Exodus 3:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt."

NIV: So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt."

NASB: And now come, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt.'

CSB: therefore, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh so that you may lead my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt."

NLT: Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.'

KJV: Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.

NKJV: Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.”

God has spoken to Moses out of a miraculous, burning-but-unburnt bush (Exodus 3:1–4). After stating His intent to free Israel (Exodus 3:7–8), God has begun to describe how Moses will lead the Hebrew people through a transition from oppression to prosperity.

Now the Lord transitions from explanation to command. Moses is to leave Midian, go back to Egypt (Exodus 2:14–15) and the Egyptian king, gather the people, and leave Egypt with them. In one sweeping sentence, Moses' life is completely upended. He will no longer lead sheep; he will lead the people of Israel. He will no longer live on the run from Pharaoh; he will confront Pharaoh. Moses will no longer live in exile from his people (Exodus 2:11); he will now live among them.

These words certainly surprised Moses. He will immediately attempt excuses (Exodus 3:11) to escape this calling. But God's call is not optional. He commands Moses to leave everything to follow God and fulfill his mission. Moses had been rescued and raised for this very purpose. God was now calling him to begin the process of bringing freedom to the Jewish people.

Exodus 3:9–15 reveals God's commission of Moses as His spokesman. His great task is to lead Israel out of their slavery in Egypt. God provides reassurance in response to Moses' doubts. God also identifies Himself using terminology which will be crucial in both Jewish and Christian understanding of His nature. As a name, God uses the phrase "I am," indicating His eternal, uncreated, necessary, absolute existence. This connects to the Hebrew term YHWH, most often seen as Lord, Yahweh, or sometimes translated as Jehovah. Jesus will use this same phrasing in the New Testament.

Moses is tending sheep for his father-in-law when he sees a miraculous sight: a bush which is on fire, but not burnt up. From this fire, God speaks to Moses, appointing him as the leader of the nation of Israel, whom God intends to free from Egyptian slavery. God identifies Himself in this passage using the famous terminology ''I am.'' Despite Moses' fears and doubts, God gives him a message to take to the elders of Israel, and eventually to Pharaoh himself.

Prior chapters in Exodus explained how the descendants of Abraham became a populous nation, but also one enslaved in Egypt. Exodus 3 describes the moment when God calls Moses to lead Israel out of slavery. This is accomplished through the miracle of the burning bush. This begins a dialogue between God and Moses. It includes messages for both Israel and Pharaoh which will continue into chapter 4.

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.