Meaning of Exodus 6:4

Exodus 6:4 reiterates God's foundational promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, emphasizing His faithfulness in establishing a covenant to grant them the land of Canaan. This verse is situated within the narrative of God's response to Moses' despair and his questioning of God's intentions, given the Israelites' continued oppression in Egypt. Moses had just expressed his frustration, feeling that God's earlier promises seemed to have worsened their situation. In this context, God reminds Moses of the enduring nature of His covenant, underscoring that His plans are not thwarted by human circumstances or perceived setbacks. The phrase "where they resided as foreigners" highlights the precarious and temporary status of the patriarchs and their descendants in Canaan, underscoring that the land was not yet fully possessed, but was a promised inheritance, foreshadowing a future fulfillment.

Context and Background

This verse appears in the immediate aftermath of Moses' confrontation with Pharaoh, which resulted in increased hardship for the Israelites. Moses, feeling overwhelmed and perhaps questioning God's power or commitment, voices his doubt to the Lord in Exodus 5:22-23: "O Lord, why have you brought trouble upon this people? Is this the reason you sent me? For ever since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought disaster on this people, and you have not rescued them at all!" Exodus 6:1-3 then records God's direct response, beginning with "Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh." Exodus 6:4 is part of this divine reassurance, grounding the assurance of future action in the established, unbreakable covenant. The covenant itself was first made with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3, 15:1-21, 17:1-27), then reiterated to Isaac (Genesis 26:2-5) and Jacob (Genesis 28:10-15). The Israelites' presence as "foreigners" in Canaan is a crucial detail, indicating that the promised inheritance was yet to be fully realized, requiring God's intervention.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Faithfulness and Covenant: The primary message is God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. Despite the present suffering and apparent delay, God's word is sure.
• Sovereignty and Purpose: God's actions, even those that seem to lead to increased hardship, are part of a larger, sovereign plan that ultimately leads to fulfillment.
• Inheritance and Promise: The land of Canaan is presented as a divinely given inheritance, a tangible manifestation of God's blessing and faithfulness.
• The Nature of Faith: The verse implicitly calls for faith in God's promises, even when circumstances appear contrary.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, Exodus 6:4 speaks to the enduring nature of God's promises to His people, both collectively and individually. It reminds believers that God's covenant faithfulness is the bedrock of their relationship with Him. When faced with trials, doubts, or perceived delays in God's timing, this verse encourages reliance on His established promises rather than on immediate circumstances. The concept of the land of Canaan as a promised inheritance can be seen as a type or foreshadowing of the spiritual inheritance believers have in Christ, including eternal life and the fullness of God's kingdom. The "foreigner" status of the patriarchs in Canaan can also parallel the believer's identity as a sojourner or pilgrim in this world, with our true citizenship and ultimate inheritance being in heaven.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This verse is a pivotal point in the Exodus narrative, serving as a bridge between the initial call of Moses and the subsequent plagues and deliverance. It connects the patriarchal era, marked by the promises of land and descendants, to the Mosaic era, where God begins to fulfill those promises through redemption from slavery. The covenant established with the patriarchs is the foundation upon which the Mosaic covenant at Sinai will be built, and ultimately, it points forward to the New Covenant in Jesus Christ, which fulfills and expands upon the promises made to Abraham. The theme of God giving land to His people is a recurring motif throughout the Old Testament and finds its ultimate spiritual fulfillment in the heavenly inheritance promised to believers in the New Testament.

Analogies

An analogy for this verse could be a parent making a solemn promise to a child about a significant future gift, such as a house or a substantial inheritance. The child might experience difficult times or setbacks before the inheritance is fully received. However, the parent's unwavering commitment and the legal framework of the promise (the covenant) ensure that the gift will eventually be delivered. The child's faith is tested during the waiting period, but the parent's faithfulness is the ultimate assurance. Similarly, God's covenant is a divine assurance that His promises, though they may involve a waiting period and trials, will be fulfilled.

Relation to Other Verses

• Genesis 12:1-3: This is the initial promise of land and descendants to Abraham, which Exodus 6:4 directly references. "The Lord had said to Abram, 'Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.'"
• Genesis 15:18-21: This passage details God's formal covenant with Abraham, specifically mentioning the land from the river of Egypt to the great river Euphrates.
• Hebrews 11:9: The New Testament author highlights the faith of Abraham and his descendants who lived as foreigners in the promised land, awaiting its fulfillment. "By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise."
• Romans 4:13: This verse connects the promise of land to Abraham and his descendants to the inheritance of the world through righteousness by faith. "For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his offspring through the law, but through the righteousness of faith."