Mensa Otabil - God's Message to His People (10/07/2025)
Exodus chapter 6, verse 6: Therefore say to the children of Israel, «I am the Lord. I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. I will rescue you from their bondage. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.»
Now the word «therefore» is very important in this verse because it means «for this reason.» For what reason? God has said something in the past, and now He says, «Because of what I’ve said in the past about Myself, I’m now sending you with a message to the children of Israel.» I want you to bear in mind that in chapter 5, Moses had gone to Pharaoh with a demand for the people to be made free. Pharaoh had called the leaders of Israel and put burdens on them. The people had gone to Moses complaining; Moses has gone to God.
Now God is answering all these questions. So He says, «Now I’ve spoken to you; now this is what you take to the children of Israel.» In answering Israel and their complaints, first tell them what I’ve told you: «I am the Lord.» This is a direct quote from God to Israel, relayed by Moses-it’s a dictation. Moses is supposed to go and relay to Israel, «I am the Lord.» This is God’s self-introduction to Israel. «I am the Lord» is the same declaration He made about Moses, now directed to the children of Israel. «I rule over everything.»
Secondly, He says, «I will bring you out.» God says, «I’m going to take you out.» Just know that I am the Lord, and I’m going to bring you out. To «bring out» means to remove from one place to another. God says, «I’m going to remove you from the burdens you are carrying now into a different place.» So God is going to remove the burden; that’s the first point: «I’m going to bring you out.»
Secondly, He says, «I will rescue you.» «I will rescue you» means «I will free you from harm and from punishment.» To rescue someone is to take them out from a dangerous condition. You are in danger, you are in pain, you are in harm; I will rescue you.
Fourthly, God says, «I will redeem you.» This is the big one. «I will bring you out from slavery» because redemption has a direct relationship to slavery. A slave had to be redeemed before they became free, and in Egypt, there was no redemption for a Jewish slave. If you were a slave, you couldn’t be redeemed. God says, «Although Egypt does not have a way to redeem slaves, I will redeem you. I will set you free despite the rules.» There is no law, there is no avenue for that to happen, but it’s going to happen.
That’s the mighty God we serve. Sometimes, when there is no avenue for something to happen, God will still make it happen. He can go around the situation and create your deliverance, create your redemption, and create your rescue. He says to Moses, «Go and say these words to the people who complained to you, who heard the words of Pharaoh and were discouraged. Now they must hear the words of their Lord.»
I believe God is saying the same words to us today. Maybe you’ve heard things that have made you sad and heartbroken. God says, «I am the Lord. I am the Lord. The problem is not the Lord; I am the Lord. I will bring you out. I will rescue you. I will redeem you.» If the owner of the universe tells you those words, you better pick yourself up, trust in Him, and see His salvation, which He is bringing to you speedily and surely. And it’s coming.
Let’s pray. Say with me, «Heavenly Father, my trust is in You. I know that You will do what You have promised to do in my life. In Jesus' name, amen.» Amen. God will do it; He is the Lord. I am Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.