Exodus 3:13-22

I AM Has Sent Me

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13Then Moses asked God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is His name?’ What should I tell them?”

14God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

15God also told Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered in every generation.

16Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—has appeared to me and said: I have surely attended to you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt.

17And I have promised to bring you up out of your affliction in Egypt, into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—a land flowing with milk and honey.’

18The elders of Israel will listen to what you say, and you must go with them to the king of Egypt and tell him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Now please let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness, so that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’

19But I know that the king of Egypt will not allow you to go unless a mighty hand compels him.

20So I will stretch out My hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders I will perform among them. And after that, he will release you.

21And I will grant this people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that when you leave, you will not go away empty-handed.

22Every woman shall ask her neighbor and any woman staying in her house for silver and gold jewelry and clothing, and you will put them on your sons and daughters. So you will plunder the Egyptians.”

Berean Standard Bible

Read aloud

Moses asks what he should say when the Israelites ask for God's name. God answers, “I AM WHO I AM,” and tells Moses to say that I AM has sent him. He also identifies himself as the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

God tells Moses to gather the elders of Israel and announce that he has visited them and seen what has been done to them in Egypt. He promises to bring them up out of their affliction into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.

Moses and the elders are to ask Pharaoh for permission to go three days' journey into the wilderness to sacrifice to the LORD. God already knows that the king will not let them go unless compelled by a mighty hand.

God promises to strike Egypt with wonders and says the Israelites will not leave empty-handed. They will ask their Egyptian neighbors for silver, gold, and clothing, and the Egyptians will give them these things. The promise of rescue includes both worship and tangible provision.

The divine name is not a charm Moses can use to control events. It announces God's living, faithful presence and grounds Moses' mission in who God is rather than in Moses' eloquence or power.

Questions

1 What name does God give Moses to speak to Israel?

AnswerGod says, “I AM WHO I AM,” and tells Moses to say, “I AM has sent me to you.” He also names Himself as the LORD, the God of their fathers.

2 Why does it matter that He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?

AnswerThe God sending Moses is the same God who made promises to their fathers. His attention to Israel continues that covenant faithfulness across generations.

3 What does God tell Moses about Pharaoh's response?

AnswerPharaoh will refuse to let them go unless compelled by a mighty hand. God promises to act through wonders so that the king will release them.

4 What will the people take with them when they leave?

AnswerThey will receive silver and gold jewelry and clothing from the Egyptians. God promises favor so that they will not leave empty-handed.

What This Means for Us

God tells Moses about Pharaoh's resistance before it happens. A difficult response will not mean that God's promise has failed. When obedience is costly, we need to remember who God is instead of treating every obstacle as proof that He has abandoned us.

The rescue has a purpose: Israel will worship the Lord. Their freedom belongs to Him. Our own prayers for relief can include asking how to serve God with the time, strength, or resources He gives us.

God also promises provision for people leaving slavery. Their material needs matter to Him. When helping someone through a hard transition, find out what is missing: a meal, clothing, transportation, or help with a necessary task. Concern for a person's faith should include care for their daily life.

Prayer

I AM, faithful God, thank you for knowing your people's suffering and promising your presence. Teach us to trust your name, seek freedom for those under burdens, and use what we receive for worship and care. Amen.

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