“And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with us: and now let us go, we beseech thee, three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.”
Historical Context:Exodus 3:18 takes place within the larger context of the Book of Exodus, where the Israelites are in bondage and slavery in Egypt under Pharaoh’s rule. Moses, who was raised in Pharaoh’s palace but later fled to Midian, is called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and towards the Promised Land.
Moses’ Commission:In this verse, God is giving Moses specific instructions on what to say to Pharaoh when he confronts him. God assures Moses that the people of Israel will listen to his voice. Moses, along with the elders of Israel, is to approach the king of Egypt and convey a message from the Lord.
The Message to Pharaoh:The message Moses is instructed to deliver to Pharaoh consists of two main points:
- The LORD God of the Hebrews has met with the Israelites: Moses is to emphasize that the God of their forefathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has appeared to the Israelites in a profound way. This establishes God’s authority and divine intervention on behalf of the Israelites.
- The request to go and sacrifice to the LORD: Moses is to request Pharaoh’s permission for the Israelites to go on a three-day journey into the wilderness. The purpose of this journey is to offer sacrifices to the LORD, their God. It is important to note that Moses initially asks for a brief respite, but Pharaoh’s subsequent refusal leads to the ten plagues and a longer period of liberation.
Key Themes and Lessons:
- Divine Encounter: Exodus 3:18 highlights the significance of Moses’ encounter with God. This encounter establishes Moses as a chosen vessel for delivering God’s message and reveals God’s faithfulness to His covenant with the Hebrews.
- God’s Authority: The mention of the LORD God of the Hebrews emphasizes God’s sovereignty over the entire situation. God’s power and authority are at work in the liberation of His people from Egypt, and this message conveys His supremacy.
- Obedience and Faith: Moses is called to be obedient to God’s instructions and trust in His plan. Despite the challenges and uncertainty, Moses is to act in faith, knowing that God will accomplish His purposes through him.
- Worship and Sacrifice: The request to go into the wilderness to sacrifice to the LORD reflects the importance of worship and devotion to God. It teaches us the significance of setting aside time to honor and worship God, acknowledging His provision and faithfulness.
Overall, Exodus 3:18 conveys the divine commissioning of Moses to deliver God’s message to Pharaoh, emphasizing God’s authority, the call to obedience and faith, and the importance of worship. It sets the stage for the subsequent events in the Exodus narrative, highlighting God’s miraculous intervention and His desire to free His people from bondage.
