6:6Small problems need only small answers. But when we face great problems, God has an opportunity to exercise his great power. As the Hebrews’ troubles grew steadily worse, God planned to intervene with his mighty power and perform great miracies to deliver them. How big are your problems? Big problems put you in a perfect position to watch God give big answers.
Life Application Study BibleExodusChapter 6
Exodus 6
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 104, 105, 106
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
6Exodus 6
Promises of Deliverance
1Then the LORD told Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh. When he feels the force of my strong hand, he will let the people go. In fact, he will force them to leave his land!” 2And God said to Moses, “I am Yahweh—‘the LORD.’* 3I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty’*—but I did not reveal my name, Yahweh, to them. 4And I reaffirmed my covenant with them. Under its terms, I promised to give them the land of Canaan, where they were living as foreigners. 5You can be sure that I have heard the groans of the people of Israel, who are now slaves to the Egyptians. AndIam well aware of my covenant with them. 6Therefore, say to the people of Israel: ‘I am the Lor. I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment. 7I will claim you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God who has freed you from your oppression in Egypt. 81 will bring you into the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as your very own possession. I am the LORD!’” 9So Moses told the people of Israel what the LORD had said, but they refused to listen anymore. They had become too discouraged by the brutality of their slavery. 10Then the LORD said to Moses, '"“Go back to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and tell him to let the people of Israel leave his country.” 12"But LORD!” Moses objected. “My own people won't listen to me anymore. How can I expect Pharaoh to listen? I’m such a clumsy speaker!*” 13But the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron and gave them orders for the Israelites and for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. The LORD commanded Moses and Aaron to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt.
The Ancestors of Moses and Aaron
1414These are the ancestors of some of the clans of Israel: The sons of Reuben, Israel’s oldest son, were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. Their descendants became the clans of Reuben. 15The sons of Simeon were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jakin, Zohar, and Shaul. (Shaul’s mother was a Canaanite woman.) Their descendants became the clans of Simeon. 16These are the descendants of Levi, as listed in their family records: The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. (Levi lived to be 137 years old.) 17The descendants of Gershon included Libni and Shimei, each of whom became the ancestor of a clan. 18The descendants of Kohath included Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. (Kohath lived to be 133 years old.) 19The descendants of Merari included Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites, as listed in their family records.
20Amram married his father’s sister Jochebed, and she gave birth to his sons, Aaron andMoses. (Amram lived to be 137 years old.)
21The sons of Izhar were Korah, Nepheg, and Zicri.
22The sons of Uzziel were Mishael, Elzaphan, and Sithri.
23Aaron married Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab and sister of Nahshon, and shegave birth to his sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
24The sons of Korah were Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph. Their descendants became theclans of Korah.
25Eleazar son of Aaron married one of the daughters of Putiel, and she gave birth to hisson, Phinehas.These are the ancestors of the Levite families, listed according to their clans.
26The Aaron and Moses named in this list are the same ones to whom the LORD said, “Lead the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt like an army.” 27It was Moses and Aaron who spoke to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, about leading the people of Israel out of Egypt. 28When the LORD spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt, 29he said to him, “I am the Lor! Tell Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, everything I am telling you.” 30But Moses argued with the LORD, saying, “I can’t do it! I’m such a clumsy speaker! Why should Pharaoh listen to me?”
Aaron’s Staff Becomes a Serpent
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Pay close attention to this. I will make you seem like God
Textual footnotes
- it is usually rendered “the LORD” (note the use of small capitals). 6:3 El-Shaddai, which means “God Almighty,”
- is the name for God used in Gen 17:1; 28:3; 35:11; 43:14; 48:3.
- 6:2 Yahweh is a transliteration of the proper name YHWH that is sometimes rendered “Jehovah”; in this translation
- 6:12 Hebrew / have uncircumcised lips; also in 6:30.
Life Application Notes 4 notes
6:6-8God's promises in these verses were fulfilled to the letter when the Hebrews left Egypt. He freed them from slavery, became their God, and accepted them as his people. Then he led them toward the Jand he had promised. When the Hebrews were rescued from slavery, they portrayed the drama of salvation for all of us. When God redeems us from sin, he delivers us, accepts us, and becomes our God. Then he leads us to a new tife as we follow him.
6:9-12When Moses gave God’s message to the people, they were too discouraged to listen. The Hebrews didn't want to hear any more about God and his promises because the last time they listened to Moses, all they got was more work and greater suffering. Sometimes a clear message from God is followed by a period when no change in the situation is apparent. During that time, Seeming setbacks may turn people away from wanting to hear More about God. If you are a leader, don’t give up. Keep bringing People God’s message as Moses did. By focusing on God, who must be obeyed, rather than on the results to be achieved, good leaders see beyond temporary setbacks and reversals.
6:10-12Think how hard it must have been for Moses to bring God's message to Pharaoh when his own people had trouble believing it. Eventually the Hebrews believed that God had sent
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Moses, but for a time he must have felt very alone. Moses obeyed God, however, and what a difference it made! When the chances for success appear slim, remember that anyone can obey God when the task is easy and everyone is behind it. Only those with persistent faith can obey when the task seems impossible. 6:14-25 This genealogy or family tree was placed here to identify more firmly Moses and Aaron. Genealogies were used to establish credentials and authority as well as outlining the history of a family. 6:26 To bring the Israelites out of Egypt like an army means that they would be brought out in tribes, clans, or family groups.