What significance does God's introduction have for Moses' mission in Exodus 3:6? Setting the Scene “Then He said, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ At this, Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.” (Exodus 3:6) God Introduces Himself • The Lord identifies Himself, not with a new name first, but with a well-known, covenant title. • He anchors Moses’ present moment to the patriarchs’ past—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob—men whose stories Moses already knew. • By declaring, “I am,” He proclaims that He is still the same living, active God (cf. Hebrews 13:8). Covenant Continuity and Faithfulness • God’s words link the Exodus mission to promises made centuries earlier (Genesis 12:1-3; 26:24; 28:13-15). • The covenant line had seemed dormant during Israel’s slavery, yet here God revives it, proving He never forgot. • Moses now understands his task is not an isolated assignment; it is the next chapter in a divine storyline. • Jesus later quotes this very verse to affirm that God “is not the God of the dead, but of the living” (Matthew 22:32), underscoring the ongoing nature of the covenant. Personal Authority and Commissioning • By naming Himself, God gives Moses the ultimate credential—divine authority. • No earthly king could override the One who created covenants and keeps them. • This settles Moses’ question, “Who am I?” (Exodus 3:11). His confidence will rest in who God is, not in his own résumé. • The introduction also signals that the same power that walked Abraham through Canaan will now walk Moses through Pharaoh’s court. Holiness and Fear of the Lord • Moses hides his face—a spontaneous response to holiness. The introduction cultivates reverent fear, the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). • Such fear doesn’t paralyze; it purifies motives, ensuring Moses serves God’s glory rather than personal ambition. • The combination of divine intimacy (“I am the God of…”) and fearful awe creates the balanced heart God can use. Assurance of God’s Living Presence • Each patriarch faced impossible situations—barrenness, famine, family conflict—and saw God break through. Their stories become Moses’ assurance that God excels at impossibilities. • The Lord effectively says, “As I was with them, so I will be with you” (cf. Joshua 1:5). • Because He is the God “of” the patriarchs, not merely the God “who once helped them,” Moses can expect ongoing intervention. Foreshadowing of Resurrection and Redemption • Jesus’ use of Exodus 3:6 to teach resurrection grounds the verse in a broader redemptive hope (Mark 12:26-27). • Deliverance from Egypt therefore hints at ultimate deliverance from sin and death, giving cosmic weight to Moses’ mission. • The living God will pull a living nation out of a living grave of bondage—pointing forward to an empty tomb. Summary Takeaways for Moses—and for Us • God’s introduction roots the mission in covenant history, guaranteeing success. • It transfers divine authority to Moses, overcoming personal inadequacy. • It instills reverence that refines the servant’s heart. • It promises active, ongoing presence, not distant remembrance. • It frames the Exodus as part of God’s larger plan of resurrection and redemption. Moses’ burning-bush encounter begins with God’s name, because everything else—deliverance, law-giving, wilderness guidance—flows from knowing who God is and trusting what He has pledged to do. |
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