What does Exodus 3:8 mean?
Speaking to Moses from a bush burning with miraculous fire (Exodus 3:1–7), God promises two actions. First, He plans to rescue the nation of Israel from Egyptian slavery (Exodus 2:23–25). The idea of "coming down" likely connects with the plagues He would later use against the Egyptians. It evokes a powerful king coming from His throne to wield His power.Second, God will "bring [Israel] up" from Egypt into a new land. The land God intends to bring Israel into was "up" in the sense of being at a generally higher elevation from sea level. But the main implication is that this will be a significant improvement from their state in slavery.
This is Scripture's first use of a description repeated throughout the rest of the Old Testament. The place where Israel is going is good, "broad"—meaning large—"flowing with milk and honey," and occupied by six other nations at that time. The phrase "milk and honey" refers to a land full of good things, including food. This contrasts with the desert region of Egypt where milk and honey were difficult commodities to obtain. The six nations mentioned—sometimes listed as seven nations, such as in Deuteronomy 7:1—will frequently be repeated in the Old Testament. They are condemned for worshipping other gods and engaging in depraved sins. God would remove these strong nations to provide a land where His people could live in holiness.