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Commentary on Exodus 6 verses 1–9
Here, I. God silences Moses's complaints with the assurance of success in this negotiation, repeating the promise made him in Exo 3:20, After that, he will let you go. When Moses was at his wit's end, wishing he had staid in Midian, rather than have come to Egypt to make bad worse - when he was quite at a loss what to do - Then the Lord said unto Moses, for the quieting of his mind, "Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh (Exo 6:1); now that the affair has come to a crisis, things are as bad as they can be, Pharaoh is in the height of pride and Israel in the depth of misery, now is my time to appear." See Psa 12:5, Now will I arise. Note, Man's extremity is God's opportunity of helping and saving. Moses had been expecting what God would do; but now he shall see what he will do, shall see his day at length, Job 24:1. Moses had been trying what he could do, and could effect nothing. "Well," says God, "now thou shalt see what I will do; let me alone to deal with this proud man," Job 40:12, Job 40:13. Note, Then the deliverance of God's church will be accomplished, when God takes the work into his own hands. With a strong hand, that is, being forced to it by a strong hand, he shall let them go. Note, As some are brought to their duty by the strong hand of God's grace, who are made willing in the day of his power, so others by the strong hand of his justice, breaking those that would not bend.
II. He gives him further instructions, that both he and the people of Israel might be encouraged to hope for a glorious issue of this affair. Take comfort,
1.From God's name, Jehovah, Exo 6:2, Exo 6:3. He begins with this, I am Jehovah, the same with, I am that I am, the fountain of being, and blessedness, and infinite perfection. The patriarchs knew this name, but they did not know him in this matter by that which this name signifies. God would now be known by his name Jehovah, that is, (1.) A God performing what he had promised, and so inspiring confidence in his promises. (2.) A God perfecting what he had begun, and finishing his own work. In the history of the creation, God is never called Jehovah till the heavens and the earth were finished, Gen 2:4. When the salvation of the saints is completed in eternal life, then he will be known by his name Jehovah (Rev 22:13); in the mean time they shall find him, for their strength and support, El-shaddai, a God all-sufficient, a God that is enough and will be so, Mic 7:20.
2.From his covenant: I have established my covenant, Exo 6:4. Note, The covenants God makes he establishes; they are made as firm as the power and truth of God can make them. We may venture our all upon this bottom.
3.From his compassions (Exo 6:5): I have heard the groaning of the children of Israel; he means their groaning on occasion of the late hardships put upon them. Note, God take notice of the increase of his people's calamities, and observes how their enemies grow upon them.
4.From his present resolutions, Exo 6:6-8. Here is line upon line, to assure them that they should be brought triumphantly out of Egypt (Exo 6:6), and should be put in possession of the land of Canaan (Exo 6:8): I will bring you out. I will rid you. I will redeem you. I will bring you into the land of Canaan, and I will give it to you. Let man take the shame of his unbelief, which needs such repetitions; and let God have the glory of his condescending grace, which gives us such repeated assurances for our satisfaction.
5.From his gracious intentions in all these, which were great, and worthy of him, Exo 6:7. (1.) He intended their happiness: I will take you to me for a people, a peculiar people, and I will be to you a God; more than this we need not ask, we cannot have, to make us happy. (2.) He intended his own glory: You shall know that I am the Lord. God will attain his own ends, nor shall we come short of them if we make them our chief end too. Now, one would think, these good words, and comfortable words, should have revived the drooping Israelites, and cause them to forget their misery; but, on the contrary, their miseries made them regardless of God's promises (Exo 6:9): They harkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit. That is, [1.] They were so taken up with their troubles that they did not heed him. [2.] They were so cast down with their late disappointment that they did not believe him. [3.] They had such a dread of Pharaoh's power and wrath that they durst not themselves move in the least towards their deliverance. Note, First, Disconsolate spirits often put from them the comforts they are entitled to, and stand in their own light. See Isa 28:12. Secondly, Strong passions oppose strong consolations. By indulging ourselves in discontent and fretfulness, we deprive ourselves of the comfort we might have both from God's word and from his providence, and must thank ourselves if we go comfortless.
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SUMMARY
Exodus 6:1 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Israel's deliverance, serving as a powerful divine declaration to Moses following his disheartening initial encounter with Pharaoh and the subsequent increase in Israelite oppression. Amidst Moses' own despair and questioning of God's plan, this verse stands as a profound reassurance and reassertion of the LORD's absolute sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to fulfill His promises, signaling an imminent and decisive display of divine power against Pharaoh.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse immediately follows Moses' lament to the LORD in Exodus 5:22-23, where he expresses frustration over the intensified suffering of the Israelites and questions why God sent him. Pharaoh's response to Moses' initial request was not only a refusal to release Israel but also a decree to increase their forced labor, leading the Israelite foremen to rebuke Moses in Exodus 5:19-21. Exodus 6:1 thus functions as God's direct, authoritative answer to Moses' doubt and the people's despair, shifting the narrative focus from human failure and oppression to divine initiative and omnipotence. It sets the stage for the subsequent revelation of God's name, YHWH, and the detailed recounting of His covenant promises in Exodus 6:2-8.
Historical & Cultural Context: The setting is ancient Egypt, a powerful empire ruled by a pharaoh considered a god-king, whose word was law and whose power was seemingly absolute. The Israelites were enslaved, subjected to harsh labor, and viewed as an expendable, foreign workforce. In this context, for a mere shepherd like Moses to confront Pharaoh and demand the release of a vast slave population was an act of immense audacity, seemingly destined for failure without divine intervention. The concept of a "strong hand" would have been understood by both Egyptians and Israelites as a symbol of overwhelming power and authority, typically associated with kings or deities. God's declaration here directly challenges Pharaoh's perceived omnipotence and asserts the supremacy of the LORD over all earthly powers.
Key Themes: Exodus 6:1 powerfully introduces or reinforces several key themes central to the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights Divine Sovereignty, demonstrating that God's plans cannot be thwarted by human resistance, even from the most powerful earthly ruler. Pharaoh's hardened heart, rather than hindering God's purpose, becomes the very instrument through which God's power is magnified, as seen throughout the plague narratives. Secondly, it underscores Covenant Faithfulness, as God reaffirms His commitment to the ancient promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob regarding their descendants and the land, despite the current state of oppression (see Genesis 15:13-14). Thirdly, the verse emphasizes Deliverance by Divine Power, making it clear that Israel's freedom will not be achieved through negotiation or human strength, but solely through God's irresistible "strong hand," thereby ensuring that all glory redounds to Him, as later proclaimed in Deuteronomy 6:21.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Exodus 6:1 employs several powerful literary devices. Repetition is central, with the phrase "with a strong hand" appearing twice. This repetition serves to emphasize the certainty, intensity, and source of the power that will compel Pharaoh. It underscores that Pharaoh's actions will be entirely a result of divine coercion, not his own volition. Anthropomorphism is evident in the phrase "strong hand," which attributes a human bodily part (hand) to God to symbolize His active, powerful intervention and sovereign control. This vivid imagery makes God's power relatable and emphasizes His direct involvement in the historical events. Furthermore, the verse uses Foreshadowing, hinting at the severity of the coming plagues and the ultimate, undeniable nature of Israel's exodus. The phrase "drive them out" anticipates the urgency and desperation of the Egyptians after the final plague, where they literally force Israel to leave.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 6:1 is a foundational declaration of God's absolute sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. It asserts that no human power, however mighty, can thwart the divine will. This verse establishes that the deliverance of Israel will be a display of God's unique power, designed not only to free His people but also to reveal His glory and identity to both Israel and Egypt. It underscores that God's faithfulness is not dependent on human circumstances or even human faith, but on His own character and word. The "strong hand" becomes a recurring motif throughout the Exodus narrative, signifying God's irresistible power in judgment and salvation.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 6:1 offers profound spiritual nourishment for believers facing trials and uncertainties. When our circumstances seem to contradict God's promises, and our faith falters, this verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's unyielding sovereignty. It teaches us that God's plan is never derailed by human resistance or apparent setbacks; instead, He often allows difficulties to intensify so that His subsequent intervention is undeniably His work, magnifying His glory. In moments of discouragement, like Moses', we are called to look beyond our immediate struggles and trust in the "strong hand" of God, knowing that He is actively working to fulfill His purposes, even through the most formidable opposition. Our role is not to achieve deliverance by our own strength or cleverness, but to faithfully obey and wait upon the Lord, confident that His power will ultimately prevail, transforming seemingly impossible situations into clear demonstrations of His faithfulness and might.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did God allow Moses and Israel to suffer increased oppression before intervening?
Answer: God often allows circumstances to worsen before His decisive intervention, not out of indifference, but to magnify His power and glory. In this case, the increased oppression served multiple purposes: it demonstrated that Israel's deliverance was solely by God's "strong hand," not by Moses' negotiation or Pharaoh's change of heart. It deepened Israel's desperation, making God's subsequent salvation all the more evident and memorable, thereby solidifying their faith and revealing His unique identity as YHWH to both Israel and Egypt. This pattern of allowing hardship to precede a greater display of divine power is seen throughout biblical history.
Does "with a strong hand" imply God negates human free will?
Answer: The phrase "with a strong hand" emphasizes God's irresistible power and sovereign control over all things, including the actions of human rulers. While it indicates that Pharaoh's will was ultimately broken and compelled by divine force, it does not necessarily negate his initial choices or moral responsibility for his hardness of heart. Instead, it highlights that even human defiance and hardened hearts can be used by God to accomplish His greater purposes, ultimately revealing His might and vindicating His name, as seen in Pharaoh's eventual, forced compliance. God's sovereignty works in conjunction with, and often through, human choices, even when those choices are rebellious, as Romans 9:17 illustrates.
How does this verse relate to God's patience?
Answer: While Exodus 6:1 emphasizes God's imminent, powerful action, it follows a period where God seemingly allowed Moses and Israel to experience hardship and Pharaoh's obstinacy. This demonstrates that God's patience is not an absence of power or purpose, but a strategic allowance for human choices to unfold, often to set the stage for a more profound display of His sovereignty and to ensure that His glory is fully revealed in the deliverance He brings. His patience often precedes a powerful demonstration of His justice and faithfulness, as God waited for the "iniquity of the Amorites" to be complete before acting, as mentioned in Genesis 15:16.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 6:1, with its declaration of God's deliverance by a "strong hand," profoundly foreshadows the ultimate salvation accomplished through Jesus Christ. Just as God's irresistible power compelled Pharaoh to release Israel from physical bondage, so too does Christ, through His death and resurrection, exercise divine power to deliver humanity from the far greater spiritual bondage of sin, death, and the dominion of Satan. The "strong hand" of God is fully revealed in Christ's triumph over all opposing spiritual forces, ensuring that those whom He sets free are truly free (see John 8:36). Pharaoh's forced submission points to Christ's ultimate victory over every enemy and His final establishment of His kingdom, where all knees will bow and every tongue confess His Lordship, not by coercion but by the power of His redeeming love and sovereign authority (as proclaimed in Philippians 2:9-11). The promise of rest and inheritance for Israel finds its spiritual fulfillment in the eternal rest and inheritance believers receive in Christ, who delivers us from the domain of darkness and transfers us to the kingdom of His beloved Son (as described in Colossians 1:13-14).