(NET) When he was younger, Moses was confident and impulsive, but now that he is older the greatness of the task makes him unsure. The remainder of this chapter and the next chapter record the four difficulties of Moses and how the LORD answers them (11–12, 13–22; then 4:1–9; and finally 4:10–17).
2 difficulties Moses responded to God in this section:
(1) The sign of the presence of God was not seen until Moses went to Pharaoh and led them out (not before). How can this help Moses? v.12
(NET) In this passage the sign is a confirming one, i.e., when Israel worships at the mountain that will be the proof that God delivered them from Egypt. Thus, the purpose of the exodus that makes possible the worship will be to prove that it was God who brought it about. In the meantime, Moses will have to trust in Yahweh.
(NET) This sign is also a promise from God—“you will serve God on this mountain.” It is given to Moses here as a goal, but a goal already achieved because it was a sign from God. Leading Israel out of Egypt would not be completed until they came to this mountain and served God. God does not give Moses details of what will take place on the road to Sinai, but he does give him the goal and glimpses of the defeat of Pharaoh. The rest will require Moses and the people to trust in this God who had a plan and who had the power to carry it out.
Reflection: When given a big task, God allowed His servant to raise up his difficulties and He will respond. Facing Pharaoh was not just Moses alone, but God was with Him. At this point, Moses had not seen any miracle yet, but God's presence should be assuring to him. (Moses would see lots of miracles from this point of time until they left Egypt plus the promise of worshipping God in Mount Sinai).
Can I trust God before I see any special sign? Is the presence of God enough for me?
(2) The second difficult Moses voiced out was about how to speak to the Israelites. God gave him the name, "I AM"
(NET) The idea of the verb would certainly indicate that God is not bound by time, and while he is present (“I AM”) he will always be present, even in the future, and so “I AM” would embrace that as well (see also Ruth 2:13; Ps 50:21; Hos 1:9)...The point is that Yahweh is sovereignly independent of all creation and that his presence guarantees the fulfillment of the covenant (cf. Isa 41:4; 42:6, 8; 43:10–11; 44:6; 45:5–7).
(3) ‘The LORD—the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you. This is my name forever, and this is my memorial from generation to generation.’
The name, "Yahweh" revealed that He is the God of the patriarchs. The name also served as memorial of His character.
(NET) The words “name” and “memorial” are at the heart of the two parallel clauses that form a poetic pair. The Hebrew word “remembrance” is a poetical synonym for “name” (cf. Job 18:17; Ps 135:13; Prov 10:7; Isa 26:8) and conveys the idea that the nature or character of the person is to be remembered and praised
Reflection: The difficulties to speak to the Israelites would be settled by the name. The One that is always there. The One whose sovereignty is enough to guarantee of fulfillment of the covenant that He had with the patriarchs. The One whose name will be remembered for His character. God knew that when the Israelites knew that He is the One who sent Moses they would listen to Moses.
Will I listen if I was one of the Israelites?
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