Moreover
I have heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage, and I have remembered my covenant.
Exodus 6:5
Exodus 6 [2.] God spoke to Moses, and said to him, “I am Yahweh; and I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty; but by my name Yahweh I was not known to them. I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their travels, in which they lived as aliens. Moreover I have heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage, and I have remembered my covenant. Therefore tell the children of Israel, ‘I am Yahweh, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm, and with great judgments: and I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God; and you shall know that I am Yahweh your God, who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it to you for a heritage: I am Yahweh.’”
Meaning:
- God's Awareness:
The opening statement, "Moreover I have heard the groaning of the children of Israel," reveals God's attentive ear to the cries and distress of His people. It signifies a compassionate God who is intimately aware of the hardships faced by the Israelites under Egyptian oppression.
Cross-Reference: Psalm 34:15: "The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry." The concept of God being attentive to the cries of His people is echoed in the Psalms.
- Israel's Bondage:
The phrase "whom the Egyptians keep in bondage" emphasizes the oppressive and enslaving conditions the Israelites endure. It paints a vivid picture of their subjugation and serves as a reminder of the harsh reality they face.
- God's Covenant Remembrance:
The profound turning point in the verse is expressed in the words, "and I have remembered my covenant." This declaration marks a shift from God's apparent silence to His decisive remembrance of the covenant He made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Cross-Reference: Genesis 15:13-14: "Then the Lord said to him, 'Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward, they will come out with great possessions.'" God's promise to deliver the Israelites from bondage, made to Abraham, is now being remembered and fulfilled.
- God's Response:
The subsequent verses in Exodus detail God's response to the cries of His people, unfolding a series of events that lead to their liberation. This underscores the interconnectedness of God's awareness, covenant remembrance, and decisive action on behalf of those who call on Him.
Practical Application:
God's Timeliness: Exodus 6:5 reminds us of God's perfect timing. Even when it seems like God is silent, He is actively working behind the scenes, and there comes a moment when He remembers His promises and acts on behalf of His people.
Covenant Faithfulness: The remembrance of the covenant underscores God's unwavering faithfulness. As recipients of God's promises through Christ, we can trust that God remains faithful to His covenant, providing comfort and assurance in challenging times.
In conclusion, Exodus 6:5 encapsulates a moment of divine intervention in response to the cries of the oppressed. It highlights God's attentiveness to the plight of His people, the harsh reality of their bondage, and the pivotal remembrance of the covenant that propels God into action. As we reflect on this verse, may it serve as a reminder of God's compassionate nature, His unwavering covenant faithfulness, and the assurance that He hears the cries of those in need.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible