Exodus 3:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then the Lord said, "I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings,

NIV: The Lord said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.

NASB: And the Lord said, 'I have certainly seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their outcry because of their taskmasters, for I am aware of their sufferings.

CSB: Then the Lord said, "I have observed the misery of my people in Egypt, and have heard them crying out because of their oppressors. I know about their sufferings,

NLT: Then the Lord told him, 'I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering.

KJV: And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

NKJV: And the Lord said: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows.

In the prior verses, God spoke to Moses out of a bush which was on fire, but not consumed. In the first part of this speech, God identifies Himself. Here, the Lord's statement speaks of the suffering of the Jewish people in Egypt. Symbolically, God say that He sees, hears, and knows of the plight of Israel. God clearly states that He has "seen" the suffering of those He calls "my people." Second, he has "heard" their cry. This cry was due to the harshness of their taskmasters (Exodus 2:23–25). Moses knew this situation all too well. Forty years earlier he had fled Egypt after killing an Egyptian taskmaster (Exodus 2:11–15).

The last phrase of the verse, "I know their sufferings," begins the next sentence that stands in parallel with the rest of this verse. The afflictions of the Hebrews were known to the Lord. He had heard their cry and would deliver them from the Egyptians. God planned to bring the Israelites out of Egypt and into a new land, just as He had with Moses. This time Moses would be used to lead the people from Egypt into a new land. His personal exodus from Egypt would be repeated through the nation's exodus from bondage into a wilderness where God would provide for their needs.

Exodus 3:1–8 describes the initial contact between Moses and God. This involves one of Scripture's most memorable images: the burning bush. Moses is tending sheep for his father-in-law in Midian, after fleeing from Egypt some forty years prior. He sees a bush which is covered in fire, but not being burnt up. "The angel of the Lord'' declares God's intent to liberate Israel from their slavery in Egypt.

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.