Exo 3:19 19 I know, however, that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. (NRSV) Just how confident was God that Pharaoh would not listen? Was it a mathematical certainty? Terence Fretheim (Exodus. Interpretation, 66): The next section (vv. 18-22) is a sketch of he future from Gods perspective. In view of what happens, however, this is not an absolute statement about the future. God assures Moses that the people will listen to him. But, while true of 4:30-31, it is not true of 6:9 (see at 4:8). God also announces that Moses and the elders are to bring a message to Pharaoh. Yet the elders are never said to go with Moses to Pharaoh. Apparently, in view of 4:29 and 5:1, Aaron replaces the elders. This is an important observation for understanding the God of the narrative and the shape of the future subsequent to a divine word. Events subsequent to Gods statement about the future occasion a change in the way things proceed. When Moses continues to object to the divine commission, God adjusts to new developments and appoints Aaron to stand with him (4:14-15). The future is thus not locked in by a word that God speaks (on Gods foreknowledge being less than absolute, see at 4:1-9).
Posted on: Fri, 07 Nov 2014 20:13:40 +0000
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