Exodus 3:17

Exo 3:17 And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.

Ver. 17. I have said, I will bring you up.] And now I am come to do it. This is some part of the import of "I am that I am," "the same yesterday, today, and for ever." {Heb 13:8} Ero qui eram, I will be the same to you in my performances that I was to your fathers in my proraises.

A land flowing with milk.] Sumen totius orbis, as one calleth it, where the hard rocks did sweat out oil and honey. {Deu 32:13} See Exo 3:8.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Exo_3:17

A land flowing with milk and honey.

An inferior motive for a religious life

I. Some people are religious because they hope thereby to be saved from affliction. I will bring you out of the affliction of Egypt.

1. They hope to escape the affliction of a bad name.

2. They hope to escape the affliction of a retributive providence.

3. They hope to escape the affliction of moral punishment from God.

II. Other people are religious because they hope thereby to better their condition, and gain greater enjoyment. Unto a land flowing with milk and honey.--

1. Because they imagine religion will free them from slavery.

2. Because they imagine religion will give them an advantage over their enemies.

3. Because they imagine religion will give them rich possession.

III. That while the land flowing with milk and honey may be one motive for a religious life, the superior is love to God and moral freedom (J. S. Exell, M. A.)

The resolution of Divine mercy

1. Awakens instruments to convey its message.

2. Prepares Churches to welcome its tidings.

3. The giving of a new impulse to history. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)

The encouragement God gives to Christian workers

1. Divine aid in the work.

2. Bright hope in their future.

3. Glad success in their toil. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)

A happy residence

1. A land of plenty,

2. A land of beauty.

3. A land of promise.

4. A land of freedom.

5. A land of rest.

6. A land typical of heaven. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)

The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

(17) I have said.—See Exo_3:8. Perhaps there is also a reference to the promise made to Abraham (Gen.XV. 14).

The affliction of Egypt.—Comp. Gen_15:13 · Exo_1:11-12; Exo_3:7.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

17. said] i.e. as often, said mentally = resolved.

bring you up] from the low-lying land of Egypt into the high ground of Canaan. So regularly (cf. Exo_1:10).

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And I have said,.... Within himself, resolved in his own mind, and had declared it to Moses:

I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt: with which they were afflicted in Egypt, and by the Egyptians; this he both purposed and promised to bring them out of: unto the land of the Canaanites, &c. then in the possession of the Canaanites, and others after named; See Gill on Exo 3:8.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Vers. 17, 18. The promises to the elders, and to Moses.

The elders were promised two things:

(1) that they should be brought forth out of the affliction of Egypt, and

(2) that they should be established in a good land, "a land flowing with. milk and honey" Ordinary men men who are, spiritually speaking, backward and undeveloped require to be stirred to action by comparatively low motives. Escape from present suffering and unpleasantness, enjoyment of happiness in the future these are practically the two chief moving powers of human action. Neither of them is a wrong motive; and Moses was instructed to appeal to each by a special promise. So may the preacher rightly do with his congregation, the minister with his flock, the father with his children. As long as men are what they are, appeals to the lower motives cannot be dispensed with at first. Care must, however, be taken that before each one, as he becomes fit for it, higher motives are set such as duty, the love of goodness for goodness" sake, and last, not least the highest motive of all, the love of God, our Creator, Sustainer, Sanctifier, "in whom we live, and move, and have our being." Moses was promised at this point, to stimulate him to action, immediate success. He had doubted whether his people would listen to him, or regard him as anything but a dreamer. He is told, "they shall hearken unto thy voice." A great comfort to every one who feels that he has a mission is the acceptance of it by others. Each man, more or less, misdoubts himself, questions his own ability, sincerity, singleness of heart. The seal of an apostleship is the success of the apostolic efforts. (1Co_9:2) Direct promise of success at the mouth of God was, to one so faithful as Moses, as powerful to cheer, encourage, and sustain, as success itself.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.