Exodus 6: God Reassures Moses and Reveals His Name

Exodus 6: God Reassures Moses and Reveals His Name

Chapter With Audio

God Promises Deliverance

6 But the Lord said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh; for with a strong hand he will send them out, and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land.”

2 God spoke to Moses and said to him, “I am the Lord. 3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by my name the Lord I did not make myself known to them. 4 I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they lived as sojourners. 5 Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the people of Israel whom the Egyptians hold as slaves, and I have remembered my covenant. 6 Say therefore to the people of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. 7 I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 8 I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. I will give it to you for a possession. I am the Lord.’” 9 Moses spoke thus to the people of Israel, but they did not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery.

10 So the Lord said to Moses, 11 “Go in, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the people of Israel go out of his land.” 12 But Moses said to the Lord, “Behold, the people of Israel have not listened to me. How then shall Pharaoh listen to me, for I am of uncircumcised lips?” 13 But the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron and gave them a charge about the people of Israel and about Pharaoh king of Egypt: to bring the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt.

The Genealogy of Moses and Aaron

14 These are the heads of their fathers' houses: the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi; these are the clans of Reuben. 15 The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul, the son of a Canaanite woman; these are the clans of Simeon. 16 These are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, the years of the life of Levi being 137 years. 17 The sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei, by their clans. 18 The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, the years of the life of Kohath being 133 years. 19 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites according to their generations. 20 Amram took as his wife Jochebed his father's sister, and she bore him Aaron and Moses, the years of the life of Amram being 137 years. 21 The sons of Izhar: Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri. 22 The sons of Uzziel: Mishael, Elzaphan, and Sithri. 23 Aaron took as his wife Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab and the sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 24 The sons of Korah: Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph; these are the clans of the Korahites. 25 Eleazar, Aaron's son, took as his wife one of the daughters of Putiel, and she bore him Phinehas. These are the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites by their clans.

26 These are the Aaron and Moses to whom the Lord said: “Bring out the people of Israel from the land of Egypt by their hosts.” 27 It was they who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt about bringing out the people of Israel from Egypt, this Moses and this Aaron.

28 On the day when the Lord spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt, 29 the Lord said to Moses, “I am the Lord; tell Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say to you.” 30 But Moses said to the Lord, “Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips. How will Pharaoh listen to me?”

Chapter Analysis

Exodus 6: God Reassured Moses and Reaffirmed His Covenant

Overview

Exodus 6 follows Moses' discouragement after Pharaoh increased Israel's suffering. In response, God reassured Moses that He would deliver His people with mighty acts of judgment. The Lord reminded Moses of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and revealed that He would now fulfill His promises by bringing Israel out of Egypt.

Although the Israelites were too discouraged by their oppression to listen, God commanded Moses to continue speaking to Pharaoh. Moses again expressed his inadequacy, but God's plan did not depend on Moses' confidence. The chapter concludes with the genealogy of Moses and Aaron, establishing their priestly lineage and confirming that they were God's chosen leaders for Israel's deliverance.

I. Verses 1–8: God Reaffirmed His Covenant Promises

The Lord answered Moses by declaring:

"Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh."

God promised that Pharaoh would eventually let Israel go because of His mighty hand.

The Lord reminded Moses that He had appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as God Almighty and had established His covenant with them.

God declared that He had heard Israel's groaning and remembered His covenant.

He then gave Israel seven remarkable promises:

  • I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
  • I will rescue you from their bondage.
  • I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and great judgments.
  • I will take you as My people.
  • I will be your God.
  • I will bring you into the land I promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
  • I will give it to you as an inheritance.

These promises emphasized that Israel's deliverance depended entirely upon God's faithfulness.

II. Verse 9: Israel Could Not Receive God's Encouragement

Moses faithfully delivered God's promises to the Israelites.

However, they did not listen.

Their harsh slavery and deep discouragement prevented them from receiving God's message of hope.

Years of suffering had left them emotionally exhausted.

Even faithful believers can struggle to hear God's promises when overwhelmed by trials.

III. Verses 10–13: God Renewed Moses' Commission

God instructed Moses to return to Pharaoh and command him to let Israel leave Egypt.

Moses objected again.

If the Israelites would not listen to him, how could Pharaoh possibly listen?

Moses described himself as "uncircumcised lips," expressing his sense of inadequacy as a speaker.

Nevertheless, God commanded both Moses and Aaron to continue with the mission He had given them.

God's calling did not change because of Moses' doubts.

IV. Verses 14–27: The Genealogy of Moses and Aaron

The narrative pauses to record the family line of Moses and Aaron.

The genealogy traces Israel's leadership through the tribe of Levi.

It records:

  • Reuben's family.
  • Simeon's family.
  • Levi's family.

Special attention is given to Amram and Jochebed, the parents of Moses and Aaron.

Aaron's descendants are also listed, establishing the priestly family through whom the high priests would come.

This genealogy confirms that God had chosen Moses and Aaron according to His sovereign plan.

V. Verses 28–30: God Repeated His Command

God again instructed Moses to speak all His words to Pharaoh.

Moses repeated his concern that Pharaoh would not listen because he was "of uncircumcised lips."

Despite Moses' continued hesitation, God would continue preparing him for the confrontation that follows in the next chapter.

The focus remained on God's power rather than Moses' ability.

Major Lessons in Exodus 6

God Always Keeps His Covenant

God based His promises on the covenant He made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. His faithfulness never fails.

God's Deliverance Depends on His Power

Israel's rescue would not come through human strength but through God's mighty hand and His acts of judgment.

Discouragement Can Make It Difficult to Hear God's Word

The Israelites were so burdened by suffering that they could not receive God's encouragement, reminding us how trials can affect our spiritual perspective.

God Uses Imperfect Servants

Moses continued to struggle with fear and self-doubt, yet God continued to use him because His purposes depend on His power, not human ability.

God Works According to His Perfect Timing

Although Israel longed for immediate deliverance, God was unfolding His plan exactly as He had promised.

Overall Summary

Exodus 6 records God's reassurance to Moses after Israel's circumstances worsened. The Lord reaffirmed His covenant, declared His seven promises of deliverance, and reminded Moses that He would redeem Israel by His mighty power. Although the people were too discouraged to listen and Moses continued to doubt himself, God renewed His commission and confirmed His chosen leaders through the genealogy of Moses and Aaron. The chapter prepares the reader for God's mighty confrontation with Pharaoh and the beginning of the plagues that would lead to Israel's redemption.