6:1 We finished the last verse with Moses confronting God, faltering in faith a bit. He is human, it happens in our journey and development of faith. God answers Moses' distress: "Now you shall see what I will do...". That point in our journey always comes, the moment when intention of God's plan becomes clear and His presence known and seen and felt.
God tells Moses that Pharaoh will be aggressive both in acquiescing and in forcing them out of Egypt. Not only does God know what is going to happen in all situations, He knows precisely how things will happen. He knows who will do them and in what nature. He knows the hearts and minds of every soul involved. This is why it is a strategic move to choose Him as your guide and protector: nothing is obscured to Him. All is known.
6:2 Perhaps because Moses needed reminding and perhaps we do too, God proclaims: I am the Lord. We believe in Him and maybe we even trust Him and communicate with Him regularly but we so often forget what that proclamation means. That proclamation is our freedom from fear, from worry and chaos and confusion from evil and enemy. That proclamation cements us eternally in the compassion of the Creator, the One who created it all (every atom within and around ourselves).
6:3 God has a pretty decent record at this point as He reminds Moses: He is the same entity who led Abraham, Isaac and Jacob out of their distress. The implementation of His will was revealed to be perfect as we followed along their journeys. They were delivered from enemies and into love by His expert Hand.
God uses the name we learned previously: YHWH, YHVH, Jehovah (translated in so many ways, each meaning: The Existing One, I AM.)
God explains to Moses that even if they did not fully understand Him, what He is, He knew them and blessed them. He gave his every effort to their well-being. God establishes Himself more clearly here with Moses: I am the Lord. He lords, reigns over all creation. He is our father, our Abba, but our Father's full-time job and nature is Lord.
6:4 God made a promise (established a covenant) with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and intends to keep it. He promised them and their ancestors the land of Canaan and He is working diligently to bring it about.
6:5 Yet God's ears did not close up after making that promise. He's still around listening to the prayers and concerns of His children. He remembers us. In every moment He remembers to actively love us.
6:6-7 Moses is told by God to take this reassurance and deliver it to the children of Israel. Specifically, He says this: "I am the Lord; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm with great judgments. I will take you as My people and I will be your God."
Are you able to apply that to your own life? God is. His promise is to take care of you in the same way. He has the exact message for you. Read it now: I am the Lord; I will bring you out from under burdens, I will rescue you from bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm with great judgement. I will take you as mine and I will be your God. He will do those things... will you invite and allow Him to?
6:8 Reassurance for the children of Israel (and us) continues: they will be led by Him to safety. He remembers each name that calls out to Him. He remembers each promise He makes with each individual.
6:9 Moses brings this emphatic message to the children of Israel but their faith is weak. It is an opportune moment to be grateful and comforted by something we have that these people did not: a direct connection and personal relationship to God. Moses is the one conversing with God and delivering the messages... the disconnect and the tribulation are causing these people to doubt.
We know and benefit now from one of God's ultimate plans (one that was unknown to them at the time): establishing the ability for humans to directly connect with God and the create personal relationships we have now come to depend on.
6:10-11 A second time, Moses is told to demand release from Pharaoh. Imagine yourself in such a situation. God will likely call you too to do the impossible. We must remember that what is impossible for us is always possible for Him. Moses is uncertain.
6:12 Moses is not settling into his position of leadership well. The passion is there, the faith is there... but the endurance and trust in self is not. Moses is disregarded by the people he's there to rescue... he does not think Pharaoh will regard him well either.
6:13 God is unwavering. He knows what must be done: demand the release of the children of Israel. God told Moses that this would happen but we cannot entirely blame Moses for worrying: it's our natural fallback as humans. Complete trust is a constant endeavor.
6:14 The Family of Moses and Aaron:
The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
6:15 The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul.
6:16 The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. It is noted that Levi lived to be 137.
6:17 The sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimi.
6:18 The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. It is noted that Kohath lived to be 133.
6:19 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi.
6:20 Amram and Jochebed's children: Aaron and Moses. It is noted that Amram lived to be 137.
6:21 The sons of Izhar: Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri.
6:22 The sons of Uzziel: Mishael, Elzaphan, and Zithri.
6:23 Aaron and Elisheba's children: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
6:24 The sons of Korah: Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph.
6:25 Eleazar's son: Phinehas.
6:26 -27 It is declared that the Moses and Aaron spoken of in verse 20 are the Moses and Aaron we follow now in this book of Exodus.
6:28-29 We return: God instructs Moses to persevere on his earthly purpose of freeing these ancestors of Jacob. God leads: directs word and action for Moses to be successful.
6:30 Moses is convinced of his own inability. He's needy... which is great for us because so are we! We get to see how God deals with His needy children in the next chapter. Spoiler alert: He pours love and encouragement into every need we have. He fills and establishes us with strength, power and purpose.
