“Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt.”
Historical Context:Exodus 3:16 is a part of the account of Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush. At this point in the narrative, Moses has been living in Midian for several decades after fleeing from Egypt. God appears to Moses in a burning bush and commissions him to go to Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt.
Gathering the Elders:In this verse, God instructs Moses to gather the elders of Israel together. The elders were respected leaders within the community who played a crucial role in the social and religious life of the Israelites. God wanted to address the elders first and share His message through Moses to prepare them for what was to come.
God’s Identity:The verse continues by emphasizing the identity of the LORD God. He is referred to as “the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob.” By identifying Himself as the God of their ancestors, God establishes a connection with the Israelites and reminds them of His covenant promises to their forefathers.
God’s Visit:God tells Moses to inform the elders that He has surely visited them and seen the oppression they endure in Egypt. This statement reflects God’s compassion, His awareness of their suffering, and His intention to act on their behalf. It reassures the Israelites that God is aware of their situation and is about to intervene.
Lessons from Exodus 3:16:
- God’s Timing:The verse reminds us that God is never absent or indifferent to our circumstances. Even when it seems that He is silent or inactive, He is fully aware of what is happening in our lives. God’s timing is perfect, and He visits us in His appointed time.
- God’s Covenant Faithfulness:By identifying Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, God reiterates His faithfulness to the covenant He made with their forefathers. This reassures us that God is faithful to His promises and will fulfill His purposes in our lives.
- God’s Compassion:God’s declaration that He has seen the oppression of His people demonstrates His compassion for the suffering and the oppressed. It teaches us that God cares deeply about our struggles and is moved by our pain.
- God’s Use of Human Instruments:God chooses to work through human agents like Moses. He calls Moses to be His spokesperson and to gather the elders. This shows us that God involves us in His plans and equips us for the tasks He sets before us.
- Leadership and Community:The instruction to gather the elders highlights the importance of leadership within the community of believers. Leaders play a vital role in communicating God’s messages and mobilizing others for His purposes.
In conclusion, Exodus 3:16 emphasizes God’s timing, faithfulness, compassion, and the importance of leadership within the community of believers. It reminds us that God sees our struggles, acts on our behalf, and involves us in His plans.
