What does Exodus 3:18 mean?

This is part of God's message to the authority figures among the Hebrew people. It is to be delivered by Moses when he returns to Egypt (Exodus 3:16–17). God has already stated His intention to free Israel from their oppression and to give them control of a prosperous homeland.

God also promised Moses that these Israelite elders would heed his words. Moses was initially concerned that the Hebrews still living in Egypt would have no desire to listen to him (Exodus 2:14; 3:13). God's prediction here will be confirmed, as "the people believed" the message (Exodus 4:31).

Next in God's plan is for Moses and the elders of Israel to confront the king of Egypt—the pharaoh—to request a three-day journey. This is to make sacrifices to the Lord. Readers familiar with the story might ask why God would instruct Israel to make this request if His ultimate plan was to free Israel from Egypt entirely. In part, this appeal will show the obstinacy of Egypt's rulers: they won't even approve a minor detour, let alone complete freedom.

The completion of these instructions (Exodus 5:3) results in the expected answer. Pharaoh will reject the request, instead making a spiteful order which forced the Jews work even harder. God will follow this rejection with the plagues predicted later in this chapter (Exodus 3:20; 7—12). This request for a three-day journey is also repeated in Exodus 8:27. Interestingly, the plague of darkness would last three days, with no one working during this time (Exodus 10:22–23). Egypt's attempts to thwart God will result in the exact consequences they seek to avoid.