Topical Bible: Israel: Moses Commissioned As the Deliverer

◄ Israel: Moses Commissioned As the Deliverer ►

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Background and Context

The commissioning of Moses as the deliverer of Israel is a pivotal event in the biblical narrative, marking the beginning of the Exodus, where God intervenes to liberate the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. This event is primarily recorded in the Book of Exodus, chapters 3 and 4, and is foundational to understanding God's covenantal relationship with Israel and His faithfulness to His promises.

The Oppression of Israel

The Israelites, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, had settled in Egypt during a time of famine, as recounted in Genesis. Over time, they grew numerous, which led to their enslavement by a new Pharaoh who did not know Joseph (Exodus 1:8-14). The Egyptians subjected the Israelites to harsh labor, and Pharaoh even decreed the death of all newborn Hebrew boys (Exodus 1:15-22).

Moses' Early Life

Moses was born during this period of oppression. His mother, Jochebed, hid him for three months and then placed him in a basket on the Nile River, where he was discovered and adopted by Pharaoh's daughter (Exodus 2:1-10). Raised in the Egyptian court, Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians (Acts 7:22). However, he retained his identity as a Hebrew, which became evident when he killed an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave (Exodus 2:11-12). Fleeing from Pharaoh's wrath, Moses settled in Midian, where he married Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro, and became a shepherd (Exodus 2:15-22).

The Divine Encounter at the Burning Bush

While tending his father-in-law's flock near Mount Horeb, Moses encountered the Angel of the LORD in a burning bush that was not consumed by the fire (Exodus 3:1-2). God called to Moses from the bush, instructing him to remove his sandals, for he was standing on holy ground (Exodus 3:5). God revealed Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and expressed His awareness of the Israelites' suffering (Exodus 3:6-7).

God's Commission to Moses

God commissioned Moses to return to Egypt and lead the Israelites out of bondage. He promised to deliver them to a land flowing with milk and honey, the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites (Exodus 3:8). Moses expressed doubt about his ability to fulfill this task, questioning, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" (Exodus 3:11). God assured Moses of His presence, saying, "I will surely be with you" (Exodus 3:12).

The Revelation of God's Name

Moses asked God what he should say if the Israelites questioned who sent him. God replied, "I AM WHO I AM," instructing Moses to tell the Israelites, "I AM has sent me to you" (Exodus 3:14). This name, Yahweh, signifies God's eternal, self-existent nature and His faithfulness to His covenant promises.

Signs and Wonders

To bolster Moses' confidence and authenticate his mission, God provided him with signs: turning his staff into a serpent, making his hand leprous and then restoring it, and turning water from the Nile into blood (Exodus 4:1-9). Despite these signs, Moses hesitated, citing his lack of eloquence. God reassured him, saying, "Who gave man his mouth? ... Is it not I, the LORD?" (Exodus 4:11). God appointed Aaron, Moses' brother, to be his spokesman (Exodus 4:14-16).

Moses' Return to Egypt

With God's assurance and the support of Aaron, Moses returned to Egypt. He informed Jethro of his mission and took his family with him (Exodus 4:18-20). God reiterated His promise to harden Pharaoh's heart, ensuring that His power would be displayed through the plagues and the eventual deliverance of Israel (Exodus 4:21-23).

Significance

Moses' commissioning as the deliverer of Israel is a testament to God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and power. It underscores the theme of redemption and sets the stage for the Exodus, a defining moment in Israel's history that foreshadows the ultimate deliverance through Jesus Christ.

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Exodus 3:2-22
And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the middle of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
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Exodus 4:1-17
And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor listen to my voice: for they will say, The LORD has not appeared to you.
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Library

Appendix viii. Rabbinic Traditions About Elijah, the Forerunner of ...
... has it, that, when Moses was commissioned by God ... him to Jethro as the future deliverer
of Israel, and determined him to give to Moses Zipporah for ...
/.../appendix viii rabbinic traditions about.htm

The Faith of Moses.
... He was commissioned to familiarise men with the wondrous, stupendous idea of the
appearing of God in human nature ... Christ was with Israel, and Moses knew it. ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xii the faith of.htm

The First Kings.
... When the bondage in Egypt was broken, Moses was the ... There were no more such monarchs
in Israel, after David ... A prophet was commissioned to tell the wise, yet ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

The Baptist's Testimony.
... For the law was given by Moses; grace and truth came ... He formed in the wilderness
a new Israel, a little ... these are listened to as the commissioned messengers of ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/iii the baptists testimony.htm

Rom. xi. 7
... aloud against them, Isaiah, Elijah, David, Moses, Hosea, not ... to do so as being your
commissioned minister; the ... in part hath happened unto Israel." Here again ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xix rom xi 7.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... Moses himself had more than once predicted the captivity of ... I cast out of my sight;
and Israel shall be a ... ten tribes, and he had been commissioned to announce ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

The Ministry in Galilee --Its Aim and Method
... to multiply his own work, and commissioned his disciples ... The restriction of their
field to Israel (Matthew 10:5, 6 ... should feed his people as Moses had provided ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/iii the ministry in galileeits.htm

Number one Thousand; Or, "Bread Enough and to Spare"
... and teachers; all these have been commissioned by the ... Moses and the prophets all
spoke of him, and so ... Have I been a wilderness unto Israel?" Testify against ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/number one thousand or bread.htm

The Prophet Amos.
... who is clothed with linen is commissioned solely for ... boundaries of Judah from those
of Israel, and, if ... can be lost from God the Deliverer."Another question ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet amos.htm

The Christian's Peace and the Christian's Consistency
... 12). From his own days to these he has been known in the Church of God
as the divinely commissioned prophet and teacher. Clement ...
/.../moule/philippian studies/chapter iv the christians peace.htm