Exodus 8:1 Study Bible: The LORD spoke to Moses, Go in to Pharaoh, and tell him, "This is what the LORD says, 'Let my people go, that they may serve me.

◄ Exodus 8:1 ►

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh and tell him that this is what the LORD says: 'Let My people go, so that they may worship Me.

Study Bible

Then the LORD said to Moses
This phrase indicates direct divine communication, emphasizing the role of Moses as a prophet and leader chosen by God. It reflects the ongoing relationship between God and Moses, where God provides guidance and instructions. This communication underscores the authority of Moses as God's spokesperson.

Go to Pharaoh
Moses is commanded to confront Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, highlighting the boldness required to stand before a powerful monarch. This reflects the historical context of Egypt as a dominant empire and Pharaoh as a figure of immense authority. The confrontation between Moses and Pharaoh is central to the narrative of the Exodus.

and tell him that this is what the LORD says
This phrase establishes the divine authority behind Moses' message. It is not Moses' own words but a direct command from God. This reinforces the concept of prophetic authority, where prophets speak on behalf of God. It also sets the stage for the conflict between God's will and Pharaoh's resistance.

‘Let My people go
This command is central to the Exodus narrative, representing God's demand for the liberation of the Israelites from slavery. It highlights the theme of deliverance and freedom, which is a recurring motif throughout the Bible. The phrase also foreshadows the eventual liberation and journey to the Promised Land.

so that they may worship Me
The purpose of the Israelites' release is not merely freedom but to serve and worship God. This underscores the importance of worship and obedience to God as the ultimate goal of liberation. It connects to the broader biblical theme of covenant, where God's people are called to worship and serve Him. This phrase also prefigures the New Testament understanding of worship in spirit and truth.

Persons / Places / Events

1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who is orchestrating the deliverance of His people from Egyptian bondage.

2. Moses
The chosen leader and prophet of Israel, tasked with delivering God's message to Pharaoh.

3. Pharaoh
The ruler of Egypt, whose heart is hardened against releasing the Israelites.

4. Egypt
The land where the Israelites are enslaved, representing oppression and idolatry.

5. The Israelites
God's chosen people, enslaved in Egypt, longing for freedom to worship Yahweh.

Teaching Points

God's Sovereignty in Deliverance
God initiates the deliverance of His people, demonstrating His power and authority over earthly rulers.

Purpose of Freedom
The primary purpose of Israel's freedom is to worship God, reminding us that our freedom in Christ is for His glory.

Obedience to God's Command
Moses' role emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commands, even in the face of opposition.

Worship as a Central Theme
Worship is central to our relationship with God, and our lives should reflect a commitment to worship Him in all we do.

God's Faithfulness to His Promises
God's command to Pharaoh is a step in fulfilling His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, showing His faithfulness across generations.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the command "Let My people go, so that they may worship Me" reflect God's priorities for His people?

2. In what ways can we see God's sovereignty at work in our own lives, similar to His actions in Exodus 8:1?

3. How does the concept of worship in Exodus 8:1 connect to the New Testament teachings on worship?

4. What are some modern-day "Pharaohs" or obstacles that prevent us from fully worshiping God, and how can we overcome them?

5. How can we apply the principle of obedience seen in Moses' actions to our daily walk with God?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Exodus 3:12
God promises Moses that the Israelites will worship Him on this mountain, highlighting the purpose of their deliverance.

John 4:23-24
Jesus speaks of true worshipers who will worship the Father in spirit and truth, connecting to the purpose of Israel's release.

Romans 12:1
Paul urges believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, which is their true and proper worship, echoing the call to worship in Exodus.

Hebrews 12:28-29
Encourages believers to worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, reflecting the call to worship in Exodus.

Psalm 95:6-7
A call to worship and bow down before the LORD, our Maker, which aligns with the purpose of Israel's deliverance.

Sermons

Lessons	G. Hughes, B. D.	Exodus 8:1-14
Superstitions Respecting Frogs	T. S. Millington.	Exodus 8:1-14
The Folly of Delaying Till Tomorrow		Exodus 8:1-14
The Plague of Frogs	J. S. Exell, M. A.	Exodus 8:1-14
The Procession of Frogs	A. McAuslane, D. D.	Exodus 8:1-14
To-Morrow	G. A. Sowter, M. A.	Exodus 8:1-14
The Seared Plague: the Frogs	D. Young	Exodus 8:1-15
The Plague of Frogs	J. Orr	Exodus 8:1-16
Three Plagues - Frogs, Lice, Flies	J. Orr	Exodus 8:1-32

People

Aaron, Egyptians, Moses, Pharaoh

Places

Egypt, Goshen, Nile River

Topics

Hast, Pharaoh, Says, Serve, Spake, Spoke, Thus, Worship

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Exodus 8:1

7756 preaching, content
8345 servanthood, and worship

Exodus 8:1-4

5435 ovens
8833 threats

Library

Mary, Future Mother of Jesus, visits Elisabeth, Future Mother of John the Baptist.
(in the Hill Country of Judæa, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke I. 39-56. ^c 39 And Mary arose in these days [within a week or two after the angel appeared to her] and went into the hill country [the district of Judah lying south of Jerusalem, of which the city of Hebron was the center] with haste [she fled to those whom God had inspired, so that they could understand her condition and know her innocence--to those who were as Joseph needed to be inspired, that he might understand--Matt. i. 18-25], into a city …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Blasphemous Accusations of the Jews.
(Galilee.) ^A Matt. XII. 22-37; ^B Mark III. 19-30; ^C Luke XI. 14-23. ^b 19 And he cometh into a house. [Whose house is not stated.] 20 And the multitude cometh together again [as on a previous occasion--Mark ii. 1], so that they could not so much as eat bread. [They could not sit down to a regular meal. A wonderful picture of the intense importunity of people and the corresponding eagerness of Jesus, who was as willing to do as they were to have done.] 21 And when his friends heard it, they went …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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