Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 3:12
And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this [shall be] a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.
12. In reply God assures him that He will be with him and support him: cf. Gen 28:15; Gen 31:3; Jos 1:5; Jos 3:7; and especially Jdg 6:16. ‘Certainly,’ like ‘Surely’ in Jud. l.c., is better omitted: the Heb. ki is like the Greek recitativum ( Lex. 471 b b).
token ] The word usually rendered ‘sign,’ as Exo 4:8; Exo 4:17, Isa 7:11, &c. The word means here evidence or proof, as Jdg 6:17, 1Sa 14:10, 2Ki 20:9: and with reference to something not to be realised immediately, 1Sa 2:34, Isa 7:11; Isa 37:30. The promise, given with all assurance, that the liberated people would worship God on the very mountain on which he was standing, though its full cogency could not be perceived till it was fulfilled, was a guarantee to Moses that God had really sent him.
that I have sent thee ] The pron. is emphatic.
upon this mountain ] The mountain which is God’s abode: cf. v. 1, Exo 19:3 a, 4 b.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
A token unto thee – Or the sign. The word means a declaration or promise of God, which rests absolutely on His word, and demands faith. The promise that God would have the people serve Him in that place was an assurance, if fully believed, that all intervening obstacles would be removed by His power.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Exo 3:12
Certainly I will be with thee.
The guarantee of success
Take this assurance as applying to the whole service of sanctified life, and it entitles us to draw four practical inferences.
I. Certainly I will be with thee.–then man is servant not master He should know his place, or he can never keep it. As servant, he should–
1. Constantly consult his Master.
2. Constantly speak in the name of his Master.
3. Constantly be jealous of the honour of his Master.
II. Certainly I will be with thee.–then the work must succeed. What is the guarantee of success?
1. Not human cleverness; ministers may be clever, so may churches, etc.; we may have learned sermons, able sermons, ingenious sermons, etc.
2. Not skilful organisation. Cards, bazaars, registers, circulars, etc., all useless as ends.
3. The word of the Lord is the guarantee of success. The mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. My word shall not return unto Me void.
III. Certainly I will be with thee.–then the servant is to be received for the masters sake. He that receiveth you receiveth Me, and he that receiveth Me receiveth Him that sent Me. The true minister carries a blessing with him. The Romans were to receive Phoebe in the Lord. What a lesson to ministers–they are representatives of God!
IV. Certainly I will be with thee.–then there need be no lack of grace or power. If any man lack wisdom, etc. Lo, I am with you alway, etc. Ye have not because ye ask not, or because ye ask amiss. The servants may take counsel of one another, but not to the interruption of continuous and trustful prayer to the Master.
1. God is with His servants for their comfort.
2. For their guidance.
3. For their safety.
Application: Notice–
1. The individuality of the promise, I will be with thee–with the one man.
2. The emphasis of the premise–Certainly. Who is with us in our life-ministry? (J. Parker, D. D.)
The Divine companionship realised by the good in the service of the Christian life
I. It was considerate. Promise made when most needed-at time of weakness.
II. It was emphatic. Leaving no room for doubt.
III. It was sympathetic. With thee. Not I will follow thee–not I will go before thee-not I will be near thee–but with thee–as a companion to cheer thy soul; as a friend-to give thee counsel; as a God–to make thee victorious. How can a mission fail when God is with the worker? (J. S. Exell, M. A.)
Gods presence with His ministers
The mission of Moses resembles that of every Christian minister, in that–
I. He was sent to his brethren.
II. When he went to them, he found them in a state of bondage and oppression; their spirits crushed, their minds degraded.
III. He found that he only provoked them by his endeavours to deliver them.
IV. Promises were given to support him under his disappointments. View the promise in the way of–
1. Encouragement. God will be with every minister–
(1) As a guide;
(2) To strengthen and support him under trial;
(3) To comfort and console him.
2. Caution. While each pastor rests on the consolation of this privilege, he must not forget the call to watchfulness and holiness which is inseparably connected with it. (H. Raikes, M. A.)
God is with His ministers
When I first entered the ministry, twenty years ago, I was filled with an enthusiasm that was as fresh as it was inexperienced in the work of winning souls. I felt sure, when I began to preach, that all the world would hear and be converted. The gospel was so simple; the news so good; the grace of Christ so precious–that I could think of nothing else but that my hearers would at once give themselves to Christ. I was under the impression that the reason people were not converted in greater numbers was that the preachers did not make the gospel simple and plain. This I supposed that I could do. Alas, I was as ignorant as Moses when he made his first attempt to save his brethren. I did not know what the bondage was, though I myself had been delivered. I did not realize the darkness of the unrenewed mind, the enmity of the unrenewed heart. I did not know the strength of the chain with which Satan has bound souls. But, like Melancthon, who had a similar thought, I found that old Adam was stronger than young Pentecost; and I confess that to this hour, though I have been in the work for twenty years, I never sit down by the side of an unconverted man, woman, or child, to attempt to lead them to Christ, without a certain sense of fear. My insufficiency always comes before me when I think of what is involved in this work. To persuade a man to reform his life, to give up certain sins and hurtful lusts, is comparatively easy: but to convert a sinner to God is difficult work indeed; and without the aid of the Divine Spirit it is impossible for man to effect it. What answer have we to give to this honest shrinking from a difficult work? Let us hear how God answered Moses: Certainly I will be with thee. As though He had said, Why, Moses, you did not expect that I was going to send you down to Egypt alone, to deliver My people? Have you forgotten that I said I had come down to deliver? You indeed are to be My instrument; but I will be with you to make you mighty, and to bring the apparently impossible work to pass. This puts the work in a new light. If God goes with us to the work, then can we undertake anything. When Jesus said, Go ye into all the world, and make disciples of all nations, He did not forget to say, Lo, I am with you alway. (G. F. Pentecost, D. D.)
The invisible but ever-present God
God thus puts Himself apparently into a secondary position. Moses is to stand at the front, and, so far as publicity is concerned, to incur the whole responsibility of the proposed movement. It was easy for Moses to say that he was prompted of God to make certain representations to Israel and Pharaoh, but how were they to be convinced that Moses was servant and not master? This is the difficulty of all the highest service of life, namely, that the spiritual is invisible, and yet omnipotent; public attention is fixed upon the human agent, and professions of spiritual inspiration and impulse are treated with distrust, if not with contempt, by the most of mankind. It is the invisible Christ who is with the Church. Were He present manifestly, it is supposed that greater results would accrue from Christian service; but the supposition must be mistaken, inasmuch as He to whom such service is infinitely dearer than it ever can be to ourselves has determined the manner of Christian evangelisation. What, then, is the great duty and privilege of the Church? It is to realize the presence and influence of the Invisible. The Church is actually to see the Unseen. There is another vision beside the vision of the body; faith itself is sight; and where faith is complete, there is a consciousness of Gods presence throughout our life and service which amounts to a distinct vision of Gods personal presence and government. (J. Parker, D. D.)
The spirit of destiny
Moses has been, as it were, audibly and visibly called to service and invested with authority. A keen pleasure would seem to attach to experiences of that kind. Surely it was a blessed thing to speak face to face with God, and to go straight away from the communing to do the work which had been prescribed. The directness of the interview, the absence of all second causes and instrumentalities, has about it a solemnity which profoundly affects the heart. But is my destiny less Divine because it has been revealed to me under conditions which seem to separate widely between the Creator and the creature? Has God only one method of working in revealing to a man what that mans work in life is intended to be? We do not always see the fountain; sometimes we have to be content to drink at the stream. The danger is lest we imagine the stream created itself, forgetting in our irreligion and folly that the stream is impossible apart from the fountain. A man is sometimes awakened to his destiny by his fellow-men. In other cases a mans destiny seems to be determined by what he calls his circumstances or his environment. But why this wide and circuitous way of putting the case to the mind? We do not depose God by mistaking the origin of our action; we do but show the poorness of our own judgment, or the want of justice which impoverishes our lives of their best qualities. Every man should put to himself the question–What is my destiny? What does God mean me to be and do in the world? (J. Parker, D. D.)
The presence of God
In the early days of the Theological Seminary at Alleghany, it was often in great need of money. Once, in a time of extremity, the Rev. Dr. Francis Herren, President of the Board of Directors, the Rev. Dr. Elisha P. Swift, also a director, and Rev. Jos. Patterson, met to devise some way of relief. With all their faith, the first-mentioned brethren were greatly dejected, We have no one to help us, said one of them. No one! replied Mr. Patterson, warmly: Why! I know of a thousand here. The two looked astonished. He continued, Is not Dr. Herren a cipher? is not Dr. Swift a cipher? am not I a cipher? But Jesus Christ is surely One. And if we put one before three ciphers, does it not make a thousand? They took new courage, went to that One who is able to help, and did not pray in vain.
Christs presence promised
Chrysostom beautifully says, for our comfort: I have a pledge from Christ–have His note of hand–which is my support, my refuge and haven; and though the world should rage, to this security I cling. How reads it? Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. If Christ be with me, what shall I fear? If He is mine, all the powers of earth to me are nothing more than a spiders web.
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 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 evidence of thy Divine mission.
Ye shall serve God upon this mountain.] This was not the sign, but God shows him, that in their return from Egypt they should take this mountain in their way, and should worship him in this place. There may be a prophetic allusion here to the giving of the law on Mount Sinai. As Moses received his commands here, so likewise should the Israelites receive theirs in the same place. After all, the Divine Being seems to testify a partial predilection for this mountain, for reasons that are not expressed. See Clarke on Ex 3:5.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
This shall be a token unto thee; either,
1. This vision; or,
2. The fulfilling of this promise, that
I will be with thee by signs and wonders, and a strong hand; or rather,
3. This which here follows, that he and Israel should serve God there. Signs indeed are commonly given from things past or present, but sometimes from things to come, as here, and 1Sa 2:34; Isa 7:13,14; 9:6, &c.
Quest. How could Moses be confirmed in his present calling and work by a thing yet to come?
Answer. Such signs, if they were single, and the only evidences of a mans calling, might leave some ground for suspicion; but when they are accompanied with other signs, as it is here and in the other places produced, they are of great use for the corroboration of a mans faith. Moses was otherwise assured of the presence, and power, and faithfulness of that God who spake to him, and was to expect more assurances that God would be with him to help him in and carry him through his work. And as an evidence that this work of bringing Israel out of Egypt should be completed, he gives him a promise that he should serve God in that place; which promise coming from God, he knew to be as infallibly certain, as if it were already come to pass, and therefore this was an apt mean to strengthen his faith in his present undertaking.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
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 upon this mountain: Mount Horeb or Sinai, as they did at the time of the giving of the law on it, when an altar was built upon a hill, and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, Ex 24:4 and this was a sign, “a posteriori”, confirming the divine mission of Moses; and besides the promise of this, on which Moses might depend, being made by the Lord, assured him of success, that he should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt, since he and they would serve the Lord together at this mountain, and from whence he might conclude he had a mission and commission from God. Of a like kind is the sign or token given of the deliverance of Jerusalem from the army of Sennacherib, Isa 37:30.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
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 alarm us, think it enough that he is on our side. Hence these celebrated confessions of his saints:
“
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me.” (Psa 23:4.)
Again,
“
In God have I put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.” (Psa 56:4.)
Again,
“
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of the people.” (Psa 3:6.)
Again,
“
If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31.)
Therefore, in proportion to our advancement in the faith, when we are exposed to the greatest dangers, do we magnify the power of God, and, exalting ourselves in that, advance boldly against all the world; and this is the ground of firm and unwearied obedience, when the thought that God is with us is deeply rooted in our hearts. But, after Moses is commanded to turn away his reflections from himself, and to fix all his regards upon the promised help of God, he is confirmed by a sign, that the Israelites should sacrifice on Mount Horeb three days after their departure from Egypt. Still this promise appears neither very apt nor opportune, since it would not exist in effect till the thing was done. I pass over the forced interpretations, which some, to avoid this absurdity, have adduced; since others wisely and prudently observe, that the confirmation which we receive from posterior tokens, is neither useless nor vain, and that there are examples of it elsewhere in Scripture. Samuel, by anointing David, promises that he shall be king of the people; and pronounces that this shall be the sign that the anointing is from God. (1Sa 16:13.) David had long to battle with misfortunes before he could enjoy this token, yet will it not be thought superfluous, since in its season it confirmed the favor of God. Isaiah, prophesying of the raising of the siege of the city, adds a sign,
“
Ye shall eat this year such as groweth of itself; and the second year that which springeth of the same; and in the third year sow ye and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruit thereof.” (Isa 37:30.)
It was said to John the Baptist,
“
Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.” (Joh 1:33.)
Yet, before he beheld that sign, he already knew that Christ was the Son of God; for the prophecies of both his parents were well known to him. But there is nothing absurd in the faith, which is founded on the word, being increased by the addition of a sign. In fine, God magnifies his mercy by the new mercy which supervenes, thus, as it were, heaping up the measure; and, in truth, the vocation of Moses was ratified by a remarkable proof, when, in the very place on which he then stood, the people, brought forth by his instrumentality, offered a solemn sacrifice. In the meantime God kept his servant in suspense, as though he had said, Let me perform what I have decreed; in due time you will know that your were not sent by me in vain, when you have brought the people safely to this spot.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(12) Certainly I will be with thee.Heb., since I will be with thee. An answer addressed not to the thing said, but to the thing meant. Moses meant to urge that he was unfit for the mission. Gods reply is, Not unfit, since I will be with thee. I will supply all thy defects, make good all thy shortcomings. My strength is made perfect in weakness.
This shall be a token unto thee.It is in accordance with the Divine economy to give men “tokens, which are future, and appeal to faith only, (Comp. 1Sa. 2:34; 2Ki. 19:27.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
12. The Lord does not deny his servant’s weakness, but promises to reveal through it his strength .
Upon this mountain The bush was probably upon the Sinai mount of the Horeb range, on which Jehovah afterward descended in fire . This (burning bramble) shall be a token Rather, is a token . The verse is often read as if the subsequent success of his mission to Pharaoh, and the consequent worship upon Sinai, were to be regarded as the tokens that he had been sent. Success itself was an obvious token then, but the hesitating Moses wants a present sign. The flaming bramble shrub was the token that he would bring Israel to the flaming bramble mount.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Exo 3:12. This shall be a token, &c. This part of the verse would be more properly rendered thus: and this (namely, the vision) is, or shall be (for there is no verb in the Hebrew) a sign unto thee, that I have sent thee: and when thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain. It is certain, that it could be no present sign of encouragement to Moses, to be told, that hereafter they should worship God upon this mountain, as our translation leads us to understand it; while it is equally certain, that this appearance of God was the strongest encouragement possible.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
DISCOURSE: 64
GODS PRESENCE WITH HIS PEOPLE
Exo 3:12. And he said, Certainly I will be with thee.
THERE is nothing more amiable in the character of a saint than true and genuine humility. Without that virtue, all graces are defective, and all attainments worthless in the sight of God. But it is no uncommon thing to see other dispositions assuming the garb of humility, and claiming an excellence which they do not possess. The Prophet Jeremiah, when called to the prophetic office, declined it under an idea that he was a child, and unable to speak. But God said to him, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I shall command thee thou shalt speak [Note: Jer 1:4-7.]. His pretended insufficiency for the work was, in reality, no other than a cover for his dread of the dangers to which it would expose him: and therefore God, in order to remove the impediment, replied, Be not afraid of their faces; for I am with thee, to deliver thee [Note: Jer 1:8.]. Thus Moses, when God said to him, Come now, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt; replied, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt [Note: Exo 3:10-11.] ? This was specious enough, and had the semblance of true humility; but it was only a pretext, and a cover to his fears and unbelief. He had, forty years before, exerted himself with great vigour in behalf of that people, and had even slain an Egyptian who was contending with them: but they had thrust him from them, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? and Pharaoh had sought his life, as forfeited to the laws of the land. Now, therefore, he was afraid that the people would shew the same disregard of his efforts, and that his slaughter of the Egyptian would be visited with the punishment which the laws of the land denounced against him. This indeed, did not at first sight appear to be his real motive: but his numerous refusals of the office delegated to him, repeated as they were under a variety of pretexts, clearly discovered at last what was in his heart, and justly excited the displeasure of God against him [Note: Exo 4:13-14; Exo 4:19.]. But the very first answer of God should have been quite sufficient to remove every apprehension. God said to him, Certainly I will be with thee: and, having that assurance, he should without hesitation have gone forth to his destined labours.
Let us consider,
I.
The extent of the promise
As relating to him, it comprehended all that he could wish
[True, his work was arduous, and to unassisted man impracticable: but, if God was with him, what could he have to fear? He would be guided by a wisdom that could not err, and he aided by a power which could not be overcome. With such an assurance, what had he to do with discouragements? Could Pharaoh hurt him, whilst he was under such protection; or the Israelites withstand his solicitations, when enforced by such powerful energy on their minds? Every difficulty should have vanished from his mind; and he should have leaped for joy at the prospect of effecting so great and good a work.]
But it relates to us also, and pledges God to an equal extent in our behalf
[A similar promise was given to Joshua, on an occasion precisely similar [Note: Jos 1:5.]: and that is quoted by the Apostle Paul as applicable to every true believer: God hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee: so that WE may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me [Note: Heb 13:5-6.]. Here the very promise made to Moses, is renewed to Joshua, and declared to belong to us also. Whatever difficulties, therefore, we may have to encounter in the discharge of our duty to God, we need not fear: his promised presence shall be with us in our efforts, and his almighty power secure to us a successful issue.]
The more minute consideration of the subject will fall under the next head of my discourse, whilst I endeavour to shew,
II.
The encouragement it affords to us
We may properly view it, in the first place, as applicable to Ministers
[Ministers have, if I may so speak, the very same office delegated to them as was assigned to Moses: they are sent to bring men out of spiritual thraldom, and to deliver them from a bondage far more terrible than that of Egypt. The power that opposes them is fax stronger than that of Pharaoh; and the unhappy captives are in love with their chains: they are themselves as averse to leave their hard taskmaster, as he is to lose their services. Were we to go in our own strength, we should soon desert our post; as Moses did, when, in reliance on his own arm, he prematurely proffered to the people his assistance. But with the promise of Gods presence, a promise specifically given to us by our Divine Master for our encouragement [Note: Mat 28:18.], we go forth with confidence; and to every obstacle that is in our way, we say, Who art thou, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain [Note: Zec 4:7.]. We know that the persons to whom we speak are as incapable of hearing our words, as dry bones scattered upon the face of the earth: yet do we not despond, or even doubt the efficacy of our ministrations for those to whom we are sent: and, in dependence on this word, we hope and believe, that the word which we speak shall prove the power of God to the salvation of those who hear it. We are not unmindful of the question put by the Apostle, Who is sufficient for these things? but, if the rod of Moses wrought effectually in his hand for the deliverance of Israel, we have no fear but that the word of God, by whomsoever administered, shall be alike effectual for all the ends for which it is sent. It is the rod of Gods strength; and not all the powers of darkness shall be able to withstand it.]
But it is also applicable to Gods people generally throughout the world
[To this extent, as we have before observed, St. Paul applies it: and every believer needs it for his support. Every one is engaged in a great work, for which no finite power is sufficient: every one, therefore, needs to be encouraged with an assurance, that God will be with him in all his endeavours to perform it, and will secure to him the desired success. Believer, hast thou much to do for God, even so much as thou couldest have no hope of effecting without the arm of Omnipotence exerted in thy behalf? Hear what God has said for thine encouragement: Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness [Note: Isa 41:10.]. See here, how God, in every successive part of these promises, accommodates himself to thy weakness and thy fears. When he says, I am with thee, a thought may perhaps arise, that he will be with thee only to witness thy defeat: he therefore adds, I will be thy God. Does a sense of thy weakness press upon thee? he further says, I will strengthen thee. Art thou still discouraged, because the work is left to thee? he adds, I will help thee. Art thou still dejected, through an apprehension of thy failure at last? he takes the whole responsibility on himself, and declares, for thy comfort, I will altogether uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. This may serve to shew (what we forbore to specify under the former head) the extent to which this promise goes, in relation to every thing which our necessities may require.
Again; Hast thou also much to suffer for God in thy Christian course? Doubtless thou must have some cross to bear, else thou couldest not be conformed fully to thy Saviours image. But, whether thy trials be more or less severe, the promise in my text secures to thee an effectual help, and a sure deliverance. For thus saith the Lord: When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee: for I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour [Note: Isa 43:2-3.]. Here again the extent of the promise clearly appears, and its perfect sufficiency for every trial to which thou canst be exposed.
Is there yet a lurking apprehension that in the extremity of death thy heart will fail? At this season, also, shall the presence of thy God afford thee effectual support: Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me [Note: Psa 23:4.]. Now, though the valley of this shadow of death may comprehend the whole of the present life as beset with snares and difficulties, yet it must include the closing scenes of life, as well as those that have preceded it; and, consequently, when our flesh and heart fail, we may be assured that God will be the strength of our heart, and our portion for ever [Note: Psa 73:26.].]
Learn from hence
1.
To undertake nothing but in dependence on God
[When God vouchsafed his assistance to Israel, no man could stand before them: but when they went up against the Canaanites in dependence on an arm of flesh, they were put to flight and slain [Note: Num 14:43-45.]. So it will be with us, if we presume to engage in any thing without first asking counsel, and imploring help, from him. God is jealous of his own honour: and if we place our reliance on any thing but him, we must expect a curse, and not a blessing, on all our labours [Note: Jer 17:5-6.].]
2.
To shrink from nothing to which he calls us
[If Moses was forbidden to shrink from the duties imposed on him, what shall we not willingly and confidently undertake for God? We must not contemplate human means, when the path of duty is clear; but must expect him to perfect his own strength in our weakness. With him it is alike easy to save by many or by few: nor need we doubt a moment, but that through Christ strengthening us we can do all things. If God be for us, who can be against us?]
3.
To despair of nothing which we undertake at his command
[We may be in the path of duty, and yet find many difficulties, even such as may appear utterly insuperable. Moses himself was so discouraged by his want of success, that he complained of God as having disappointed and deceived him. But he succeeded at last: and the very difficulties which had discouraged him served but the more to illustrate the power and grace of God. So may we find it for a season: but we should bear in mind, that his word, which he has pledged to us, is immutable, and that his counsel shall stand, though earth and hell should combine to defeat it. Let us then commit our every way to him; and, with a holy confidence, advance, strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
So said the Lord Jesus to his ministering servants, Mat 28:20 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
“Handfuls of Purpose”
For All Gleaners
“Certainly I will be with thee.” Exo 3:12 .
The thoughts which arise in connection with this inspiring assurance are such as ought to touch our life at every point. God is the unchanging One. As he had been with Moses, so he promised to be with Joshua; and so from age to age he is the inspiration and strength of his moral creatures. Take this assurance as applying to the whole service of sanctified life, and it entitles us to draw four practical inferences: I. “Certainly I will be with thee.” Then man is servant, not master. He should know his place, or he can never keep it. As servant, he should (1) constantly consult his Master; (2) constantly speak in the name of his Master; and (3) constantly be jealous of the honour of his Master. II. “Certainly I will be with thee.” Then the work must succeed. What is the guarantee of success? (1) Not human cleverness; ministers may be clever, so may churches, etc.; we may have learned sermons, able sermons, ingenious sermons, etc.; (2) not skilful organisation. Cards, bazaars, registers, circulars, etc., all useless as ends. (3) The word of the Lord is the guarantee of success. “The mouth of the Lord hath spoken it”; “My word shall not return unto me void.” III. “Certainly I will be with thee.” Then the servant is to be received for the Master’s sake. “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.” The true minister carries a blessing with him. The Romans were to receive Phebe in the Lord. What a lesson to ministers they are representatives of God! IV. “Certainly I will be with thee.” Then there need be no lack of grace or power. “If any man lack wisdom,” etc. “Lo, I am with you alway,” etc. “Ye have not, because ye ask not, or because ye ask amiss.” The servants may take counsel of one another, but not to the interruption of continuous and trustful prayer to the Master. (l) God is with his servants for their comfort; (2) for their guidance; (3) for their safety.
Application Notice (1) the individuality of the promise, “I will be with thee” with the one man; (2) the emphasis of the promise ” Certainly.” Who is with us in our life-ministry?
Fuente: The People’s Bible by Joseph Parker
Exo 3:12 And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this [shall be] a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.
Ver. 12. This shall be a token unto thee. ] So he had a double sign, for his fuller and further corn firmation: that of the burning bush, for the present; this of serving God at Horeb, for the future.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
I will be with thee. Here the meaning of name “Jehovah” is anticipated.
God. Hebrew. eth ha ‘Elohim, very emphatic. God Himself = the Triune God. Compare “deliver”, Exo 3:8.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Certainly: Exo 4:12, Exo 4:15, Gen 15:1, Gen 31:3, Deu 31:23, Jos 1:5, Isa 41:10, Isa 43:2, Mat 28:20, Mar 16:20, Act 11:21, Rom 8:31, Heb 13:5
token: Exo 4:1-9, Gen 15:8, Jdg 6:17, Jdg 6:21, Jdg 6:36-40, Jdg 7:11, Jdg 7:13, Jdg 7:14, Psa 86:17, Isa 7:14, Isa 37:30, Jer 43:9, Jer 43:10, Jer 51:63, Jer 51:64
ye shall: Exo 19:1 – Exo 40:38, Lev 1:1 – Lev 27:34, Num 1:1 – Num 10:36
Reciprocal: Gen 28:15 – I am Exo 3:18 – that we may Exo 7:16 – serve Exo 8:1 – Let my Exo 8:27 – as he shall Exo 18:5 – General Exo 18:19 – God shall Exo 19:2 – camped Num 16:28 – Hereby Jdg 2:18 – then the Lord Jdg 6:12 – The Lord Jdg 6:16 – General 1Ki 1:37 – As the 1Ki 3:9 – who is able 2Ki 19:29 – a sign 2Ch 1:1 – the Lord 2Ch 17:3 – the Lord Jer 1:8 – for I am Jer 1:17 – be not Amo 5:14 – and so Hag 2:4 – for Luk 2:12 – General Act 7:7 – and serve 2Co 12:9 – My grace
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Exo 3:12. Certainly I will be with thee Those that are weak in themselves, yet may do wonders, being strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Gods presence puts wisdom and strength into the weak and foolish, and is enough to answer all objections.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
3:12 And he said, {m} Certainly I will be with thee; and this [shall be] a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.
(m) Neither fear your own weakness, or Pharaoh’s tyranny.