What Message Was Moses to Deliver?
When God called Moses from the burning bush, He entrusted him with a message that would alter the course of Israel’s history. This message was not merely a set of words—it was a divine declaration, a promise of deliverance, and a confrontation with the most powerful ruler on earth. Understanding the message God gave Moses reveals the heart of God’s plan for His people and the significance of Moses’ prophetic role.
1. A Message of Divine Identity
Before Moses could speak to others, he needed to know who was sending him. God revealed His name and authority so that Moses could speak with confidence.
“I AM WHO I AM”
God instructed Moses to tell the Israelites:
“I AM has sent me to you.” (Exod. 3:14)
This message assured Israel that their God was:
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Ever-present
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Eternal
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Faithful to His promises
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Unchanging and sovereign
By giving Moses His name, God provided the foundation for all that Moses would proclaim.
2. A Message for the Israelites: God Has Seen, Heard, and Will Deliver
God’s first command was for Moses to speak to the elders of Israel.
Their oppression was known to God
Moses was to tell them:
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God had seen their affliction
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God had heard their cry
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God had remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
A promise of deliverance
Moses was to declare that God would:
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Bring them out of Egypt’s bondage
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Lead them to a land flowing with milk and honey
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Defeat the nations occupying the land
This message revived hope in a people who had suffered for generations.
3. A Message for Pharaoh: “Let My People Go”
The most well-known part of Moses’ message was directed to Pharaoh.
The core command
God instructed Moses to say:
“The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to say: Let my people go.” (Exod. 3:18)
This was a challenge to Pharaoh’s authority and a declaration of God’s right to His people.
A purpose for their release
The reason was not political or economic—it was spiritual:
“That they may worship Me in the wilderness.”
Freedom was God’s gift to Israel so they could serve Him without oppression.
4. A Message of Warning and Judgment
God warned Moses that Pharaoh would resist.
Moses was to deliver:
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Warnings
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Signs and wonders
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Judgment messages
Each plague was accompanied by a prophetic announcement demonstrating that:
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The gods of Egypt could not stand before Yahweh
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Pharaoh’s pride would lead to national disaster
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God alone ruled over nature, life, and death
Ultimately, Moses was to declare God’s final judgment: the death of Egypt’s firstborn if Pharaoh continued to refuse.
5. A Message of Redemption and Covenant
Moses’ message extended beyond liberation. It prepared Israel for something deeper.
God would make Israel His people
Through Moses, God would communicate:
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The covenant at Sinai
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The laws that shaped Israel’s identity
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The instructions for worship and holiness
Thus, Moses’ message was not only about freedom from Egypt but also about relationship with God.
Conclusion
The message Moses was to deliver was vast and powerful. It included:
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God’s identity: “I AM has sent me.”
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God’s compassion: He had seen and heard His people’s suffering.
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God’s command to Pharaoh: “Let My people go.”
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God’s warnings and judgments over Egypt.
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God’s promise of deliverance, covenant, and a new homeland.