Exodus 3:11-22 is one of the early books of the Bible. It is an encounter that Moses has with God on Mount Horeb. Herein, God reveals Himself to Moses for the first time and commissions him to free the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. God explains His mission for Israel and His relationship with the Israelites by using many essential terms and phrases such as “I AM WHO I AM” (3:14), “Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” (3:15-16), “wonders” (3:20), and “disposed toward” (3:21). In Exodus 3:11-14, God reveals Himself to Moses in the form of a burning bush that does not burn out. This scene is filled with symbolism and implications about identity, God’s identity, and what identity Moses will soon take on. The fire is a sign of God’s power, and the fact that it does not go out is a metaphor for God’s everlastingness. In the same way, Moses’ mission to rescue the Israelites will be one of everlasting significance, as will his legacy to the people of Israel in leading them out of slavery.
The phrase “I AM WHO I AM” appears only once in the Old Testament, in Exodus 3:14. Walton notes that this is an expression of God’s self-existence and His unfailing strength, permanence and reliability. Additionally, it connects Him to the attribute of eternity. This phrase emphasizes God’s divinity and uniqueness, as He is found nowhere else in all creation. It also highlights the wondrous mystery of His name, as humans do not fully know or understand it.
Verses 11-15: God commands Moses to go, reassuring him of His presence in the situation and emphasizing that if Moses follows His guidance, He will bestow upon Moses and the Israelites great signs and wonders. The Lord also encourages Moses, explaining that the day he goes before Pharaoh will have lasting ramifications for generations of Israel even after he is gone. Walton’s commentary on this passage helps to highlight the importance of the Lord’s words to Moses. He notes that when God speaks to Moses in verses 11-15, he stresses the need for Moses to go without fail. This is meant to display God’s power and purpose, as He tells Moses that He will go before him to bring the Israelites out of captivity. The Lord not only reassures Moses that he will not be alone but promises that He will also make Pharaoh’s heart harden against him. This is significant in Exodus as it shows how the Lord is in control of the situation and how Pharaoh cannot issue his judgement without the permission of God. In verse 14, the Lord reveals himself as the “I am”, representing his omnipotence and pre-existence. By emphasizing this aspect of himself, the Lord shows Moses that he is not just a God to be reckoned with but a powerful being going before him. In addition, Walton also points out that the Hebrew word used in verse 15 has particular implications. Walton notes that the Lord is telling Moses that He knows all things, past, present and future. This encourages Moses to trust in God and assures him that the Lord will be with him even when Pharaoh’s heart is hardened.
The names Abraham, Isaac and Jacob frequently appear throughout the Old Testament. However, their use in Exodus 3:15-16 is particularly significant for a few reasons. Firstly, the fact that God refers to His relationship with these patriarchs establishes a connection between His promise to the children of Israel and history. This reminds God’s chosen people that they are connected to a long line of faithful individuals who had faith even when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds. Secondly, these men were associated with three distinct nations (Hebrews, Arabs, and Israelites); by connecting all three of these nations under His umbrella of promises and protection, God solidifies His leadership over all peoples. Lastly, the mention of these three patriarchs symbolically represents faith, determination, and continuity for future generations, emphasizing that promises made to their ancestors still stand as a reminder of continued perseverance and fidelity today.
Verses 16-22: In these verses, the Lord prepares Moses for his mission by giving him instructions about the words he should say in front of Pharaoh. The Lord lays out what Moses must tell Pharaoh, including calling the Israelites’ God by His name and explaining why the Israelites must journey into the wilderness. The Lord then gives Moses a specific sign to show Pharaoh through a series of miracles God will perform as proof of His authority. The Lord also instructs Moses that if Pharaoh does not grant the Israelites’ request for freedom, He will visit great plagues and afflictions on Pharaoh and his people. Walton notes in his commentary on this passage that the Lord is giving Moses specific instructions on how to not only act but also speak while he is in front of Pharaoh. He highlights how significant the Lord’s choice of words is to Moses regarding how he should address Pharaoh. Walton notes that both the terms ohevet and avad used here are uniquely designed to emphasize that Pharaoh should act according to God’s commands – whether he wanted to or not. In addition, Walton stresses the importance of Moses calling the Israelites’ God by his name Yahweh, emphasizing His power as Lord over all. The Lord then gives Moses a sign to show Pharaoh as proof of His authority: a staff that turns into a snake (Croatto 2021). Walton considers this sign a demonstration of God’s power, noting how it would have been a tangible reminder for Pharaoh that God was more potent than any Egyptian god. The significance of turning a staff into a snake speaks volumes about God’s power and authority, as He holds all things in His hands. Lastly, Walton points out that the sign also serves as a promise from God that unless Pharaoh listens to His commands, He will afflict Egypt with plagues and fantastic signs and wonders (v19).
The word “wonders” used in Exodus 3:20 carries a special meaning. In this context, it refers to miraculous signs of divine intervention presented as proof of God’s provision. Walton says, “these wonders were intended to break down hardened or resistant wills (and) to compel them to worship and follow only the one true God”. These miracles were also manufactured with a specific purpose, highlighting the awe-inspiring capability of an all-powerful being. God speaks of the wonders He will show the Israelites to demonstrate His power and authority. This can be seen as a reminder that life is ultimately in His hands, and He will provide for them whatever they require. This idea is powerful, as it shows the faithfulness of God to those who trust in Him and His ability to move mountains to prove His greatness. Disposed Toward (3:21): In this verse, God explains that He is “disposed toward” the Israelites and will not treat them as harshly as he did Pharaoh and his army. This phrase is an assurance from God that He will help and protect His people, no matter what happens. This helps us to understand God’s love for us and that even something as devastating as slavery can be turned into an opportunity for freedom and liberation if we trust in Him.
God being disposed towards these people conveys a sense of camaraderie and mutual understanding, whereby they can trust in one another and build lasting relationships. This displays a greater level of compassion than what might have been expected at the time, as God shows a greater degree of understanding and mercy as opposed to punishing those who stray from His instruction. Through His actions, He reminds them that no other gods compared to Him can rival His power or greatness. Exodus 3:21 serves as an essential reminder to all Christians everywhere that no one can come close to matching God in His love and grace towards us. It shows us how far He is willing to go to create deeper relationships between Himself and humanity. Even when His people disobey Him out of fear or convenience, God shows them mercy, as noted here in Exodus 3:21. This is both a warning against turning away from Him as well as a call for believers to foster these dispositions towards one another to create lasting bonds within the Christian community. God wants us to acquire more of this favourable disposition towards each other to find strength and solace within each other’s presence. Additionally, we should strive to emulate this example of love and mercy by being kind and forgiving towards others, no matter their differences or mistakes. This is the essence of the phrase “disposed toward” from Exodus 3:21 – to recognize God’s favorability and grace and use it as a standard for all our relationships.
In conclusion, it is evident from reading Exodus 3:11-22, along with Walton’s commentary on this passage, that God is preparing Moses to go before Pharaoh and free the Israelites from slavery. He instructs Moses on what he should say and do while in front of Pharaoh and gives him signs to show as evidence of His authority and power (Hawn 2019). In these verses, God emphasizes His other-worldly capabilities as the “I Am”, His control over all things – even Pharaoh’s heart -and His capacity to perform signs and wonders when needed to accomplish His will for humanity. It is clear from reading these passages that the Lord is reinforcing one point for Moses: He will be with him every step of his mission. In examining these different aspects of Exodus 3:11-22, it becomes clear that Moses was given an incredible commission from God. Through his words and deeds, we can see a divine power that surpasses time and circumstance—grounded in raw strength and grace and compassion for those who seek Him in faith. In particular, phrases like “I AM WHO I AM” (3:14), “Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” (3:15-16), “wonders” (3:20), and “disposed towards” (3:21) serve as powerful reminders of the timeless nature of God’s nature and His enduring commitment to His people. Ultimately, these words give us hope that we can always turn to God for encouragement and strength no matter what trial or adversity we face.
References
Hawn, C. M. (2019). History of Hymns:‘Go Down, Moses.’. Discipleship Ministries, The United Methodist Church. https://www. umcdiscipleship. Org/resources/history-of hymns-go-down-Moses.
Croatto, J. S. (2021). Exodus: A hermeneutics of freedom. Wipf and Stock Publishers.
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