God's Blessing

What does Exodus 6:2-9:35 really mean?

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 So Moses spoke thus to the people of Israel, but they did not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery.
10 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 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.
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; and the years of the life of Kohath were 133 years.
19 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of Levi 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 according to 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 They were the ones 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 he said to him, “I am the Lord.
30 But Moses said to the Lord, “Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips. How will Pharaoh listen to me?”
1 And the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet.
2 You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of his land.
3 But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt,
4 Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment.
5 The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them.
6 Moses and Aaron did so; they did just as the Lord commanded them.
7 Now Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh.
8 Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “When Pharaoh says to you, ‘Prove yourselves by working a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.’”
9 “When Pharaoh says to you, ‘Prove yourselves by working a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.’”
10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the Lord commanded. Aaron cast down his staff before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent.
11 Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts.
12 For each man cast down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs.
13 Still Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.
14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh’s heart is hardened; he refuses to let the people go.
15 Go to Pharaoh in the morning, as he is going out to the water. Stand on the bank of the Nile to meet him, and take in your hand the staff that turned into a serpent.
16 And you shall say to him, ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, sent me to you, saying, “Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness.” But so far, you have not obeyed.
17 Thus says the Lord, “By this you shall know that I am the Lord: behold, with the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water that is in the Nile, and it shall turn into blood.
18 The fish in the Nile shall die, and the Nile will stink, and the Egyptians will grow weary of drinking water from the Nile.”
19 And the Lord said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt, over their rivers, their canals, and their ponds, and all their pools of water, so that they may become blood, and there shall be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, even in vessels of wood and in vessels of stone.’”
20 Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded. In the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants he lifted up the staff and struck the water in the Nile, and all the water in the Nile turned into blood.
21 And the fish in the Nile died, and the Nile stank, so that the Egyptians could not drink water from the Nile. There was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.
22 But the magicians of Egypt did the same by their secret arts. So Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.
23 But Pharaoh turned and went into his house, and he did not take even this to heart.
24 So all the Egyptians dug along the Nile for water to drink, for they could not drink the water of the Nile.
25 Seven full days passed after the Lord had struck the Nile.
1 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Let my people go, that they may serve me.
2 But if you refuse to let them go, behold, I will plague all your country with frogs.
3 The Nile shall swarm with frogs that shall come up into your house and into your bedroom and on your bed and into the houses of your servants and your people, and into your ovens and your kneading bowls.
4 And the frogs shall go away from you and your houses and your servants and your people. They shall be left only in the Nile.”
5 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your hand with your staff over the rivers, over the canals and over the pools, and make frogs come up on the land of Egypt!’”
6 So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt.
7 But the magicians did the same by their secret arts and made frogs come up on the land of Egypt.
8 Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and said, “Plead with the Lord to take away the frogs from me and from my people, and I will let the people go to sacrifice to the Lord.”
9 But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart and would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.
10 So he said, “Tomorrow.” Then he said, “Be it as you say, so that you may know that there is no one like the Lord our God.
11 Then the frogs shall go away from you and your houses and your servants and your people. They shall be left only in the Nile.”
12 Then Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh, and Moses cried to the Lord about the frogs, as he had agreed with Pharaoh.
13 And the Lord did according to the word of Moses. The frogs died out in the houses, the courtyards, and the fields.
14 And they gathered them together in heaps, and the land stank.
15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart and would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.
16 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, so that it may become gnats in all the land of Egypt.’”
17 They did so. Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the earth, and there were gnats on man and beast. All the dust of the earth became gnats in all the land of Egypt.
18 The magicians tried by their secret arts to produce gnats, but they could not. So there were gnats on man and beast.
19 Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.
20 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Rise up early in the morning and present yourself to Pharaoh, as he goes out to the water, and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Let my people go, that they may serve me.
21 Or else, if you will not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and your servants and your people, and into your houses. And the houses of the Egyptians shall be filled with swarms of flies, and also the ground on which they stand.
22 But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where my people dwell, so that no swarms of flies shall be there, that you may know that I am the Lord in the midst of the earth.
23 And I will put a division between my people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall happen.”
24 And the Lord did so. There came great swarms of flies into the house of Pharaoh and into his servants’ houses. Throughout all the land of Egypt the land was ruined by the swarms of flies.
25 Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and said, “Go, sacrifice to your God within the land.”
26 But Moses said, “It would not be right to do so, for the offerings we shall sacrifice to the Lord our God are an abomination to the Egyptians. If we sacrifice offerings abominable to the Egyptians before their eyes, will they not stone us?
27 We must go three days’ journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the Lord our God as he tells us.”
28 So Pharaoh said, “I will let you go to sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilderness; only you must not go very far away. Plead for me.”
29 Then Moses said, “Behold, I am going out from you and I will plead with the Lord that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, tomorrow. Only let not Pharaoh cheat again by not letting the people go to sacrifice to the Lord.”
30 But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and did not let the people go.
31 And the Lord did as Moses asked, and removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; not one remained.
32 But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and did not let the people go.
1 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, “Let my people go, that they may serve me.
2 For if you refuse to let them go and still hold them,
3 behold, the hand of the Lord will fall with a very severe plague upon your livestock that are in the field, the horses, the donkeys, the camels, the herds, and the flocks.
4 But the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that nothing of all that belongs to the people of Israel shall die.”
5 The Lord appointed a set time, saying, “Tomorrow the Lord will do this thing in the land.”
6 And the next day the Lord did this thing. All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one of the livestock of the people of Israel died.
7 Then Pharaoh sent, and behold, not one of the livestock of Israel was dead. But the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.
8 Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Take handfuls of soot from the kiln, and let Moses throw them in the air in the sight of Pharaoh.
9 It shall become fine dust over all the land of Egypt, and become boils breaking out in sores on man and beast throughout all the land of Egypt.”
10 So they took soot from the kiln and stood before Pharaoh. And Moses threw it in the air, and it became boils breaking out in sores on man and beast.
11 The magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils, for the boils came upon the magicians and upon all the Egyptians.
12 But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as the Lord had spoken to Moses.
13 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Rise up early in the morning and present yourself before Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, “Let my people go, that they may serve me.”
14 For this time I will send all my plagues on you yourself, and on your servants and your people, so that you may know that there is none like me in all the earth.
15 For by now I could have put out my hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, and you would have been cut off from the earth.
16 But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.
17 You are still exalting yourself against my people and will not let them go.
18 Behold, about this time tomorrow I will cause very heavy hail to fall, such as never has been in Egypt from the day it was founded until now.
19 Now therefore send, get your livestock and all that you have in the field into safe shelter, for every man and beast that is in the field and is not brought home will die when the hail falls on them.”
20 Then whoever feared the word of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh hurried his slaves and his livestock into the houses,
21 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, so that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, on man and beast and every plant of the field, in the land of Egypt.”
22 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, so that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, on man and beast and every plant of the field, in the land of Egypt.”
23 Then Moses stretched out his staff toward heaven, and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and fire ran down to the earth. And the Lord rained hail upon the land of Egypt.
24 So there was hail, and fire flashing continually in the midst of the hail, very heavy hail, such as had never been in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.
25 And the hail struck down everything that was in the field in all the land of Egypt, both man and beast. And the hail struck down every plant of the field and broke every tree of the field.
26 Only in the land of Goshen, where the people of Israel were, was there no hail.
27 Then Pharaoh sent and called Moses and Aaron and said to them, “This time I have sinned; the Lord is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong.
28 Plead with the Lord, for there has been enough of God’s thunder and hail. I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer.”
29 Moses said to him, “As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will stretch out my hands to the Lord. The thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, so that you may know that the earth is the Lord’s.
30 But as for you and your servants, I know that you do not yet fear the Lord God.”
31 Now the flax and the barley were struck down, for the barley was in the ear and the flax was in bud.
32 The wheat and the emmer were not struck down, for they are late in coming up.
33 So Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh and stretched out his hands to the Lord, and the thunder and the hail ceased, and the rain no longer poured upon the earth.
34 But when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunder had ceased, he sinned yet again and hardened his heart, he and his servants.
35 So the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people of Israel go, just as the Lord had spoken through Moses.

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Setting the Scene for Exodus 6:2-9:35

The scene in Exodus 6-9 takes place in ancient Egypt during the time of Moses and Aaron. The Pharaoh of Egypt had enslaved the Israelites, and Moses, who had fled Egypt after killing an Egyptian taskmaster, was called by God to lead the Israelites out of bondage. In this particular passage, Moses and Aaron are standing before Pharaoh, demanding the release of the Israelites so they can worship their God in the wilderness.

The room is grand and opulent, with intricate hieroglyphics adorning the walls and golden statues of Egyptian gods placed strategically around the room. Pharaoh, adorned in rich robes and a headdress, sits on a throne, surrounded by his advisors and courtiers. Moses and Aaron, in simple Hebrew garments, stand before him, their faces determined and their staffs in hand as a sign of their authority from God.

As Moses and Aaron speak to Pharaoh, the tension in the room is palpable. The air is thick with the smell of incense burning in golden censers, and the flickering torches cast eerie shadows on the walls. The power struggle between the God of the Israelites and the gods of Egypt is about to unfold, with a series of plagues that will ultimately lead to the release of the Israelites from their bondage.

What is Exodus 6:2-9:35 about?

This verse speaks to the powerful promise of deliverance that God extends to His people, as seen through the story of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt. It showcases God’s sovereignty and might as He works through a series of plagues to show His power and ultimately lead His chosen people out of captivity. This verse highlights the faithfulness of God to His promises and His willingness to intervene on behalf of His people in times of struggle and oppression. We can marvel at the ways in which God fulfills His promises and demonstrates His power in our own lives as we reflect on this verse. We can take comfort in the fact that just as God delivered the Israelites from bondage in Egypt, He continues to deliver us from our own trials and tribulations. This verse serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and the assurance that His deliverance is always within reach for those who trust in Him.

Understanding what Exodus 6:2-9:35 really means

Introduction and Context

Exodus 6:2-9:35 captures a pivotal moment in the history of the Israelites. This section of Scripture details God’s reaffirmation of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and His promise to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. We will explore these chapters as we delve into the themes of God’s faithfulness, the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart, and the significance of the plagues.

God’s Assurance and Covenant

One of the most striking elements in this passage is God’s reaffirmation of His identity and His covenant. He says, “I am the Lord,” emphasizing His eternal nature and authority. This echoes God’s introduction to Moses in Exodus 3:14, where He identifies Himself as “I AM WHO I AM. God is reminding Moses and the Israelites of His unwavering commitment to them by repeating His name. This is relevant today because it reassures us that God’s promises are steadfast, even when we face overwhelming challenges.

Pharaoh’s Hardened Heart

The repeated hardening of Pharaoh’s heart is a central theme in these chapters. Initially, Pharaoh hardens his own heart, but as the narrative progresses, it is God who hardens it. This raises important questions about free will and divine sovereignty. Romans 9:17-18 provides further insight, indicating that God’s actions served to display His power and proclaim His name throughout the earth. For us today, this can be a reminder that even in situations that seem unjust or inexplicable, God’s purposes are ultimately for His glory and our good.

The Plagues as Signs and Wonders

The plagues serve multiple purposes: they are judgments against the gods of Egypt, demonstrations of God’s power, and means to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites. Each plague targets specific Egyptian deities, showing that Yahweh is the supreme God. For instance, the plague of darkness challenges Ra, the sun god. This teaches us that God is sovereign over all creation and that no earthly power can stand against Him. It also calls us to reflect on the ‘gods’ or idols in our own lives that we might need to confront and relinquish.

Practical Relevance

Today, many people feel trapped by circumstances beyond their control, much like the Israelites in Egypt. Whether it’s financial strain, health issues, or relational conflicts, the message of God’s deliverance is profoundly relevant. Just as God heard the cries of the Israelites, He hears our cries today. Psalm 34:17 assures us, “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.”

Personal Anecdote

I remember counseling a couple who were on the brink of divorce. They felt enslaved by years of unresolved conflict and bitterness. We turned to the story of the Exodus, drawing parallels between their situation and the Israelites’ plight. Over time, as they committed to prayer and sought God’s guidance, a transformation occurred. It wasn’t immediate, much like the gradual escalation of the plagues, but God’s deliverance was evident. This story serves as a modern-day example of how God’s faithfulness and power to deliver are still at work today. God’s covenant faithfulness, the complexity of human and divine interactions, and the ultimate triumph of God’s power are themes that Exodus 6:2-9:35 weaves into a rich tapestry. These chapters encourage us to trust in God’s promises, recognize His sovereignty, and seek His deliverance in our own lives. Let’s ask ourselves as we reflect on these truths: What ‘Egypt’ do we need deliverance from today, and how can we trust in God’s mighty hand to lead us out?

How can we trust in God’s promises despite setbacks?

We can trust in God’s promises despite setbacks because His promises are rooted in His character and faithfulness. Throughout the Bible, we see God fulfilling His promises in His perfect timing and in ways that may not always align with human expectations or limitations. Even when faced with setbacks or challenges, we can take comfort in knowing that God’s plans are sovereign and that He is always working for our ultimate good.

When we encounter setbacks, it is an opportunity to exercise our faith and trust in God’s promises even more. God’s promises, as we see in the verse, are sure, unchanging, and dependable. Despite the difficulties we may face, we can have confidence that He is always true to His word and that His faithfulness endures forever. We can find strength and hope in the midst of setbacks by standing firm in our trust in God, knowing that His promises will ultimately come to fruition.

Application

Reflect on Exodus 6:2-9:35 and remember God’s power and trustworthiness. Just as God freed the Israelites, He can guide you through your toughest battles at work or stresses at home. Trust His promises. Stay strong in faith. Keep obeying. God’s at work in your life, even when it’s hard to see. Will you rely on His strength and guidance today?