Exodus 1-4: Introducing Moses

The LORD said to Moses: “On your return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart and he will not let the people go. So you will say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD: Israel is my son, my firstborn.  I said … Read more

But [Moses] said, “Oh my Lord, send, I pray, some other person.”  Then the anger of the Lord kindled against Moses …”  Exodus 4:13f. As we reflect on the unfolding dialogue, it begins to dawn on us how casual the negotiation flows between mortal man and divine transcendence. As we have seen in the last … Read more

But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?”  Exodus 3:11 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask … Read more

Then the Lord said, “I have seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their task masters; I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to … Read more

Meanwhile Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. Leading the flock beyond the wilderness, he came to the mountain of God, Horeb.  There the angel of the LORD appeared to him as fire flaming out of a bush. When he looked, although the bush was on fire, it was not being … Read more

So [Moses’ mother] took the child and nursed him.  And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son; and she named And the child grew, and she named him Moses, for she said, “Because I drew him out of the water.” Exodus 2:9f. Seven times Moses is referred … Read more

Now a man from the house of Levi went and took to wife a daughter of Levi.  The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.  And when she could hide him no longer she took for him a basket made of … Read more

All the offspring of Jacob were seventy persons; Joseph was already in Egypt. Then Joseph died, and all his brothers, and all that generation. But the descendants of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong; so that the land was filled with them. Exodus 1:5-7 Therefore they [the Egyptians] set … Read more