Have you ever been so discouraged that you struggled to hear what God was saying?
Key Verse:
“Say, therefore, to the sons of Israel, ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out… I will redeem you… I will take you for My people…’” —Exodus 6:6–7 NASB
Background Context:
In Exodus 5, Moses obeys God and confronts Pharaoh—but instead of improvement, the situation worsens. The Israelites’ burden increases, and both the people and Moses become discouraged.
Now in Exodus 6, God responds—not by changing the situation immediately, but by reaffirming His promise and reminding Moses of who He is.
(Continued and expanded after scripture.)
God Promises Action
1Then the LORD said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh; for under compulsion he will let them go, and under compulsion he will drive them out of his land.”
2God spoke further to Moses and said to him, “I am the LORD; 3and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name, LORD, I did not make Myself known to them. 4“I also established My covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they sojourned. 5“Furthermore I have heard the groaning of the sons of Israel, because the Egyptians are holding them in bondage, and I have remembered My covenant. 6“Say, therefore, to the sons of Israel, ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage. I will also redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. 7‘Then I will take you for My people, and I will be your God; and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 8‘I will bring you to the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I will give it to you for a possession; I am the LORD.’” 9So Moses spoke thus to the sons of Israel, but they did not listen to Moses on account of their despondency and cruel bondage.
10Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 11“Go, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the sons of Israel go out of his land.” 12But Moses spoke before the LORD, saying, “Behold, the sons of Israel have not listened to me; how then will Pharaoh listen to me, for I am unskilled in speech?” 13Then the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, and gave them a charge to the sons of Israel and to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt.
Reflection on Exodus 6:1–13:
God begins with a powerful statement: “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh.”
This is a turning point. God is not reacting—He is declaring that His plan is about to unfold.
But instead of immediately delivering Israel, God does something deeper. He reminds Moses of His identity.
“I am the LORD.”
This phrase is repeated throughout the passage. God is grounding Moses not in circumstances, but in His character.
He then reminds Moses of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This is not a new plan. God is continuing what He already promised long ago.
Then come a series of powerful declarations—what are often called the “I will” statements:
- I will bring you out
- I will deliver you
- I will redeem you
- I will take you as My people
- I will be your God
- I will bring you into the land
These are not possibilities—they are promises.
Yet when Moses shares this with the people, something surprising happens:
They do not listen.
Scripture says it is because of their discouragement and harsh labor.
This is deeply relatable. When life becomes overwhelming, even truth can be hard to receive. God is speaking hope, but the people are too burdened to hear it.
This shows us that discouragement can affect not only how we feel—but what we are able to receive spiritually.
God does not rebuke them for this. Instead, He continues His plan.
He then tells Moses again to go speak to Pharaoh.
Moses responds with doubt: “If the sons of Israel will not listen to me, how then will Pharaoh listen?”
This brings us back to an earlier theme—Moses still feels inadequate.
Yet God does not withdraw the calling.
This passage reminds us of something critical:
God’s promises are not dependent on our feelings.
God’s plan is not stopped by our discouragement.
Even when people cannot hear Him clearly… God is still working.
Application:
- Hold on to God’s promises, even when circumstances feel worse.
- Remember that God’s character does not change based on your situation.
- Be aware that discouragement can make it harder to hear truth.
- Return to God’s Word when your feelings are overwhelmed.
- Trust that God is working, even when you cannot yet see it.
Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to trust in Your promises even when I feel discouraged. When I struggle to hear You clearly, remind me of who You are and what You have said. Strengthen my faith to believe Your truth over my circumstances, and help me to continue walking forward in obedience. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.
May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.
John Golda
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