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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 6:6 stands as a pivotal divine declaration, where God, revealing Himself by His covenant name YHWH, emphatically reaffirms His sovereign commitment to deliver the Israelites from the brutal oppression and slavery of Egypt. This verse encapsulates a series of powerful "I will" statements, underscoring His absolute initiative, unwavering faithfulness, and irresistible power to redeem His people through decisive acts of judgment, thereby setting the stage for the miraculous and transformative events of the Exodus narrative.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 6:6 is a profound statement of divine resolve, packed with theological significance, serving as the bedrock of God's promise of deliverance to Israel.
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Exodus 6:6 is rich with significant literary devices that amplify its theological impact. The most prominent is Repetition, particularly the emphatic "I will" (Hebrew: ani plus the future verb), which appears four times in this single verse. This rhetorical device underscores God's absolute resolve, His sovereign initiative, and the certainty of His promises, leaving no doubt that the deliverance is entirely His work and not dependent on Israel's strength or merit. Another powerful device is Anthropomorphism, seen in the phrase "with a stretched out arm." This imagery attributes a human physical action (stretching out an arm) to God, vividly conveying His active, powerful, and irresistible intervention in human affairs. It makes an abstract divine attribute (omnipotence) tangible and comprehensible. Furthermore, the verse employs Foreshadowing, as the "great judgments" anticipate the devastating plagues and the ultimate defeat of Pharaoh, setting the stage for the dramatic unfolding of the Exodus narrative and God's demonstration of power over all creation and earthly rulers.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 6:6 is a foundational statement of God's character and His redemptive plan. It powerfully asserts His absolute sovereignty over human circumstances and historical events, emphasizing that salvation originates entirely with Him. His declaration "I am the LORD" (YHWH) explicitly links His actions to His covenant promises made to the patriarchs, demonstrating His unchanging faithfulness to His word despite human despair or unfaithfulness. The concept of "redeem" (Hebrew ga'al) establishes a foundational understanding of redemption as a powerful act of liberation from bondage, setting the stage for future redemptive acts throughout biblical history, culminating in Christ. The "stretched out arm" and "great judgments" reveal God's irresistible power to execute His will and His perfect justice in dealing with oppressors, ensuring that evil does not ultimately prevail and that His people are vindicated. This verse ultimately portrays a God who hears the cries of His suffering people and acts decisively on their behalf, demonstrating both compassion and omnipotence.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 6:6 offers profound comfort and enduring assurance for believers in every generation. It powerfully reminds us that God actively hears the cries of His people, even in the deepest oppression or despair, and that His promises remain unfailing, regardless of how bleak circumstances may appear. Just as He possessed the power to deliver Israel from the physical bondage of Egypt, He continues to possess the power to deliver us from any form of spiritual, emotional, or physical bondage we may face. This verse encourages us to place our trust firmly in God's sovereign power and His unwavering commitment to His people, knowing that He acts with both immense strength and perfect justice to bring about His ultimate triumph and our redemption. When we feel overwhelmed by the "burdens" of life, whether they be sin, anxiety, injustice, or despair, Exodus 6:6 calls us to remember that the same God who stretched out His arm for Israel is still active, still powerful, and still faithful to His covenant promises to His children today. Our hope is not in our ability to escape, but in His unfailing power to redeem.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of God's name 'the LORD' in this verse?
Answer: The name "the LORD" translates the Hebrew YHWH (Yahweh), God's personal, covenant name. In Exodus 6:6, its use is profoundly significant as it emphasizes God's self-existence, His unchanging nature, and His absolute faithfulness to the covenant promises He made to the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). It signifies that the God who is about to act powerfully to redeem Israel is the same God who established a relationship with their ancestors, guaranteeing the fulfillment of His word. It's a declaration of His active presence, His unique identity, and His unwavering commitment to His people, distinguishing Him from all other deities.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 6:6 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who embodies the perfect "stretched out arm" of God's redemptive power. Just as God delivered Israel from physical slavery in Egypt, Christ, through His sacrificial death on the cross and His glorious resurrection, redeems humanity from the far greater spiritual bondage of sin and death (Ephesians 1:7). He is the ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer, paying the ultimate price—His own life—to set us free from the curse of the law and the dominion of darkness (Colossians 1:13-14). The "great judgments" against Egypt prefigure Christ's decisive victory over the forces of evil, Satan, and death itself (Hebrews 2:14-15). Through Him, God establishes a new covenant, ushering in an eternal redemption that far surpasses the temporal deliverance from Pharaoh, offering not just physical freedom but spiritual adoption into God's family and the promise of everlasting life (John 3:16).