel bondage: This is why Israel doubted both God and His messenger. Their centuries of slavery made them think like slaves instead of people of the covenant. Pharaoh was bigger in their eyes than God was.
i. Anguish of spirit: “The NIV weakly translates ‘their discouragement’; but it was the inward pressure caused by deep anguish that prevented proper breathing – like children sobbing and gasping for their breath.” (Kaiser)
ii. Many Christians find themselves in the same place. They find it hard to trust God and believe that He is for them. This is why Paul says we must not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:1-2). The children of Israel needed their minds renewed, and we do also.
iii. Ezekiel 20:5-9 shows why God was so small and Pharaoh was so big in Israel’s heart during this time. Ezekiel explained that they trusted the gods of their oppressors, worshipping the gods of the Egyptians. This is why they didn’t trust God, and His messenger Moses. The reason why God did not judge Israel at the time was because He didn’t want His name profaned among the Gentiles. "

• UNSKILLED AND INEPT IN SPEECH. Eventhough Moses himself wrote and recorded the Exodus, he did not omit all the mistakes, or lack of faith that he may have had at the beginning of his calling from God. He is truly a man of God, made humble and truthful, and glorifying God despite his weaknesses. Nobody starts strong, but through God's careful guidance and discipline, one can have a slow but sure, steady growth-- in wisdom, in character, in strength, in leadership, boldness, etc. God said "Go, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the children of Israel go out of his land.”, but Moses admitted to God that he couldn't make the Israelites listen to him, how much more the Pharaoh.. Maybe this was how God was teaching Moses to rely on God's strength, and not on his own abilities or talents..

* Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik:  
"i. Note the ground for Moses’ discouragement: For I am of uncircumcised lips. Previously, he objected because he believed he was not eloquent (Exodus 4:10). Now he objected because he believed he was not worthy for the task. “That inability was now born of a sense, not as before of his lack of eloquence, but of his uncleanness.” (Morgan)

b. Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, and gave them a command: God wanted Moses to be persistent in their obedience; not to look at Pharaoh, not to look at the children of Israel, not to look at even himself – but to look at God and God alone.
i. Moses wanted to quit after the first setback. God had much to do in his heart before Moses would be ready to deal with all the discouragement ahead as he led Israel to the Promised Land.
ii. God was building endurance in Moses, the ability to stick with God’s plan and will even when it didn’t seem to work. This is faith; this is patient endurance in the Lord."

• LEVI DESCENDANTS. Ancient people seems to have great memory in remembering the family genealogies. I wonder if they memorize it by mind, or written it on some leaf, scroll, or rock. I don't even know some of my extended family or relatives by name. Anyway, this chapter records the details about the heads of Israel, namely Reuben, Simeon, and Levi (the first 3 sons of Jacob from Leah)-- with focus on the Tribe of Levi, tracing where Moses and Aaron came from.

https://kimberlinglutheran.com/2013/07/27/exodus-lesson-4-moses-becomes-the-face-of-god-to-pharaoh/

* Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik:   

"a. She bore him Aaron and Moses: This passage not only tells us the ancestors of Moses and Aaron, but also some of Aaron’s descendants. His sons listed here are Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar; and his grandson through Eleazar, whose name was Phinehas.
i. This portion is important because the priesthood that will eventually come from the family of Aaron will be passed down to his descendants. Therefore it was important to know exactly who his descendants were.
b. The sons of Korah (cousins to Moses and Aaron; their father Korah was Moses’ uncle) will also play part in a significant event before Israel reaches the Promised Land (Numbers 16)." 

http://raintreecommunitychurch.com/sermons/gods-ultimate-purpose-universe-exodus-6-7/

Read the Bible here: 

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+6&version=AMP#en-AMP-1659 

Reference and credits to https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide2017-Exd/Exd-6.cfm ©2013 David Guzik      

Exodus 5 - First Encounter with Pharaoh, Israel’s Labor Increased

https://www.goodsalt.com/details/rhpas0959.html

Summary https://marksbiblejourney.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-book-of-exodus-chapter-1-israel.html
"Moses and Aaron confront Pharaoh, and they tell him what God told them to say, "Let my people (the Israelites) go..."  Pharaoh's heart is hardened, and he does not let the Israelites go.  Instead, Pharaoh imposes heavier work on the Israelites.  He says the Israelites are slackers, and he does not let them leave to worship and sacrifice to their God in the wilderness.  The Israelites now think and confront Moses saying, that he and God has caused trouble for the Israelite people.  Moses returns to God at Mount Sinai, and he asks the Lord why He hasn't delivered the Israelites from bondage.  God responds by saying that Pharaoh, "will let them go because of My strong hand; he will drive them out of the land because of My strong hand."  God is referring to the ten plagues that will strike Egypt in the days to come."

Some key verses from the Amplified Bible (AMP) version..

• The very same day Pharaoh gave orders to the [Egyptian] taskmasters in charge of the people and their [Hebrew] foremen, saying, “You will no longer give the people straw to make brick as before; let them go and gather straw for themselves. But the number of bricks which they were making before, you shall [still] require of them; you are not to reduce it in the least. For they are idle and lazy; that is why they cry, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’ Let labor be heavier on the men, and let them work [hard] at it so that they will pay no attention to [their God’s] lying words.” v.6-9
• "Then they left Pharaoh’s presence, the foremen met Moses and Aaron, who were waiting for them. And the foremen said to them, “May the Lord look upon you and judge you, because you have made us odious (something hated) in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, and you have put a sword in their hand to kill us.” v.20-21
• "Then Moses turned again to the Lord and said, “O Lord, why have You brought harm and oppression to this people? Why did You ever send me? [I cannot understand Your purpose!] Ever since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has harmed and oppressed this people, and You have done nothing at all to rescue Your people.” v.22-23

My personal observations and reflections...

• LET MY PEOPLE GO, SAYS THE GOD OF ISRAEL. After meeting with the Israelite elders, Moses and Aaron proceeded to Pharaoh to deliver God's message, ‘Let My people go, so that they may celebrate a feast to Me in the wilderness.’ (v.1) But the Pharaoh outright rejected them, saying and questioning God's identity or authority, “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.” (v.2) Given the circumstances that Egypt worshiped a different God, and they feel higher in terms of disposition (and/or race) as compared to the Hebrews, I could understand the Pharaoh's answer or reasoning. It's expected that Pharaoh didn't know YHWH, Elohim, the God of Israel, and was not interested in Him, since he was king and ruler of the land of Egypt. Plus, God warned Moses that Pharaoh's heart will be hard or hardened.

* Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik:   

"a. Moses and Aaron went in and told Pharaoh: This confrontation took tremendous courage, and Moses and Aaron should be commended for their obedience to God in doing it.
i. Pharaoh was nothing like a public servant; the entire public lived to serve the Pharaoh. His power and authority were supreme and there was no constitution or law or legislature higher or even remotely equal to him.
ii. The Pharaohs were said to be the children of the sun; they were friends to the greatest gods of Egypt and sat with them in their own temples to receive worship alongside them.
iii. An inscription by a Pharaoh on an ancient Egyptian temple gives the idea: “I am that which was, and is, and shall be, and no man has lifted my veil.” (Meyer) The Pharaoh was more than a man; he considered himself a god, and the Egyptians agreed.
iv. Having grown up in the royal courts of Egypt, Moses knew this well; but he also knew that Pharaoh was just a man. With the authority of the living God, Moses confronted Pharaoh.

b. Let My people go: The fundamental demand of God to Pharaoh (through His messengers Moses and Aaron) was freedom for His people. God asserted that Israel belonged to Him, not Pharaoh; and therefore, that they should be free. Those who belong to God should be free, not bound. 

d. Please, let us go three days’ journey into the desert and sacrifice to the Lord our God: Moses relayed the demand God first gave him back at Exodus 3:18. God presented the smaller request to Pharaoh first so that the request would be as appealing and as easy to accept as possible. He did this so Pharaoh would have no excuse at all for refusing God and hardening his heart."

• DOUBLE THE BURDEN. It seems, the Pharaoh did not want to listen anymore to Moses and Aaron, and all of a sudden he said “Why do you take the people away from their work? Get back to your burdens!” (v.4) Not only that, he thought of 'punishing' and making the labor harder by not providing the straw in making bricks. Instead, the Israelites were to find and gather their own straws, but they were still required to finish their quota. It was a sad, and hard situation. Unfair, as well. The Israelites with the help of the Hebrew foremen failed to meet the required quota for many days and they were beaten by the Egyptians.

*Bible Footnotes: Exodus 5:7 "Straw served as a binding agent with the mud, nearly tripling the strength of the brick."

Straw and clay http://mtseymourunited.com/whos-telling-our-story/

* "Pharaoh tells the Israelites that they are lazy. We know they aren’t – they want to be free; a reasonable request, but Pharaoh isn’t interested in a fair evaluation in the situation; Pharaoh is interested in keeping the status quo, because Pharaoh is scared. The Israelites outnumber Egyptians in the land, but the economy depends on their unpaid labour, so Pharaoh can’t let them go, but now they’re dangerous, because they’re starting to get uppity and ask for freedom." http://mtseymourunited.com/whos-telling-our-story/

* Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik:   
"c. For they are idle; therefore they cry out: To punish Israel for the request and to give them more work (“You seem to have enough time to make these crazy requests – then you must have enough time to work more!”), Pharaoh commanded that the Israelites must gather their own materials (specifically, straw) for making bricks.
i. Straw has an acidic content that makes the bricks stronger. The use of straw in making bricks in Egypt during this period is confirmed by archaeology. “Bricks of all sorts have been found in Egypt, some with regularly chopped straw, some with rough roots and oddments, some without straw at all.” (Cole)
ii. “Chopped straw was mixed in with the clay to make the bricks more pliable and stronger by first binding the clay together and then by decaying and releasing a humic acid.” (Kaiser)
iii. “The eastern bricks are often made of clay and straw kneaded together, and then not burned, but thoroughly dried in the sun. This is expressly mentioned by Philo…’because straw is the bond by which the brick is held together.'” (Clarke) 

 https://www.goodsalt.com/details/prcas0138.html

• HEBREW FOREMEN CRIED TO PHARAOH. The Hebrew foremen came to Pharaoh and they appealed of their current situation, but the Pharaoh just repeated what he said to Moses and Aaron, “You are lazy, very lazy and idle! That is why you say, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord.’ (v.17) Was it because of pride, hardening of heart, that's why Pharaoh said that again? Or that was his way of belittling them since they were just 'slaves'. Being a slave means you are owned, you have no (or less) rights. At this point, all the Israelites, including Moses and Aaron were helpless. But we know that God was in control, and He is more mighty and powerful. The Hebrew foremen expressed their anger and disappointment to Moses and Aaron, saying “May the Lord look upon you and judge you, because you have made us odious (something hated) in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, and you have put a sword in their hand to kill us.” (v.21)

* Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik:   
"a. The officers of the children of Israel came and cried out to Pharaoh: In their trouble, the children of Israel did not turn to God; they did not turn to Moses. Instead, they looked to Pharaoh for help. They felt that their previous bondage was better than their current increased misery.
i. It is wrong to simply say that Israel loved their slavery. Exodus 2:23 says, the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and the cried out; and their cry came up to God because of their bondage. Yet what God allows and even performs in the work of bringing freedom made it feel worse, at least for a time. 

c. You have made us abhorrent in the sight of Pharaoh: They believed this was the wrong Moses did. When Israel was an obedient slave to Pharaoh, they thought he was their friend. Now that the idea of freedom had entered, Pharaoh showed how he felt about them all along.
i. Satan sometimes seems friendly to us when we accept his lordship; but when we start to be free in Jesus, he often will try to make life difficult for us.
ii. Exodus 4:31 said So the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel and that He had looked on their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped. After the counter-attack of Pharaoh, the faith, excitement, and worship of Exodus 4:31 was gone pretty quickly.
iii. God allowed all this; in fact you could say that He designed it. In theory, God could have freed Israel from Egypt without a struggle on their part. Yet He knew that was not good or best for them; that for them to make the transition from slaves to free people of the promised land, that some testing and stretching was absolutely necessary. "

• MOSES TURNED TO GOD. And that was the best thing to do, to look to God, and to lay all our burdens to Him. With all the miracles and promises that God showed Moses, I wonder if what he expressed to God was a 'lack of faith'. It was obvious that Moses was a 'work in progress' here, eversince God called him through the burning bush at Mt. Sinai. It might seem that God was doing nothing, but in the spiritual realm God was very present and He knows exactly what was happening. He was just beginning.

Moses beseeches the Lord (Exodus 5:22, 23)  

https://st-takla.org/bible/commentary/en/ot/matthew-henry/exodus/ch5.html

* Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik:   
"a. Lord, why have You brought trouble on this people? It was a good question, and Moses did well to so boldly speak his heart to God. Yet Moses had already forgotten what God told him at the burning bush, that Pharaoh would not easily let go of Israel.
i. Moses did right in speaking his heart to God. “Happy is the man who when he cannot understand the divine movement and, indeed, doubts it has yet faith enough in God Himself to tell Him all his doubt. Those who face men, having the right to say to them, ‘Thus saith Jehovah’ have also the right to return to Jehovah and state the difficulties, and expose openly their own doubts and fears.” (Morgan)
ii. Moses did wrong in forgetting what God had said. The Lord told him, I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not even by a mighty hand. So I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My wonders which I will do in its midst; and after that he will let you go. (Exodus 3:19-20)
iii. If God were to give Moses and extended explanation to answer the question, it might go like this: “Moses, I brought trouble because I am interested in more than simply freeing Israel from slavery; I want to transform them from a slave people into a people fit for My promised land. This doesn’t happen quickly or easily, and it involved countless expressions of both trust and surrender. Trust Me in this trouble, and I will use it for Israel’s good and My glory.”

b. Why is it You have sent me? In this season of testing, the same old fears came crashing in on Moses: “I’m not the man God should send.” “God won’t come through.” “Pharaoh and the Egyptians are too strong.” There was still unbelief and lack of focus on God that had to be worked out of Moses.
i. “The agony of soul through which Moses passed must have been as death to him. He died to his self-esteem, to his castle-building, to pride in his miracles, to the enthusiasm of his people, to everything that a popular leader loves. As he lay there on the ground alone before God, wishing himself back in Midian, and thinking himself hardly used, he was falling as a grain of wheat into the ground to die, no longer to abide alone, but to bear much fruit.” (Meyer)
ii. Moses probably thought that the dying to himself was finished after 40 years of tending sheep in Midian, but it wasn’t. It never is. God still will use adversity to train us to trust in Him until the day we go to be with Him in heaven.

c. Neither have You delivered Your people at all: It seems that despite God’s previous warning, something in Moses hoped that it would all come rather easy. Yet God’s deliverance was real, and would soon be seen for Israel. Israel felt that it was sometimes difficult to be in God’s will; but they would see how much worse it was to be against God’s will." 

Read the Bible here: 

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+5&version=AMP

Reference and credits to https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide2017-Exd/Exd-5.cfm ©2013 David Guzik    

Exodus 4 - Miraculous Signs for Pharaoh

https://freedailybiblestudy.com/february-21st-bible-meditation-exodus-4/

Summary https://marksbiblejourney.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-book-of-exodus-chapter-1-israel.html
"God encourages Moses to be bold when speaking with Pharaoh and the Egyptians.  He also equips Moses with three miraculous signs if the Pharaoh does not believe Moses spoke with God.  God also tells Moses that Aaron the Levite, Moses' brother, will be his spokesman.  Aaron will help Moses with public affairs since Moses is not eloquent with public speaking.  Moses then tells his father-in-law, Jethro, that he must depart and return to Egypt.  Moses returns to Egypt on a donkey with his wife and sons.  Moses carries God's staff.  God tells Aaron to meet Moses at Mount Sinai, or the mountain of God.  Moses meets with Aaron, and Moses explains what God has told them to do.  Moses and Aaron then go to all the elders of the Israelites, and they tell them what God intends to do:  God will free the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and bring them to a Promised Land."

Some key verses from the Amplified Bible (AMP) version..

• "Then He said, “Throw it on the ground.” So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a [living] serpent [like the royal symbol on the crown of Pharaoh]; and Moses ran from it. But the Lord said to Moses, “Reach out your hand and grasp it by the tail.” So he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand— [“You shall do this,” said the Lord,] “so that the elders may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has [most certainly] appeared to you.” v.3-5

• "Then Moses said to the Lord, “Please, Lord, I am not a man of words (eloquent, fluent), neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and tongue.” The Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute or the deaf, or the seeing or the blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and will teach you what you shall say.” But he said, “Please my Lord, send the message [of rescue to Israel] by [someone else,] whomever else You will [choose].” v.10-13

• "The Lord said to Aaron, “Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.” So he went and met him at the mountain of God (Sinai) and kissed him. Moses told Aaron all the words of the Lord with which He had sent him, and all the signs that He had commanded him to do. Then Moses and Aaron went [into Egypt] and assembled all the elders of the Israelites; and Aaron said all the words which the Lord had spoken to Moses. Then Moses performed the signs [given to him by God] before the people. So the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord was concerned about the Israelites and that He had looked [with compassion] on their suffering, then they bowed their heads and worshiped [the Lord]." v.27-31

My personal observations and reflections...

• MOSES HESITATED, BUT GOD WAS PATIENT. God was calling and raising up Moses as a 'mediator' between the Israelites and God, but he seemed a little afraid, doubtful and reluctant.. After 40 years of living as a shepherd in Midian, I could somehow understand where Moses was coming from. It's always hard to go out of our comfort zone, especially when we just focus on our own selves or our own strength. The key is looking unto God, and His strength and power to use us for His glory and honor.

Moses concerns was valid though, and he showed truthfulness when he expressed his doubts and asked his questions to God. What if they don't believe and take seriously what Moses says (God's message)? So God generously displayed His awesome powers and wonderful signs to Joseph!

* Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik:   
"i. It was good when Moses had no confidence in the flesh; but it was bad that he then lacked confidence in God. In view of the burning bush, the voice of God, and the divine encounter, there was no place for Moses to say, “But.”
ii. “We are ever prone, when God is calling us to some high service, to say ‘But,’ and this to introduce our statement of the difficulties as we see them.” (Morgan)

a. What is that in your hand? This reflects a precious principle regarding how God uses people – God used what Moses had in his hand. Moses’ years of tending sheep were not useless. Those years had put into Moses hand things he could use for God’s glory. God didn’t use the scepter that was in Moses’ royal hand when he lived in Egypt, but He did use the simple shepherd’s staff.
i. God likes to use what is in our hand.
    · God used what was in Shamgar’s hand (Judges 3:31)
    · God used what was in David’s hand (1 Samuel 17:49)
    · God used the jawbone of a donkey in Samson’s hand (Judges 15:15)
    · God used five loaves and two fish in the hand of a little boy (John 6:9)"

• A STAFF THAT BECAME A SNAKE. The first sign was astounding! God made Moses throw his staff (used for shepherding the flock), and God turned it into a living serpent [like the royal symbol on the crown of Pharaoh]. What a miracle! That must have been amazing to see, eventhough snakes are scary. Moses ran from it, but the Lord told Moses to reach out and grasp it by the tail. When Moses did that, the snake turned into a staff again. God said that Moses shall do that (throwing the staff, and reaching the snake by the tail), and the elders will believe that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob truly appeared to Moses.

Why the serpent? At first it reminds me of when Adam and Eve "sinned" in the Garden of Eden. But interestingly, the snake was a royal symbol on the crown of the Pharaoh, and Moses will also showcase that God's miraculous sign before the Pharaoh. This shows that God is the most powerful, Jesus is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!

"The rod becomes a serpent (Exodus 4:3-5)"

https://st-takla.org/bible/commentary/en/ot/matthew-henry/exodus/ch4.html

"Uraeus is the stylized, upright form of an Egyptian spitting cobra (asp, serpent, or snake),
used as a symbol of sovereignty, royalty, deity, and divine authority in ancient Egypt."

https://www.crystalinks.com/uraeus.html  

• HAND TURNED SICK, AND GOT HEALED. As a second sign, the Lord told Moses to put one hand inside his robe, and when he took it out, it was white as snow, and leprous. (Exodus 4:6 The Hebrew term for “leprous” referred to any of several severe rashes or skin diseases, including Hansen’s disease (true leprosy). God commanded Moses to put his hand again inside his robe, and then God restored it. This was not usually depicted in the movies, so it was really interesting to know! God is truly amazing. This shows me that it is God who control all the elements, He is the Creator of our bodies and everything in the world, the giver of life, the Author of life.

https://www.fromreformationtoreformation.com/post/exodus-4-6-9-a-leprous-hand-and-waters-of-blood

Surely with these 2 signs, the people will believe in the powerful God. But if not, Moses is 'to take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground; and the water which he take out of the river will turn into blood on the dry ground.' (v.9)

* Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik:  
"b. The water which you take from the river will become blood on the dry land: The third sign was simply a sign of judgment. Good, pure waters were made foul and bloody by the work of God and they did not turn back again. This showed that if the miracles of transformation did not turn the hearts of the people, then perhaps the sign of judgment would. If they do not believe even these two signs, or listen to your voice shows that if the sign of judgment was only given when unbelief persisted in the face of the miracles of transformation right before them."

• SEND SOMEONE ELSE. After all the powerful signs that God showed Moses, he was still concerned about (his lack of) abilities, citing that he was not eloquent, and fluent, and that he is slow of speech and tongue (Exodus 4:10 Lit heavy of mouth and heavy of tongue.) I wonder what Moses meant by that, did he stutter, or have any difficulty speaking, maybe a fear of public speaking, a diminished confidence eversince fleeing and turning away as a prince of Egypt?

The Lord responded by saying that it is He who made the man's mouth, that He will be Moses' mouth, and He will teach Moses what he will say. Even after God said all that and "Go" to Moses, he still begged for God to choose and send someone else. But God won't change His mind!

* Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik:  
"ii. If Moses was a poor speaker, it didn’t matter – the mighty God said, “I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.” By extension, God is sufficient for us, no matter what real or imagined inadequacies we have." 

• GOD'S RIGHTEOUS ANGER. Even though "the anger of the Lord was kindled and burned against Moses" (v.14), because of Moses' unwillingness and reluctance-- God still made a way for Moses to obey and answer the call. God will be sending Moses' brother, Aaron the Levite, who speaks fluently. In fact, he will be coming to meet Moses, and when they see each other, Aaron will be overjoyed. God in His infinite wisdom has arranged everything in advance, and in perfect order.

"You must speak to him and put the words in his mouth; I, even I, will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you are to do. Moreover, he shall speak for you to the people; he will act as a mouthpiece for you, and you will be as God to him [telling him what I say to you]. You shall take in your hand this staff, with which you shall perform the signs [the miracles which prove I sent you].” v.15-17

So, it will be a teamwork between Moses and Aaron..? It seems that God is showing something here. Even though Moses was feeling weak, he will be like a 'God' to his brother Aaron, for he will be transferring or telling him God's messages. Despite his limitations, Moses was a man of God and a prophet.

* Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik:  

"i. There may be a hundred understandable reasons why Moses was unwilling, some of them making a lot of sense. Perhaps Moses really wanted to serve, but was unwilling because of past rejection. Nevertheless, the basic truth was that Moses was unwilling, not unable. 

c. Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well: When God brought Aaron to help lead with Moses, it was an expression of His chastening to Moses, not of His approval or giving in to Moses. Aaron was more of a problem to Moses than help.
i. Aaron did turn out to be a source of problems for Moses. Aaron instigated the worship of the golden calf, fashioning the calf himself and building the altar himself (Exodus 32:1-6). Aaron’s sons blasphemed God with impure offerings (Leviticus 10:1-7). At one time, Aaron openly led a mutiny against Moses (Numbers 12:1-8).
ii. As these episodes unfolded, Moses surely looked back at why the Lord gave Aaron to Moses as a partner – because God was angry at Moses’ unwillingness.

d. I know that he can speak well: Aaron was a smooth talker, but a man weak on content. Moses had to put the words of God into the mouth of Aaron (you shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth). In this sense Aaron was like a modern-day news reader, who does nothing but read what others have written for him.
i. Aaron wasn’t God’s spokesman; he was the spokesman of Moses. God doesn’t need leaders like this. It isn’t God’s way to have a man minister as a smooth talker but not be qualified for leadership. God wants to combine the offices of “talker” and “leader.”

• MOSES FINALLY OBEYED. Satisfied with God's ways, and maybe having no choice but to partake in the privilege of fulfilling God's plans, Moses went away and asked his father in law Jethro to let him go back and return to his relatives in Egypt. Jethro allowed him to go in peace, maybe God also spoke to him-- either way, it's all God's favor. God seems to assure Moses that he can go back to Egypt without fear as all the men seeking for his life (for the murder of an Egyptian taskmaster) were all dead. He took his wife Zipporah, and his sons Gershom and Eliezer, and the staff.

• PHARAOH'S HEART WILL BE HARD AND STUBBORN. And he will not let the people go (easily). God, in advance, told this circumstance to Moses so that he will not lose heart or give up, perhaps.. It's gonna be hard, but Moses can be assured that God is in control. And it is all for the greater glory of God.

"Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Israel is My son, My firstborn. So I say to you, ‘Let My son go so that he may serve Me’; and if you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your son, your firstborn.” v.22-23

* Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik:  
"ii. Who really hardened Pharaoh’s heart? We might say that it was both God and Pharaoh; but whenever God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, He never did it against Pharaoh’s will. Pharaoh never said, “Oh, I want to do what is good and right and I want to bless these people of Israel” and God answered, “No, for I will harden your heart against them!” When God hardened, He allowed Pharaoh’s heart to do what Pharaoh wanted to do – God gave Pharaoh over to his sin (Romans 1:18-32)."

• MOSES GOT DEATHLY ILL. Due to Moses' disobedience of God's covenant to Abraham (because he had not circumcised one of his sons), God allowed Moses to be sick. Moses was about to do a great calling before God, so God had to address this problem in Moses' life.

* Bible Footnotes: Exodus 4:25 "Moses had not circumcised his son in obedience to the commandment that God had given to Abraham and his descendants (Gen 17:10 ff). It is possible that Moses refrained from doing the procedure because his wife Zipporah, a Midianite, had objected. If so, Zipporah now reluctantly performed the procedure herself as a last resort to save Moses’ life, not hiding her disgust over the situation."

We must obey God no matter what, because disobedience will always have consequences. And God does not want that to happen to us. In the story, maybe Zipporah had to do the act of circumcision because Moses was so weakly sick, that's why she said to Moses “You are a husband of blood to me.” She must have been overwhelmed by the mere act of doing it herself, and the amount of blood that came from doing the circumcision to his son.

• AARON CALLED BY GOD. As previously mentioned to Moses, God spoke to Aaron, who also came from the priestly tribe of Levi. Aaron also obeyed God and met Moses at the Mt. Sinai (mountain of God). As commanded, Moses told everything to his brother Aaron. Together, they went to Egypt and assembled all the elders of the Israelites (how many was that?) Aaron the fluent was the one who spoke to the crowd, everything that God told Moses. Then, Moses performed the signs from God, and the people believed. Upon knowing God's compassion in their sufferings, they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord. What a sight to behold was that! Broken people having hope, being moved by God's power, they all worshiped God.

* Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik:  
"i. “Aaron, who came to meet Moses, could speak well; but he was a weak man, whose alliance with Moses caused his nobler younger brother much anxiety and pain.” (Meyer) "





Read the Bible:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+4&version=AMP

Reference and credits to https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide2017-Exd/Exd-4.cfm ©2013 David Guzik   

Exodus 3 - Moses at the Burning Bush

http://discoversinai.net/english/mount-sinai-hiking-trail/6318

https://michaelruark.blog/2013/02/22/mount-sinai-in-arabia-jebel-el-lawz/ 

Summary https://marksbiblejourney.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-book-of-exodus-chapter-1-israel.html
"Moses becomes a shepherd for his father-in-law Reuel, also known as Jethro.  One day, Moses takes the flock he is shepherding to Horeb, or Mount Sinai.  The Angel of the Lord appears to him in the form of a burning bush.  The bush does not burn up, so Moses investigates.  God speaks to Moses through the burning bush.  God tells Moses that He knows about the Hebrews' suffering in the land of Egypt.  God tells Moses to go to Pharaoh, so that he can lead God's people, the Israelites, out of Egypt and into Canaan.  Canaan will one day be the land of Israel.  God informs Moses that the Pharaoh of Egypt will not agree to let the Israelites leave Egypt.  God promises to strike Egypt with all kinds of plagues/miracles until the Pharaoh lets the Israelites go.  The Egyptians will want the Israelites to leave after God is through with them, and the Israelites will leave with Egyptian plunder."

Some key verses from the Amplified Bible (AMP) version..

• "The Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing flame of fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was on fire, yet it was not consumed. So Moses said, “I must turn away [from the flock] and see this great sight—why the bush is not burned up.” When the Lord saw that he turned away [from the flock] to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then God said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet [out of respect], because the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” Then He said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Then Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God." v.2-6

• "Therefore, come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh, and then bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” And God said, “Certainly I will be with you, and this shall be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve and worship God at this mountain.” v.10-12

• God said to Moses, “I Am Who I Am”; and He said, “You shall say this to the Israelites, ‘I Am has sent me to you.’” Then God also said to Moses, “This is what you shall say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob (Israel), has sent me to you.’ This is My Name forever, and this is My memorial [name] to all generations." v.14-15

My personal observations and reflections...

God remembers the suffering of the Israelites in Egypt, and He has a plan on how to rescue and drive them out of the land and hands of the oppressive Pharaoh and Egyptians. The once royal prince/heir of Egypt, Moses-- was prepared by God for a great calling. He was born from a priestly tribe, Levi, and God led him to have a priest father in-law too, Reuel/Jethro (of Midian). He was a Hebrew, and God will make him a blessing to all the Hebrew, Israelites, chosen people of God.

• BURNING BUSH.🔥 Another 40 years have passed, and Moses was 80 y/o at this point. While doing his duties as a shepherd, keeping the flocks, in the west side of the wilderness and to Horeb (Sinai), the mountain of God-- something unusual, unbelievable and wonderful happened. A bush was on fire, but it was not being consumed. It just kept burning. That was the Angel of the Lord appearing to Moses in a blazing flame of fire. Moses looked, but it was such a great sight and he wanted to check why it was not burning up. He turned away from the flock, and God called Moses from the midst of the bush, wow!😱 I would have been stunned and speechless, but Moses immediately said "Here I am." God warned Moses to not come near, and take his sandals off, as the place he was currently standing on was holy ground. God reaffirmed who He was to Moses, He was the God of his ancestors (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). God is a God of eternity and all the generations! Even after many many years (like 500 plus) since He called Abraham and made a covenant to bring him to a promised land, and bless the world with the promised 'Son'-- God was faithful and true. And He will forever be.

Understandably, Moses was afraid to look at God and he hid his face. Being an unholy human being, we cannot look at God and not die in the process, we simply can't look at the face of God. I can't wait for the moment that we can, when we are in heaven-- still I am grateful that even if we can't right now, we know that His presence and His face are always upon us (because of what Jesus has done for us:)

"God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?" Numbers 23:19

"I lift up my eyes to the hills.
    From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved;
    he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep." Psalm 121:1-4

http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/missiology-through-scripture-exodus-37-10/

* Bible Footnotes: Exodus 3:2 “Angel of the Lord” has been capitalized here to reflect the likelihood that it is God appearing in a visible form (see vv 4, 6; also note Gen 16:7).

* Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik:  

"i. “Though the bush burned with fire, it did not crackle or diminish, no leaf curled and no branch charred. It burned, but was not consumed.” (Meyer)

ii. The bush burning but not being consumed was a magnetic sight to Moses – it drew him in for a closer examination. Some think the burning bush to be a symbol of Israel, or the people of God more generally – afflicted but not destroyed, because God is in the midst of them.

iii. Yet we can also say that the burning bush was a picture of the cross. The Hebrew word used to describe this bush is comes from the word “to stick or to prick,” this meaning a thorn-bush or bramble. We can think of the cross – where Jesus, crowned with thorns, endured the fires of judgment and yet was not consumed by them – and be reminded of the cross when we consider the burning bush.

v. Clarke on the Angel of the Lord: “Not a created angel certainly, for he is called Jehovah, Exodus 3:4 and has the most expressive attributes of the Godhead applied to him…Yet he is an angel, malach, a messenger, in whom was the name of God….And who is this but Jesus, the Leader, Redeemer, and Saviour of all mankind? 

God didn’t speak to Moses until He had Moses’ attention. Often God’s Word doesn’t touch our heart the way that it might because we don’t give it our attention.

i. The burning bush was a spectacular phenomenon that captured Moses’ attention; but it changed nothing until Moses received the Word of God that came to him there.

i. Undoubtedly, this is another occasion where Jesus appeared before His incarnation in the Old Testament as the Angel of the Lord, as He did many times (Genesis 16:7-13, Judges 2:1-5, Judges 6:11-24, Judges 13:3-22).
ii. We say this is God, in the Person of Jesus Christ, because of God the Father, it is said No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him (John 1:18), and that no man has ever seen God in the Person of the Father (1 Timothy 6:16).

c. Moses, Moses! God’s first words to Moses called him by name. This shows that even though Moses was now an obscure, forgotten shepherd on the backside of the desert, God knew who he was, and Moses was important to God.
i. The double call (Moses, Moses!) implied importance and urgency, as when God called Abraham, Abraham! (Genesis 22:11), Samuel, Samuel! (1 Samuel 3:10), Simon, Simon (Luke 22:31), Martha, Martha (Luke 10:41), and Saul, Saul (Acts 9:4).”

• GOD CARES. The Lord said, “I have in fact seen the affliction", "I know their pain and suffering, "So I have come down to rescue them from the hand (power) of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a land [that is] good and spacious, to a land flowing with milk and honey [a land of plenty]." That was really an awesome and unconditional love of God. In reality, mankind was sinful, we are all sinful (Romans 3:23, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God)-- yet God was rich in mercy, patience and love. We have not done anything to God to merit or deserve His lovingkindness and goodness-- but God is who He is, He is love, He is holy and He is always true.

"When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,

what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them? 

You have made them d a little lower than the angels e
and crowned them f with glory and honor." Psalm 8:3-5

* Bible Footnotes: Exodus 3:8 "This phrase referred to the abundant fertility of the land of Canaan. Milk (typically that of goats and sheep) was associated with abundance; “honey” referred mainly to syrups made from dates or grapes and was the epitome of sweetness. Bees’ honey was very rare and was considered the choicest of foods."

• MOSES COMMISSIONED BY GOD. After expressing His compassion, love and concern-- God declared His step-by-step plan to Moses. The whole Chapter is all about God talking to Moses, it's a rather long conversation wherein Moses was even able to ask follow up questions to God. In a nutshell, God just told 'everything' that will happen to Moses.

- "I will send you to Pharaoh"
- “You shall say this to the Israelites, ‘I Am has sent me to you.’”
- "Go, gather the elders (tribal leaders) of Israel together,"
- "The elders [of the tribes] will listen and pay attention to what you say; and you, with the elders of Israel, shall go to the king of Egypt and you shall say to him, ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; so now, please, [we ask and plead with you,] let us go on a three days’ journey into the wilderness, so that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God.’"
- "But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless [he is forced] by a strong hand. So I will reach out My hand and strike Egypt with all My wonders which I shall do in the midst of it; and after that he will let you go."
- "I will grant this people favor and respect in the sight of the Egyptians; therefore, it shall be that when you go, you will not go empty-handed."

Notice the statements that God made, it is "He" ("I") who will do everything, Moses just have to trust and obey God. I believe that that is the same even in our lives today, God will fulfill His good, perfect and pleasing will in our lives-- we just need to believe, trust and hope in His power, and in the power of His love. And we cannot do that without faith.

* Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik:  
"i. God could do it all by Himself, but it is most often God’s plan to work with and through people, as we are workers together with Him (2 Corinthians 6:1).

b. I will certainly be with you: God’s reply is intended to take Moses’ focus off of himself and on where it should be – on God. Therefore, God never answered the question “Who am I?” Instead, He reminded Moses “I will certainly be with you.” "

• WHO AM I? Realizing that he's basically a nobody eversince fleeing from Egypt, I could understand Moses reaction to God upon choosing him.. As an 80 y/o family man, living simply as a shepherd, Moses seemed contented in his life. But God had other plans. Eventhough Pharaoh was a powerful man, God was the most powerful of all. God assured Moses that He will be with him. God even promised a sign to Moses, after He successfully bring the people out of Egypt, Moses and the people shall serve and worship God on the same mountain (Mt. Sinai).

"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." 1 Corinthians 1:27

*"Modern missionaries, like Moses, are reluctant servants who don’t necessarily possess the greatest skills, but possess the needed willingness. Like Moses, missionaries doubt their abilities and whether they are properly gifted to accomplish God’s will. Like Moses, modern missionaries are simply obedient vessels who go into foreign lands to be used by God to bring redemption to his elect people. God could save the lost more effectively by calling the trees and rocks to go forth and share the gospel. In his infinite wisdom, God continues to call doubting and unpredictable sinners to other cultures to bring his good news." http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/missiology-through-scripture-exodus-37-10/

• "I AM WHO I AM". "Related to the name of God, YHWH, rendered Lord, which is derived from the verb HAYAH, to be." (Bible Footnotes, Exodus 3:14)

"Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” John 8:58

* Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik:  
b. And God said to Moses, “I Am Who I Am.” It might seem nonsensical to refer to one’s self with the phrase, “I Am Who I Am.” Yet it reveals something important about God – that He has no equal. 
iv. Yahweh was not a new name, nor an unknown name – it appears more than 160 times in the book of Genesis. Moses’ mother’s name was Jochabed meaning Yahweh is my glory. Moses and Israel knew the name Yahweh. God did not give Moses a previously unknown name of God, but the name they had known before. God called them back to the faith of the patriarchs, not to something “new.

d. I Am: This is a divine title that Jesus took upon Himself often, clearly identifying Himself with the voice from the burning bush.
i. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I Am [He], you will die in your sins. (John 8:24)
ii. Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I Am [He], and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.” (John 8:28)
iii. Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I Am.” (John 8:58)
iv. Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I Am (John 13:19)
v. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?” They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I Am [He].” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. Now when He said to them, “I am [He],” they drew back and fell to the ground. (John 18:4-6) ” 

• GOD WILL SHOW FAVOR AND PROVIDE. Bible Footnotes said "This indicates that the Egyptians had occupied the Israelites’ homes and confiscated their possessions as part of Pharaoh’s policy of enslavement. Later, after suffering all the plagues, the Egyptians would be more than willing to give the Israelites whatever they asked, in order to be rid of them." (Exodus 3:22)

I think that the articles of gold and silver that they will receive from the Egyptians will be the thing that they will use to make an idol or golden calf while Moses was with God receiving the 10 Commandments.. Moses didn't know yet that this journey will be hard and will take 40 years (because of Israel's disobedience), but BY FAITH, Moses obeyed and trusted God.

* Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik:  
"b. I will give this people favor…you shall not go empty-handed: God promised to arrange things not only to move Pharaoh’s heart, but also to move the heart of the Egyptian people so that when Israel did depart, they would be showered with silver and gold and clothing. This was not stealing or extortion, it was the appropriate wages for the years of forced labor."




Read the Bible:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+3&version=AMP#en-AMP-1594

Reference and credits to https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide2017-Exd/Exd-3.cfm ©2013 David Guzik  

Exodus 2 - The Birth of Moses

http://geraldwhitely.blogspot.com/2015/07/exodus-21-6.html

Summary https://marksbiblejourney.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-book-of-exodus-chapter-1-israel.html 

"A man, descended from the tribe of Levi, married a woman, descended from the tribe of Levi.  The descendants of Levi are known as Levites.  The woman became pregnant and gave birth to a baby boy.  She hid him for three months because of the "baby-killing" decree.  She could no longer hide the child, so she made a basket and placed the baby inside.  She placed the basket and baby in the Nile River.  Pharaoh's daughter finds the basket and the child within among some reeds in the Nile River where she is bathing.  She knows that it is one of the Hebrew boys, but Pharaoh's daughter has one of her servants nurse the child as her own son.  The child grows older and he becomes Pharaoh's daughter's son.  She names him Moses (meaning 'drawing out' or 'born') because she drew him out of the water.  Years later, Moses grows up and becomes a taskmaster over his own people.  By this time his Egyptian mother has told him that he is a Hebrew.  One day while observing the forced labor of his people he sees an Egyptian beating a Hebrew.  Moses strikes the Egyptian, kills him, and hid him in the sand.  The next day, two fighting Hebrews judge Moses because they now he killed an Egyptian.  They say, "who are you to stop our fighting when you killed someone."  Pharaoh finds out that Moses killed an Egyptian, and he tries to kill him.  Moses flees Egypt to go live in the land of Midian.  He sits down by a well.  The seven daughters of the priest of Midian, Reuel, come to the well to draw water for their father's flock.  Shepherds arrive at the well at the same time and drive the daughters away.  Moses comes to the rescue and waters their flock for them.  The girls tell this to their father, Reuel, the priest of Midian.  Moses is invited to dinner at Reuel's house.  He gives his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage.  She gives birth to a son named Gershom, for he said, "I have become a stranger in a foreign land."  After a long time, the king of Egypt dies, and the Israelites are still suffering from forced labor.  God saw and heard the pleas for help from the Israelites and He took notice."

Some key verses from the Amplified Bible (AMP) version..

• "The woman conceived and gave birth to a son; and when she saw that he was [especially] beautiful and healthy, she hid him for three months [to protect him from the Egyptians]. When she could no longer hide him, she got him a basket (chest) made of papyrus reeds and covered it with tar and pitch [making it waterproof]. Then she put the child in it and set it among the reeds by the bank of the Nile." v.2-3

• "Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the Nile, and [she, together with] her maidens walked along the river’s bank; she saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid [to get it], and she brought it to her. When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. And she took pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” v.5-6

• "And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. And she named him Moses, and said, “Because I drew him out of the water.” v.10

• "One day, after Moses had grown [into adulthood], it happened that he went to his countrymen and looked [with compassion] at their hard labors; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his countrymen. He turned to look around, and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand" v.11-12

• "When Pharaoh heard about this matter, he tried to kill Moses. Then Moses fled from Pharaoh’s presence and took refuge in the land of Midian, where he sat down by a well."

• "Moses was willing to remain with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah [to be his wife]. She gave birth to a son, and he named him Gershom (stranger); for he said, “I have been a stranger in a foreign land.” v.21-22

• "Now it happened after a long time [about forty years] that the king of Egypt died. And the children of Israel (Jacob) groaned and sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out. And their cry for help because of their bondage [h]ascended to God. So God heard their groaning and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel). God saw the sons of Israel, and God took notice [of them] and was concerned about them [knowing all, understanding all, remembering all]." v.23-25

My personal observations and reflections...

Several generations and 350 years later, this chapter introduces God's main man Moses, whom He will use mightily to deliver a million of Israelites, out of the land of Egypt, back to Canaan, His promised land.. Since Moses was the one who wrote/recorded the Exodus (along with the rest of the Pentateuch, first five books of the Bible-- Genesis, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), he was telling about his own life story.

• PRIESTLY TRIBE OF LEVI. A certain man in the house of Levi married a daughter of Levi as well. This is what God willed, and wanted, that's why He brought the Israelites in the land of Egypt-- so they won't associate and intermarry with (ungodly) Canaanites. Egyptians tend to view themselves highly and won't associate with the Hebrew shepherds, and God used that for the Israelites' advantage. Though they have to suffer and be subject to oppression for a long time-- at the end it will still be worth it, because the Messiah will come out of the Israelites (specifically the line of Judah.)

As a review, Levi was the 3rd son of Leah and Jacob, and his name meant "joined, attached" in Hebrew.. Bible Footnotes says "Ex 6:20 identifies Amram and Jochebed as the parents of Aaron and Moses."

 Moses line https://hebrew4christians.com/Scripture/Parashah/Summaries/Shemot/shemot.html

Unnamed yet, Moses was born beautiful and healthy, and was hidden by her mom for 3 months, so the Egyptians can't kill and throw him to the Nile river. It must have been scary for Jochebed (and Amram) to face the reality that their baby could be taken away from them any moment because of the Pharaoh's oppression to the Israelites:(

But this mom was determined to keep her baby alive! She made a waterproof basket (made of papyrus reeds and covered it with tar and pitch), and put baby Moses inside it..

https://slideplayer.com/slide/10187681/

As the basket was floating in the river, his older sister Miriam watched in the distance. Was she ordered by her mom to look after his brother, or was it something she did out of her own will? The Bible is not clear on that.

* Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik:  

"c. She hid him three months: The parents of Moses did not do this only because of the natural parental instinct; they did it also out of faith in God. Hebrews 11:23 describes the faith of Moses’ parents: By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command."

• BABY FOUND BY PRINCESS. This was God's plan! Thankfully, the baby was found by the daughter of Pharaoh who came down to bathe at the Nile. Unlike his father, Pharaoh, the daughter took pity on the Hebrew child.

* Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik:  

"b. The baby wept. So she had compassion on him: In God’s guidance, Pharaoh’s daughter found baby Moses. She was conditioned by her culture and upbringing to reject the Hebrews, but the cry of baby Moses melted her heart.
i. God had this beautifully planned for the deliverance of both Moses, and eventually for the people of Israel. He skillfully guided the parents of Moses, the currents of the Nile, and the heart of Pharaoh’s daughter to further His plan and purpose."

• MIRIAM ON THE MOVE. Miriam was so bold and brave here! Seeing the favorable opportunity that happened, she offered and asked if she shall call a "wet-nurse"from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for her.. The daughter of Pharaoh agreed, and Miriam called their mother, Jochebed. Moses was saved by God. Not only that, but the daughter of Pharaoh will even give her wages for taking care of her own son! Even if it means Moses has become the son of the daughter of Pharaoh, adopted into the royal family-- it's still better than dying in the Nile river.

She named him Moses, and said, “Because I drew him out of the water.”

*Bible Footnotes:

Exodus 2:5 If the pharaoh is Thutmose I, then this is likely his daughter, Hatshepsut.
Exodus 2:10 The name Moses is a wonderful choice. It means “drawing out” in Hebrew, but in Egyptian, a similar word means “man of royalty” (e.g. the syllable “mose” in names like Thutmose).

* Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik:  

"i. God rewarded the faith of Moses’ mother, both as she trusted Him in hiding Moses for three months, and also as she trusted God by setting Moses out on the river.
ii. “No doubt it was in these early years that Moses learnt of the ‘God of the fathers’ (Exodus 3:15) and realized that the Hebrews were his fellow countrymen (Exodus 2:11).” (Cole)

b. And he became her son: Being the adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter, Moses was in the royal family. The ancient Jewish historian Josephus wrote that Moses was heir to the throne of Egypt and that while a young man he led the armies of Egypt in victorious battle against the Ethiopians.
i. Certainly, he was raised with both the science and learning of Egypt. Acts 7:22 says, Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds. Egypt was one of the most academic and scientific societies among ancient cultures. It is reasonable to think that Moses was instructed in geography, history, grammar, writing, literature, philosophy, and music.
ii. Since he was of the royal family, we expect that as Moses went anywhere, he went in a princely chariot and his guards cried out “bow the knee!” If he floated on the Nile, it was in a magnificent ship with musical accompaniment; he lived the royal life. We also know that Moses’ Hebrew mother had an influence on his life, so he was certainly raised in the Hebrew heritage of his mother. "

• ONE FATEFUL DAY. Now an adult, a 40 year old man, Moses "went to his countrymen and looked [with compassion] at their hard labors; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his countrymen." (v.11) Now, this verse is interesting because Moses knew(?) and sees the oppressed Hebrew men as his brethren, countrymen! Did he know from the start that he was just adopted by the daughter of the Pharaoh? Like, it was a secret between his mom who adopted him, and the King/Pharaoh never found out about it.. Anyway, because of the (strong) compassion that Moses felt when he saw the Egyptian beating a Hebrew-- he kind of snapped and he killed the Egyptian right then and there, seeing no one was looking around. He hid him in the sand, hoping his secret will not be found out.. 

At this point, I have a lot of questions and thoughts on my mind! I think the act of killing that Moses unfortunately did was also because of all the years he have witnessed the cruelty, harshness, oppression and injustice of the Egyptians towards the Hebrew people.. For someone who was a royalty, living a comfortable life in the palace, I believe Moses will not feel like 'murderous' or tending to be violent in just one day. He carried it within his heart for many years. The act of impulsive revenge of Simeon and Levi back in 'Genesis 34 - The Rape of Dinah Incident' wherein in they killed Shechem and Shechemites came to remembrance, regarding this violence that Moses committed (a Levi descendant). "Compassion" means a sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others; it moves and compels someone to do an action to help or alleviate other people's sufferings. Moses wanted to help, but he must have felt helpless too, and so he resorted to killing one Egyptian, which is no help at all, if you think about it. Killing is never the answer, it is a grave sin, and it will produce ugly consequences in one's life.

* Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik:  

"i. Looked at their burdens: “The phrase means more than ‘to see’. It means, ‘to see with emotion’, either satisfaction (Genesis 9:16) or, as here, with distress (Genesis 21:16). Moses is one who shares God’s heart.” (Cole)
ii. Hebrews 11:24-26 tells us some of what happened in the heart and mind of Moses as he looked at their burdens. It says that by faith, Moses deliberately decided to identify with the people of Israel rather than his Egyptian prestige and opportunity:
By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. (Hebrews 11:24-26)
iii. Moses knew who he was. As much allure and ease there was in life as an Egyptian, he knew “That’s not me.” His faith in the God he served helped him to know who he was. 

b. He killed the Egyptian: The Bible itself explains some of Moses’ thinking behind this action. Acts 7:23-25 explains that Moses did this to defend and avenge the beaten Israelite, but also with the expectation that his fellow Israelites would recognize him as their deliverer.
i. Now when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel. And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended and avenged him who was oppressed, and struck down the Egyptian. For he supposed that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand, but they did not understand. (Acts 7:23-25)
ii. Just like Jesus, Moses could not deliver when he lived in the palaces of glory. He had to come down off the throne, away from the palace and into a humble place before he could deliver his people. 

i. A prince has the right to rule and expects your loyalty. A judge has the right to tell you what to do, and to punish you if you don’t do it. In rejecting Moses they said to him, “We don’t want you to rule over us or tell us what to do.” People reject Jesus on the same thinking, and just like Moses Jesus was rejected at His first coming.
ii. Both Moses and Jesus were:
    · Favored by God from birth
    · Miraculously preserved in childhood
    · Mighty in words and deed
    · Offered deliverance to Israel
    · Rejected with spite
    · Rejected in their right to be prince and a judge over Israel"

• MOSES ON THE RUN. Moses seems not to realize the gravity of what he did.. The next day, when he saw 2 Hebrew men fighting with each other, Moses tried to meddle and help them, but it was revealed that (one of) the man knew of the killing incident. Those Hebrews are full of anger, bitterness, and Moses cannot help them, at this point.. He cannot even help himself, now that he realized that what he did was now out in the open.

* Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik:  

"a. Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh: Moses, fleeing for his life, probably felt that God’s plan for his life was completely defeated. He probably believed that every chance he ever had to deliver his people was now over and there was nothing he could do. At this point, Moses was right where God wanted him.
i. Moses probably had little idea of it at the time, but he was too big for God to use. Moses tried to do the Lord’s work in man’s wisdom and power and it didn’t work. After 40 years of seemingly perfect preparation, God had another period of preparation for both Moses and the people of Israel, to make them ready to receive Moses."

• ROYAL NO MORE. A different Pharaoh (Bible Footnotes: Exodus 2:15 This pharaoh is likely to be identified as Thutmose III (1483-1450 b.c.); tried to kill Moses upon hearing the news. Moses was able to escape, and he ended up in the land of Midian.

https://treasureboxmy.blogspot.com/2013/12/exodus-moses-flees-to-midian.html

Just look at that long travel on foot! I wonder how Moses survived that! God was so good.

Who was Midian again? It was also Abraham's descendant, through his another wife (after Sarah's death), Keturah.
Bible Footnotes: Exodus 2:15 "After Sarah died Abraham took Keturah his concubine (see note Gen 22:24) as a secondary wife. Midian was the fourth of six sons born to Keturah. Abraham gave gifts to Isaac’s half brothers and sent them eastward so that they would have no claim on Isaac’s position as Abraham’s only heir and the son of promise."

Lineage from Abraham to Jesus https://www.biblestudy.org/maps/map-of-lineage-from-abraham-to-jesus.html

* Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik:  

"b. Dwelt in the land of Midian: If Moses went into the area of Canaan and Syria, he would have found no refuge – there was a treaty between Rameses II and the Hittite king to the effect that fugitives along the northern route to Syria would be arrested and extradited. So Moses went southeast instead, to Midian.
i. In that day Midian described the area on both the west and east sides of the Reed Sea, land that today is both Saudi Arabia (on the east of the Reed Sea) and Egypt (on the Sinai Peninsula, on the west of the Reed Sea)."

• MOSES BY THE WELL. I noticed that the 'well' has been a special place wherein God blesses and seems to give a new life to His people. The well was where Rebekah met Eliezer (Abraham's servant) to be eventually Isaac's wife, it is also where Jacob met and fell in love with Rachel, it is where the Samaritan woman who had 5 husbands (John 4) encountered Jesus, the Messiah. Moses have been wandering, and God gave him a new home (temporarily), a wife and a family.

Moses helped some shepherdesses, 7 daughters of the priest of Midian named Reuel or Jethro. Like Jacob to Rachel, Moses helped them in watering the flocks. The girls were surely thankful to Moses, but maybe they didn't know what to do with him, so they just left Moses and went back home. Moses may have been feeling shameful and lost, not knowing direction in his life.. Reuel (Jethro) was surprised that his daughters were back so soon, and the daughters stated that an Egyptian man saved and helped them. Moses still looked like an Egyptian to them, so maybe he was still wearing some clothing or accessories. Reuel (Jethro) seems pleased and he wanted to pay back Moses' kindness with a meal.

• MOSES GOT MARRIED. Having nowhere else to go, Moses decided to settle down and stay with Reuel's (Jethro) family. He was given the daughter Zipporah to be his wife. Good thing Reuel was not like Laban (Jacob's uncle)! Moses and Zipporah were both descendants of Abraham, so it is still marrying within the family. Maybe that's why God led Moses to the land of Midian, and not somewhere else (like Canaan land). Moses had a son named Gershom (stranger); for he said, “I have been a stranger in a foreign land.”

More about Jethro: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jethro
- "Jethro, also called Reuel, or Hobab, in the Old Testament, priest of Midian of the Kenite clan, with whom Moses took refuge after he killed an Egyptian and whose daughter Moses married (Exodus 3:1)."
- "Kenite, member of a tribe of itinerant metalsmiths related to the Midianites and the Israelites who plied their trade while traveling in the region of the Arabah (the desert rift valley extending from the Sea of Galilee to the Gulf of Aqaba) from at least the 13th century to the 9th century bc. The Kenites’ name was derived from Cain, whose descendants they were believed to be. The Kenites are mentioned several times in the Old Testament."

* Bible Footnotes: Exodus 2:18 "Reuel’s other name, Jethro (Excellency), may have been a title indicating his rank in the tribe."

* Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik:  

"b. He called his name Gershom: This name – meaning “stranger” – was evidence of some loneliness, living apart from either the Egyptians or the Hebrews.
i. We make a mistake when we think that the years in Midian were a “waiting” time for Moses. They were instead, working years; he had never worked this hard in his life! God trained him, shaping him for his future calling, but Moses was certainly not “on the shelf.”
ii. In Egypt Moses learned how to be somebody. In Midian he learned how to be nobody. “Much he had learned in Egypt, but more in Midian.” (Trapp) "

• GOD REMEMBERS. At this point, Moses is an 80 year old man. Like a clockwork, 40 years seems another completion from God-- the king of Egypt died, and a new Pharaoh will be seated, who will not know who Moses was or what he has done before.. 40 years, and the children of Israel were still suffering, crying out because of their bondage and slavery under the Egyptians. It was God's right time wherein His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel) will be carried on. It's not that God has forgotten, He knows everything.

* Bible Footnotes: Exodus 2:23 "The description of God in this passage (vv 23-25) attributes human qualities to God, including human emotions and ways of thinking or decision-making. It is meant to relate to a human point of view, without concern for a strict theological accounting of God’s nature. In reality, God is present everywhere, and is always aware of everything that has happened and will happen." 

* Study Guide Commentary from David Guzik:  

"b. God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob: God did not turn His attention to Israel because they were such good people, but because of the covenant He made with them. He gives His love and attention to us on the same basis – the covenant relationship we have with God through Jesus."



Read the Bible:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+2&version=AMP

Reference and credits to https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide2017-Exd/Exd-2.cfm ©2013 David Guzik