Study Desk

Then Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages." So the woman took the child and nursed him.

They said, "An Egyptian saved us from the shepherds, and what is more, he even drew water for us and watered the flock."

Then she gave birth to a son, and he named him Gershom, for he said, "I have been a stranger in a foreign land."

Now it came about in the course of those many days that the king of Egypt died. And the sons of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry for help because of their bondage ascended to God.

Then He said, "Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."

And He said, "I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

And the LORD said, "I have certainly seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their outcry because of their taskmasters, for I am aware of their sufferings.

God furthermore said to Moses, "This is what you shall say to the sons of Israel: 'The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.' This is My name forever, and this is the name for all generations to use to call upon Me.

"But every woman shall ask her neighbor and the woman who lives in her house for articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing; and you will put them on your sons and daughters. So you will plunder the Egyptians."

Then Moses said, "What if they will not believe me or listen to what I say? For they may say, 'The LORD has not appeared to you.'"

Then Moses said to the LORD, "Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue."

"He shall speak for you to the people; and he will be as a mouth for you and you will be as God to him.

Now the LORD said to Moses in Midian, "Go back to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life are dead."

"You are no longer to give the people straw to make bricks as previously; have them go and gather straw for themselves.

"But you shall impose on them the quota of bricks which they were making before; you are not to reduce any of it. Because they are lazy, for that reason they cry out, 'Let us go and sacrifice to our God.'

'You go, get straw for yourselves wherever you can find it; but none of your labor will be reduced.'"

So the people scattered through all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw.

But he said, "You are lazy, very lazy; for that reason you say, 'Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.'

"So go now and work; for you will be given no straw, but you must deliver the quota of bricks."

When they left Pharaoh's presence, they met Moses and Aaron as they were waiting for them.