You’ll Never Walk Alone

You’ll Never Walk Alone Exodus 3:11-22 Review • Israel in Egypt: slavery, threats, and growth. • Moses the Zealot. • Moses the Resident Alien. • The LORD sends Moses to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt. • Now … Moses begins a series of 5 rebuttals that range from appropriate humility to stubborn refusal. “Who Am I?” 1. Meaning – 3:11 • Some commentators believe that Moses’s reply here is a culturally courteous way of responding to a commission (see 1 Samuel 18:18; 2 Samuel 7:18). • Given the context and Moses’s mindset, it seems humble, self-effacing, and frankly realistic. 2. Response – 3:12 • God doesn’t disagree but offers His decisive presence. • God offers a “sign” to be fulfilled in about 3 months time. “What shall I say is your Name?” 1. Meaning: • It’s certain that both Moses and the people of God already knew the name “Yahweh” – Moses apparently isn’t asking for a codeword or for something new. • Two keys help us understand the question – (1) “What” – is a question of quality rather than identity; (2) “Name” is synonymous with one’s character. • The question is probably best understood as: “What is it about His identity that applies to our situation?” Or “How does the name “Yahweh” apply to us?” “What shall I say is your Name?” 2. God’s Response – 3:14-22 • Structure: (1) God gives an answer; (2) God gives 4 signs • Answer: God gives a two-part answer both to Moses and to the people of Israel. (1) A bold proclamation of His name followed by (2) An invitation to meditate on the ramifications of His name. • Signs: (1) The Elders will believe this outlandish proclamation [3:17-18a]; (2) Pharaoh will not release you even for a bare minimum of time [3:18b]; (3) I will compel Him [3:19-20]; (4) You will plunder the Egyptians [3:21-22] Lessons 1. Meditating on the eternality of God provides abundant comfort in troubling times – see Psalm 41, especially verse 13. 2. Meditating on the abiding presence of God wards off sins beset us – see Hebrews 13:5 3. Meditating on the fulfilled word of God grants courage and faith to move ahead – see Ezra 1