Bible Commentary

Exodus 3:11-17

The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 3:11-17

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Hindrances to service and how God removes them.

1. THE HINDRANCE FOUND IN THE SENSE OF OUR OWN WEAKNESS (, ).

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 call for service is met on every hand by the cry, "Who am I that I should go?"

2. How God meets this sense of weakness.

II. THE HINDRANCE FOUND IN THE SENSE OF OUR IGNORANCE ().

1. His own thought of God was dim. How then could he carry conviction to the hearts of the people? The same lack of clear, living thought of God keeps tongues tied to-day.

2. How it may be removed.

Recommended reading

More for Exodus 3:11-17

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 3:1-22Exodus 3:1-22 · The Pulpit CommentaryTHE CALL AND MISSION OF MOSES. EXPOSITIONThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 3:1-22Exodus 3:1-22 · The Pulpit CommentaryTHE MISSION OF MOSES. After forty years of monotonous pastoral life, affording abundant opportunity for meditation, and for spiritual communion with God, and when he had attained to the great age of eighty years, and th…The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 3:7-11Exodus 3:7-11 · The Pulpit CommentaryGod's sympathy with the oppressed. I. GOD IS EVER IN SYMPATHY WITH THE OPPRESSED, AND AGAINST THEIR OPPRESSORS (Exodus 3:7, Exodus 3:9). This is now, thanks to the Bible, made as certain to us as any truth can be. God's…The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 3:10-12Exodus 3:10-12 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe first difficulty: Who am I? Divine promises are not long kept separated from human duty. Scarcely has God presented to Moses this welcome, almost dazzling prospect for Israel, when there breaks upon his ear an annou…The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 3:10-12Exodus 3:10-12 · The Pulpit CommentaryInsufficiency. A very different Moses this from the hero who was formerly so ready, even without a call, to undertake the work of Israel's deliverance. Probably failure in that first attempt led him to doubt whether he…Matthew Henry on Exodus 3:11-15Exodus 3:11-15 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryFormerly Moses thought himself able to deliver Israel, and set himself to the work too hastily. Now, when the fittest person on earth for it, he knows his own weakness. This was the effect of more knowledge of God and o…
commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 3:1-22THE MISSION OF MOSES. After forty years of monotonous pastoral life, affording abundant opportunity for meditation, and for spiritual communion with God, and when he had attained to the great age of eighty years, and th…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 3:1-22THE CALL AND MISSION OF MOSES. EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 3:7-11God's sympathy with the oppressed. I. GOD IS EVER IN SYMPATHY WITH THE OPPRESSED, AND AGAINST THEIR OPPRESSORS (Exodus 3:7, Exodus 3:9). This is now, thanks to the Bible, made as certain to us as any truth can be. God's…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 3:10-12The first difficulty: Who am I? Divine promises are not long kept separated from human duty. Scarcely has God presented to Moses this welcome, almost dazzling prospect for Israel, when there breaks upon his ear an annou…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 3:10-12Insufficiency. A very different Moses this from the hero who was formerly so ready, even without a call, to undertake the work of Israel's deliverance. Probably failure in that first attempt led him to doubt whether he…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryMatthew Henry on Exodus 3:11-15Formerly Moses thought himself able to deliver Israel, and set himself to the work too hastily. Now, when the fittest person on earth for it, he knows his own weakness. This was the effect of more knowledge of God and o…Matthew HenrycommentaryInstructions Given to Moses. (b. c. 1491.)INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN TO MOSES. (B. C. 1491.) God, having spoken to Moses, allows him also a liberty of speech, which he here improves; and, I. He objects his own insufficiency for the service he was called to (Exodus 3:11…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 3:11-12Moses' 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. Jeremia…Joseph S. Exell and contributors