exodus-3:11-4:18-esv

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 3:11-12

Moses' timidity notwithstanding his fitness. It is not often that those are most confident of their powers who are fittest for God's work. Great capacity is constantly accompanied by a humble estimate of itself. Jeremiah's reply when God called him was: "Ah! Lord God, I cannot speak, for I am a child" ( Jeremiah 1:6 ). Newton seemed to himself a child gathering shells upon the shores of the ocean of Truth. The exclamation of Moses, "Who am I that I should go," etc. has been... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 3:11-17

Hindrances to service and how God removes them. 1 . THE HINDRANCE FOUND IN THE SENSE OF OUR OWN WEAKNESS ( Exodus 3:11 , Exodus 3:12 ). 1 . Moses knew the pomp and pride of the Egyptian court. He remembered how Israel had rejected him when he was more than he was now. Once he had believed himself able for the task, but he was wiser now: "Who am I ?" etc. He might serve God in the lowly place he held, but not there. Moses in this the type of multitudes. God's... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Exodus 3:11

Who am I - These words indicate humility (compare Numbers 12:3), not fear. He feared failure, owing to incompetency, especially in the power of expression. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Exodus 3:11

Exodus 3:11. Who am I? He thinks himself unworthy of the honour, and unable for the work. He thinks he wants courage, and therefore cannot go to Pharaoh: he thinks he wants conduct, and therefore cannot bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt They are unarmed, undisciplined, quite dispirited, utterly unable to help themselves. Moses was incomparably the fittest of any man living for this work, eminent for learning, wisdom, experience, valour, faith, holiness, and yet he says, ... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Exodus 3:1-12

God calls Moses (3:1-12)While Moses was minding sheep at Mount Sinai (also called Mount Horeb, after the range in which it was situated), the unseen God, who for eighty years had silently guided his life, made himself known to him. The revelation of God in the burning bush showed that though this God was unapproachably holy, he could dwell among earthly things without destroying them (3:1-6).God was now going to use Moses to deliver his people from bondage in Egypt and bring them into a new... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Exodus 3:11

Who am I. ? Figure of speech Erotesis, in expostulation ( App-6 ) for emphasis. Occupation with self is the cause of all distrust. Note these four instances. Compare Exodus 4:1 , Exodus 4:10-12 , Exodus 4:13 . Very different from the Moses of Exodus 2:11-14 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Exodus 3:9-11

"And now, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: moreover I have seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them. Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt. And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?"God here flatly proposed to Moses that Moses himself should lead the people up out of Egypt,... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Exodus 3:11

Exodus 3:11. Moses said—Who am I, &c.— Conscious of his own unworthiness and incapacity for so great a service, and apprehensive of his little influence with the court of Egypt; Moses here modestly declines the undertaking: upon which, God assures him of his immediate succour and assistance; and fortifies him with the encouraging declaration, that nothing should harm him, for that he himself would be with him; certainly I will be with thee. See Genesis 26:3; Genesis 28:15.Joshua 1:5; Joshua... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Exodus 3:1-12

Horeb is another name for Sinai (Exodus 3:1). It probably indicates a range of mountains rather than a particular mountain peak. The writer called it "the mountain of God" because it was the place where God later gave the Mosaic Law to Israel. The traditional site of Mt. Sinai and the Horeb range is in the southern Sinai Peninsula. However some Scripture references cast this location into question (cf. Deuteronomy 33:2; Galatians 4:25). These references suggest that the site may have been... read more