Exodus 3:12 - Exposition

Certainly I will be with thee . Literally, " Since I will be with thee." Moses had excused himself on the ground of unfitness. God replies—"Thou wilt not be unfit, since I will be with thee— I will supply thy deficiencies— I will impart all the qualities thou needest— and this shall be a sign unto thee of my power and faithfulness—this shall assure thee that I am not sending thee upon a fruitless errand—it is determined in my counsels that not only shalt thou succeed, and lead the people out, but after that,—when thou hast so done—thou and they together shall serve me on this mountain ." The "sign" was one which appealed to faith only, like that given to Hezekiah by Isaiah ( 1 Kings 19:1-21 :29), but, if accepted, it gave a full assurance—the second step involved the first—the end implied the means—if Moses was of a certainty to bring the Israelites to Sinai, he must first lead them out of Egypt—he must in some way or other triumph over all the difficulties which would beset the undertaking.