Exodus 6
Exodus 6 begins with God reaffirming to Moses his promise of salvation for the Israelites. To Moses and the people of Israel, who are discouraged under Egypt’s oppression, God reveals himself as the LORD, and reminds them of the covenant he made with their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. After that, the genealogy of Moses and Aaron is introduced, showing their identity and continuity as the ones who will carry forward God’s work of salvation.
1verseThe LORD said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh, for by a strong hand he shall let them go, and by a strong hand he shall drive them out of his land.”
2verseGod spoke to Moses, and said to him, “I am the LORD.
3verseI appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty; but by my name the LORD I was not known to them.
4verseI have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their travels, in which they lived as aliens.
5verseMoreover I have heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage, and I have remembered my covenant.
6verseTherefore tell the children of Israel, ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm, and with great judgments.
7verseI will take you to myself for a people. I will be your God; and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
8verseI will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it to you for a heritage: I am the LORD.’”
9verseMoses spoke so to the children of Israel, but they didn’t listen to Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.
10verseThe LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
11verse“Go in, speak to Pharaoh king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land.”
12verseMoses spoke before the LORD, saying, “Behold, the children of Israel haven’t listened to me. How then shall Pharaoh listen to me, when I have uncircumcised lips?”
13verseThe LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, and gave them a command to the children of Israel, and to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.
14verseThese are the heads of their fathers’ houses. The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi; these are the families of Reuben.
15verseThe sons of Simeon: Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman; these are the families of Simeon.
16verseThese are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations: Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari; and the years of the life of Levi were one hundred thirty-seven years.
17verseThe sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei, according to their families.
18verseThe sons of Kohath: Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel; and the years of the life of Kohath were one hundred thirty-three years.
19verseThe sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their generations.
20verseAmram took Jochebed his father’s sister to himself as wife; and she bore him Aaron and Moses. The years of the life of Amram were one hundred thirty-seven years.
21verseThe sons of Izhar: Korah, and Nepheg, and Zichri.
22verseThe sons of Uzziel: Mishael, Elzaphan, and Sithri.
23verseAaron took Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab, the sister of Nahshon, as his wife; and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
24verseThe sons of Korah: Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph; these are the families of the Korahites.
25verseEleazar Aaron’s son took one of the daughters of Putiel as his wife; and she bore him Phinehas. These are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites according to their families.
26verseThese are that Aaron and Moses to whom the LORD said, “Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies.”
27verseThese are those who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring out the children of Israel from Egypt. These are that Moses and Aaron.
28verseOn the day when the LORD spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt,
29verseThe LORD said to Moses, “I am the LORD. Tell Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I tell you.”
30verseMoses said before the LORD, “Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh listen to me?”
Structure of the Main Text
- Verses 1–8: God reaffirms the promise of salvation to Moses, emphasizing his name as the LORD (his essential nature) and the faithfulness of the covenant.
- Verse 9: Moses conveys the message to the Israelites, but they do not listen because of their harsh labor and despair.
- Verses 10–12: God commands Moses to go to Pharaoh again, but Moses speaks of his own shortcomings.
- Verse 13: God confirms the commands given to Israel and to Pharaoh.
- Verses 14–27: The genealogy of Moses and Aaron appears, and especially the lineage of the tribe of Levi is detailed.
- Verses 28–30: The chapter ends with a scene in which God gives Moses his commission again.
Overall Meaning
This chapter emphasizes that God is the one who brings about Israel’s salvation, and it shows that his covenant continues faithfully beyond the limits of time. Even though the people are discouraged and human beings are weak, God’s plan for salvation does not waver and continues. It also lets us know that God’s work in history is carried out through real people.
Reflection Points
- Sometimes God reminds us again of his promises and faithfulness even when we are weak and despairing.
- In times of trial, can I hold on to the Lord’s promise without forgetting it? I can look back on the condition of my heart.
- As I reflect, I can remember that God’s work is accomplished through specific people and through continuity in history.
Personal Application
- I learn that even if I am in a difficult and discouraging situation, I must grasp God’s words and promises again with faith.
- When I speak honestly about my feelings of weakness in the face of problems in my life, I can remember that God still calls me and uses me.
- Today, I can make a decision to live with even greater trust in God’s faithfulness.
