Bg and structure:
(NET) It is the divine preparation of the servant of God, a servant who already knew what his destiny was. In this section Moses is shown how his destiny will be accomplished. It will be accomplished because the divine presence will guarantee the power, and the promise of that presence comes with the important “I AM” revelation. The message that comes through in this, and other “I will be with you” passages, is that when the promise of God’s presence is correctly appropriated by faith, the servant of God can begin to build confidence for the task that lies ahead. It will no longer be, “Who am I that I should go?” but “I AM with you” that matters.
The first little section, 2:23–25, serves as a transition and introduction, for it records the LORD’s response to Israel in her affliction. The second part is the revelation to Moses at the burning bush (3:1–10), which is one of the most significant theological sections in the Torah. Finally, the record of Moses’ response to the call with his objections (3:11–22), makes up the third part, and in a way, is a transition to the next section, where God supplies proof of his power.
Ob and In
(1) the groaning/crying out because of the slave labor x.23 x2
Verbs from 2:24-3:6: God heard their groaning...remembered His covenant...saw Israelites...understood...appeared to him (Moses)...God called to him from within the bush and said, "Moses, Moses!"..."Do not approach any closer...Take your sandals off...I am the God of your father..."
(NET) These verbs emphasize God’s sympathy and compassion for the people. God is near to those in need; in fact, the deliverer had already been chosen.
God did not solve the problem of famine, but He had prepared Joseph in Egypt so that the family of Jacob survivor. Again God did not solve the problem of the slave labor (v.23 x2), but He prepared their deliver who would leave them out of Egypt to Canaan.
I do not know why God did not solve the problem of famine and hard labor, which seemed to be relative easier, but the faith journey of Israelites began here.
(EBC) Misery finally found a voice, and so the pain of Israel’s bodily senses preceded her recognition of the poverty of her spiritual condition. Thus God prepared the audience and people who would be delivered while he prepared the deliverer himself. No longer did Egypt symbolize delightful foods, wealth, and fatness; instead, it now meant slave-masters, forced labor, and bondage. So Israel cried out to God.
Reflection: God sympathized with our pains, and He responded to us. However, it may not be the removal of our pain. He had a better plan that involve our faith. Can I trust God in my pain?
The spiritual journey did not just start from God, but also from our recognition of our presence suffering. Do I recognize my our spiritual needs? Am I too satisfying or too proud to recognize my need? Or I am too deceived by the world and too comfortable?
(2) The name of the patriarchs 2:24, 3:6
appeared to him (Moses)...God called to him from within the bush and said, "Moses, Moses!"..."Do not approach any closer...Take your sandals off...I am the God of your father..."
In other words He fulfilled His promise by preparing His deliverer. How? He approached the servant, called his attention, called him by the name, reminded him that He is holy, and finally, revealed to him Who He is. Why? What for?
(EBC) The presence of God demanded a holistic preparation of the one who would aspire to enter his presence
(NET) But the significant point here is the naming of the patriarchs, for this God is the covenant God, who will fulfill his promises.
(EBC) Thus God assured Moses that the God of his father had not forsaken his repeated word of promise (Gen 15:1–21; 26:2–5; 35:1–12) or his people, and he would certainly be with Moses in the commission he was about to receive.
Reflection: Do I recognize that I need to get ready for ministry by reminding myself of His holiness? Am I being encouraged in ministry because I know that He is with me?
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