Exodus 6:8

6:1-9 We are most likely to prosper in attempts to glorify God, and to be useful to men, when we learn by experience that we can do nothing of ourselves; when our whole dependence is placed on him, and our only expectation is from him. Moses had been expecting what God would do; but now he shall see what he will do. God would now be known by his name Jehovah, that is, a God performing what he had promised, and finishing his own work. God intended their happiness: I will take you to me for a people, a peculiar people, and I will be to you a God. More than this we need not ask, we cannot have, to make us happy. He intended his own glory: Ye shall know that I am the Lord. These good words, and comfortable words, should have revived the drooping Israelites, and have made them forget their misery; but they were so taken up with their troubles, that they did not heed God's promises. By indulging discontent and fretfulness, we deprive ourselves of the comfort we might have, both from God's word and from his providence, and go comfortless.

And I will bring you in unto the land,.... The land of Canaan: concerning the which I did swear; or lift up my hand (a), which was a gesture used in swearing, Genesis 14:22. to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; see Exodus 6:4, and I will give it you for an heritage; to be possessed as an inheritance by them, so long as they were obedient to his will, or until the Messiah came: I am the Lord; whose counsels of old are faithfulness and truth; whose promises are yea and amen; whose gifts and calling are without repentance; and who is able also to perform whatever he has said he will do. (a) "levavi manum meam", Pagninus, Montanus, Munster.

Verse 8. - The land which I did swear to give it to Abraham etc. See Genesis 22:16-18 ; Genesis 26:3 , etc. The only formal oath is recorded in Genesis 22:16 ; but an oath is perhaps implied in every covenant between God and man. God's faithfulness is pledged to the performance of the terms of the covenant on his part. I will give it you for an heritage: I am the Lord. Rather, "I will give it you for an heritage, I the Lord" (or "I Jehovah," or "I the Eternal One"). "You have the pledge of my Eternity and Immutability that it shall be yours." CHAPTER 6:9 Exodus 6:8

8 . lifted up my hand ] i.e. sware ; the expression being derived from the custom of raising the hand to heaven when taking an oath. So Numbers 14:30 (P), Deuteronomy 32:40 (the Song); and esp. in Ezekiel 20:5-6 ; Ezekiel 20:15 ; Ezekiel 20:23 ; Ezekiel 20:28 ; Ezekiel 20:42 ; Ezekiel 36:7 ; Ezekiel 47:14 ; Psalm 106:26 (misrendered in PBV. ‘against’). Also, with a different verb for ‘lift up,’ Genesis 14:22 . The reference is no doubt to Genesis 24:7 J (cf. Exodus 15:18 J). heritage ] not the usual word ( naḥălâh ), but môrâshâh : elsewhere only Deuteronomy 33:4 (the Blessing), and in Ezekiel 11:15 ; Ezekiel 25:4 ; Ezekiel 25:10 ; Ezekiel 33:24 ; Ezekiel 36:2-3 ; Ezekiel 36:5 . I am Yahweh ] a solemn asseverative formula, closing a Divine utterance. It occurs with remarkable frequency in the ‘Law of Holiness’ (Leviticus 17-26), as Leviticus 18:5 ; Leviticus 18:21 ; Leviticus 19:12 ; Leviticus 19:14 ; Leviticus 19:16 ; Leviticus 19:18 , &c.; sometimes also elsewhere in P, Exodus 12:12 ; Exodus 29:46 (with the addition of ‘their God’), Numbers 3:13 ; Numbers 3:41 ; Numbers 3:45 . It is never found in J or E.

3. I … God Almighty—All enemies must fall, all difficulties must vanish before My omnipotent power, and the patriarchs had abundant proofs of this. but by my name, &c.—rather, interrogatively, by My name Jehovah was I not known to them? Am not I, the Almighty God, who pledged My honor for the fulfilment of the covenant, also the self-existent God who lives to accomplish it? Rest assured, therefore, that I shall bring it to pass. This passage has occasioned much discussion; and it has been thought by many to intimate that as the name Jehovah was not known to the patriarchs, at least in the full bearing or practical experience of it, the honor of the disclosure was reserved to Moses, who was the first sent with a message in the name of Jehovah, and enabled to attest it by a series of public miracles.

The adoption of Israel as the nation of God took place at Sinai ( Exodus 19:5 ). וגו נשׁאתי אשׁר, "with regard to which I have lifted up My hand to give it" ( Exodus 6:8 ). Lifting up the hand (sc., towards heaven) is the attitude of swearing ( Deuteronomy 32:40 cf. Genesis 14:22 ); and these words point back to Genesis 22:16 . and Genesis 26:3 (cf. Genesis 24:7 and Genesis 50:24 ).

[Reformed Biblical] rstood comparatively, as many others are, as Gen_32:29 Mat_9:13 1Co_1:17: q.d. They knew this but darkly and imperfectly, which will now be made known more clearly and fully. Exodus 6:4 Exodus 6:5 Exodus 6:6 ## With a stretched-out arm, i.e. my almighty power. A metaphor from a man that stretcheth out his arm, and puts forth all his strength to give the greater blow. ## With great judgments, i.e. punishments justly inflicted upon them, as the word judging and judgments is oft used, as Gen_15:14 2Ch_20:12 Pro_19:29. Exodus 6:7 ## Will take you to me for a people, i.e. for my people; ye shall no longer be the people and slaves of the king of Egypt, but my people and serva nts, whom I will bless and preserve. ## And I will be to you a God, to judge and deliver you. Exodus 6:8 And therefore, have authority and power to dispose of lands and kingdoms as I please; and faithful to give you what I have promised. Exodus 6:9 Their minds were so oppressed with their present burdens and future expectations, that they could not believe nor hope for any deliverance, but deemed it impossible; and having been once deceived in their hopes, they now quite despaired, and thought their entertainment of new hopes, or use of further endeavours, would make their condition worse, as it had done. Exodus 6:10 Exodus 6:11 Exodus 6:12 i.e. Of polluted lips. Uncircumcision being a great defect and blemish, whereby men were rendered profane, contemptible, and unfit for many services an d privilege

[Reformed Biblical] ## Neither hast thou delivered thy people, according to thy promise and mine, and thy people’s just expectation. ## Exodus 6:1 EXODUS CHAPTER 6 God encourageth Moses, Exo_6:1; reneweth his covenant, confirms it by his name Jehovah, Exo_6:3-8. Their unbelief, Exo_6:9. God commands Moses to speak to Pharaoh to let Is