Exodus 5-6 Who is this God that I should obey His voice?

Well this is an auspicious start!

“Let my people go!” And what happens? Double the workload. Yup. I kinda imagine Aaron and Moses walking out of Pharaoh’s court:

Aaron: So... uh, that went well, eh?

Moses, being the silent type, just gives him an angry glare and stalks on without a word.

One of the things I wonder most about Scripture is what happened between the lines. In all the spaces that are left wide open. What was Moses feeling at this point? When he asks his question in 5:22 is he angry and accusatory? Sorrowful and depressed? Not even his own people listened to him, and frankly, I find it hard to blame them.

Some old shepherd dude comes back from 40 years of exile and declares himself “The Deliverer” based on what some Disembodied Voice emanating from some Magic Bush told him. And his first attempt at said deliverance is effectively the opposite. This guy is obviously delusional. I mean, the Disembodied Voice doesn't even have a proper name! I AM. What kind of name is that?

Which brings up an interesting aspect of this particular story arc in the Bible. Up to this point it seems that I AM was an unknown entity. He has been dealing with one family that numbered just over 70 people when they entered Egypt. But even they knew very little about Him. I AM had not given a full revelation of Himself at this point in the story. No instructions on how to worship, no commandments, no personality traits of the divine. Just a few simple instructions to some simple people.

For example, remember back when God told Abraham to offer up Issac as a child sacrifice? During that time period, child sacrifice was a common method of worship for the various gods. I'm sure it didn't make Abraham's task any easier, but that request was standard fare for worshiping at the time. Abraham didn't understand enough about God to know that He hated child sacrifice. God hadn't revealed that yet! That part is still to come. The surprising part for Abraham was probably that he didn't kill Issac! 

The Israelites, at this point, don't seem to know much more than Abraham did. God still has to identify Himself as, “The God of your fathers, Abraham, Issac, and Jacob.” Put yourself in their shoes as Moses comes to them claiming to speak for this unknown God. How are we supposed to relate to this unknown God of our forefathers? Is he an angry God? A God of mercy? What does he require from us? Is he powerful enough to take on the gods of our enemies? If so, how do I stay on His good side?

We saw these questions from Moses at the Magic Bush: “Who shall I say is sending me?” We see these questions now from Pharaoh in 5:2, “Who is this I AM that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I do not know this I AM.” Pharaoh's question will not go unanswered.

And so it begins. God is going to reveal Himself in an unprecedented way to humankind. He's going to give them laws, commandments, instructions on how to live, and what He expects from His people. And He is going to deliver the revelation through Moses. As exciting as the Israelites rescue from Egypt is, just as exciting is the emerging revelation of the One True God.

So take some time to reflect and be thankful for this Storybook you hold in your hands. Or read on a screen. Be thankful for the revelation that God has provided for us so that we no longer need to wonder who God is. And be thankful that the One Who Is Like Moses has come and HE IS the full and complete revelation of I AM.