Exodus 3:18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 3:16-22

Moses is here more particularly instructed in his work, and informed beforehand of his success. 1. He must deal with the elders of Israel, and raise their expectation of a speedy removal to Canaan, Exod. 3:16, 17. He must repeat to them what God had said to him, as a faithful ambassador. Note, That which ministers have received of the Lord they must deliver to his people, and keep back nothing that is profitable. Lay an emphasis on that, Exod. 3:17: ?I have said, I will bring you up; that is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 3:18

And they shall hearken to thy voice ,.... The elders of Israel, who would give credit to his commission, attend to what he said, and obey his orders, and follow the directions that he should give them, and not slight and reject him, as some had done before: and thou shall come, thou, and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt : the elders of Israel in a body, and Moses at the head of them; though we do not read of their approaching to Pharaoh, and addressing him in such a manner,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 3:18

They shall hearken to thy voice - This assurance was necessary to encourage him in an enterprise so dangerous and important. Three days' journey into the wilderness - Evidently intending Mount Sinai, which is reputed to be about three days' journey, the shortest way, from the land of Goshen. In ancient times, distances were computed by the time required to pass over them. Thus, instead of miles, furlongs, etc., it was said, the distance from one place to another was so many days', so... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 3:18

Verse 18 18.And they shall hearken to thy voice. (44) The literal translation is, “They shall hearken to thy voice,” which many take to be a promise from God that they should be obedient; but the sense given in the Latin, “after they shall have heard thy voice,” seems more consonant, that first of all He should command them by the mouth of Moses, and that then they should accompany him in bearing the message to Pharaoh. For, before so difficult an undertaking was enjoined to them, it was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 3:1-22

THE MISSION OF MOSES . After forty years of monotonous pastoral life, affording abundant opportunity for meditation, and for spiritual communion with God, and when he had attained to the great age of eighty years, and the hot blood of youth had given place to the calm serenity of advanced life, God at last revealed Himself to Moses "called him" ( Exodus 3:4 ), and gave him a definite mission. The present chapter is' intimately connected with the next. Together, they contain an... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 3:16-22

The two messages. I. THE MESSAGE TO THE ELDERS OF ISRAEL ( Exodus 3:16-18 ). Moses was to go first to the elders of the people. First—before he went to Pharaoh; and first—before communicating with any of the people. This arrangement was— 1 . Necessary. The people's consent must be obtained to their own deliverance. God would have them co-operate with him— This applies to the higher Redemption. Men cannot be saved without their own consent. We must, in the sense... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 3:17-18

The promises to the elders, and to Moses. The elders were promised two things: read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 3:18

They shall hearken to thy voice . Moses thought they would despise him—turn a deaf ear to his words—look upon him as unworthy of credit. But it was not so. The hearts of men are in God's hands, and he disposed those of the elders to receive the message of his servant, Moses, favourably, and believe in it. (See Exodus 4:29-31 .) Thou shalt come , thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt . This future is perhaps one of command rather than of prophetic announcement. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 3:18-22

The coming liberation: God indicates the method of it. In this conversation between God and Moses, recorded in chaps, 3. and 4; we observe that God is occupied with something more than simply answering the questions of Moses. Answering these questions, he then goes on to give his own instructions besides. God's instructions to us, for right service, do not depend on our questions. These must be answered, that stumblingblocks may be taken out of the way; but when they are removed, then we... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 3:18-22

I. THE REMOVAL OF MOSES ' FEAR . His mission will be successful. 1 . He will win the people's trust for God. They will not refuse to hear. 2 . Their elders will accompany him into Pharaoh's presence: his request will become the people's. 3 . The Lord will lead them out laden with the spoils of Egypt. Going on God's errand there is no possibility of failure. The fears which rise as we measure the greatness of the task and our own strength vanish when we look up into the... read more

Group of Brands