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Exodus 3:19–22
“I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it; after that he will let you go” (vv. 19–20).
Yahweh, the one true God and covenant Lord of Israel, has given the words that Moses is to use to address the pharaoh. Moses must tell the king of Egypt to let the Israelites go so that they can sacrifice to God in the wilderness (Ex. 3:13–18). In other words, the Lord will save His people so that they will worship Him. This idea is repeated throughout the exodus and even after the people of Israel leave Egypt, for at Mount Sinai the Lord tells the Israelites that they are a “kingdom of priests” once God has redeemed them (see 19:6). We should always keep this in mind when we think of God’s reasons for providing salvation—the chief purpose for our salvation is for us to know and worship His glory (Heb. 12:18–29).
In today’s passage, the Lord tells Moses that the task ahead of him will be difficult. Moses’ asking will not move Pharaoh to release the Israelites; rather, Pharaoh will have to be compelled by God’s mighty hand (Ex. 3:19–20). As the leader of the most powerful empire on earth, the pharaoh understands only the language of power, and God must “stretch out [His] hand and strike Egypt” with wonders—miracles—that will bring devastation and show that God is Lord even over the strongest earthly king (v. 20). The Israelites, furthermore, will not leave Egypt empty-handed, but the Lord will provide for their material needs once they leave Egypt by moving the Egyptians to give the Israelites silver, gold, and clothing (vv. 21–22). Truly, God is the Savior and Provider of His people.
The Lord’s foreknowledge of Pharaoh’s resistance and His promise to overcome it teaches us two things. First, it reminds us that even those whom God intends to redeem will experience opposition. Jesus told us that in this world, we will have trouble. He also said that He has overcome the world, which points us to the second lesson of today’s passage—God is sovereign over our enemies, and He can and will finally bring their opposition to an end (John 16:33). John Calvin comments: “Whenever men cruelly rage against us, it does not happen contrary to the design of God, because He can in a moment quiet them. . . . We have no enemies so fierce and barbarous, as that it is not easy for Him readily to tame them. If we were surely persuaded of this, that men’s hearts are controlled, and guided by the secret inspiration of God, we should not so greatly dread their hatred, and threatenings, and terrors, nor should we be so easily turned from the path of duty through fear of them.”
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
As believers, we should expect that some will oppose us when we serve God. We should not fear this opposition. The Lord is just as able to defeat the enemies of His people today as He was in the days of Moses, and we know that ultimately all the impenitent enemies of Christ and His church will be defeated and excluded from His kingdom of blessing.
For Further Study
- Exodus 23:27
- Psalm 18:40
- Matthew 24:9–14
- Revelation 19:11–21