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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 3:11-15

God, having spoken to Moses, allows him also a liberty of speech, which he here improves; and, I. He objects his own insufficiency for the service he was called to (Exod. 3:11): Who am I? He thinks himself unworthy of the honour, and not par negotio?equal to the task. He thinks he wants courage, and therefore cannot go to Pharaoh, to make a demand which might cost the demandant his head: he thinks he wants skill, and therefore cannot bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt; they are... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 3:11

And Moses said unto God, who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh ,.... A private person, an exile in a foreign country, a poor shepherd, unknown to Pharaoh, and had no interest in him; and he a great king, and possessed of numerous forces to defend his country, and prevent the Israelites' departure out of it: time was when he was known to a Pharaoh, dwelt in his court, and made a figure there, and had great interest and authority there, being the adopted son of the king's daughter; but now... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 3:12

And he said, certainly I will be with thee ,.... To encourage and strengthen him; to protect, defend, and preserve him, and to succeed and prosper him; to give him credit and respect with the people of Israel, and influence over Pharaoh to prevail upon him at length to let Israel go: and this shall be a token unto thee that I have sent thee ; not the promise now made, nor the vision he had seen, but what follows: when thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 3:11

Who am I - that I should bring - He was so satisfied that this was beyond his power, and all the means that he possessed, that he is astonished that even God himself should appoint him to this work! Such indeed was the bondage of the children of Israel, and the power of the people by whom they were enslaved, that had not their deliverance come through supernatural means, their escape had been utterly impossible. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 3:12

Certainly I will be with thee - This great event shall not be left to thy wisdom and to thy power; my counsel shall direct thee, and my power shall bring all these mighty things to pass. And this shall be a token - Literally, And This to thee for a sign, i.e., this miraculous manifestation of the burning bush shall be a proof that I have sent thee; or, My being with thee, to encourage thy heart, strengthen thy hands, and enable thee to work miracles, shall be to thyself and to others the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 3:11

Verse 11 11.Who am I? He cannot yet be accused of disobedience, because, conscious of his own weakness, he answers that he is not sufficient for it, and therefore refuses the commission. His comparison of himself with Pharaoh was an additional pretext for declining it. This, then, seems to be the excuse of modesty and humility; and as such, I conceive it not only to be free from blame, but worthy of praise. It is no contradiction to this that he knew God to be the proposer of this very arduous... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 3:12

Verse 12 12.And he said, Certainly I will be with thee. It is remarkable that God sets his ready help alone against all to overcome every fear, and to take away every scruple; as much as to say, It matters not who Moses is, or what may be his strength, so that God be his leader. In these words we are taught, that he is never regarded by us with due honor, unless when, contented with his assistance alone, we seek for no ground of confidence apart from him; and, although our own weakness may... 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 3:7-11

God's sympathy with the oppressed. I. GOD IS EVER IN SYMPATHY WITH THE OPPRESSED , AND AGAINST THEIR OPPRESSORS ( Exodus 3:7 , Exodus 3:9 ). This is now, thanks to the Bible, made as certain to us as any truth can be. God's sympathy may be viewed— 1 . As implied in his moral perfection. 2 . As certified to us by the pity of our own hearts. He who put pity in these hearts must surely himself be pitiful. Yet, so much is there in the world which bears... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 3:10-12

Insufficiency. A very different Moses this from the hero who was formerly so ready, even without a call, to undertake the work of Israel's deliverance. Probably failure in that first attempt led him to doubt whether he was the instrument ordained for so great a task. He may have concluded he was not, and learned his first lesson of acquiescence in the Divine will, by surrendering the hope. Or, he may have thought himself rejected for his fault. In any case, Moses had now much juster... read more

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