“And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me.”
Context:The book of Exodus tells the story of the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt. Moses, appointed by God, is sent to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, to demand the release of the Israelites.
Rise up early in the morning:God instructs Moses to rise up early in the morning. This demonstrates the urgency and importance of the message Moses is about to deliver. It also highlights Moses’ obedience and willingness to carry out God’s commandments.
Stand before Pharaoh:Moses is called to stand before Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt. This indicates that Moses is to approach Pharaoh directly and personally deliver God’s message. It shows that Moses acts as God’s representative and speaks on His behalf.
Pharaoh’s presence at the water:God tells Moses that Pharaoh will come forth to the water. The significance of this detail is not explicitly explained in the verse itself. However, in the context of the plagues that follow, it could imply that Pharaoh’s encounter with the Nile River is related to one of the upcoming plagues, specifically the plague of blood (Exodus 7:14-24), where the water of the river turned into blood.
“Thus saith the LORD”: This phrase emphasizes that Moses is delivering a divine message directly from God. By using this introductory statement, Moses emphasizes that the authority behind the demand for the Israelites’ freedom comes from the Lord Himself. It also signifies that Pharaoh’s response to this message will determine the course of events and the consequences that will follow.
“Let my people go, that they may serve me”: This is the central message that Moses is instructed to deliver to Pharaoh. God demands that Pharaoh release the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt so that they can serve Him. The phrase “let my people go” emphasizes the freedom that God desires for His chosen people. The purpose of their liberation is so that they may worship and serve God, following His commands and living according to His will.
This verse marks an important point in the narrative, as it represents one of several occasions when Moses confronts Pharaoh and demands the release of the Israelites. It highlights the ongoing struggle between God’s power and Pharaoh’s resistance, which ultimately leads to the ten plagues and the eventual liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery.
