Verse: Exodus 3:10
Theme: Divine Commissioning, God’s Call to Partnership, and the Intersection of Human Agency with Divine Purpose
“Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.”
— Exodus 3:10, New King James Version (NKJV)
“So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”
— Exodus 3:10, New International Version (NIV)
“Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring forth my people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt.”
— Exodus 3:10, Revised Standard Version (RSV)
“Therefore, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh so that you may lead My people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.”
— Exodus 3:10, Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
“Now go! I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.”
— Exodus 3:10, New Living Translation (NLT)
Meaning of Exodus 3:10
Here’s where the conversation between God and Moses takes a sharp left turn that changes everything. One moment, Moses is having this incredible encounter with the burning bush, learning about God’s plan to rescue Israel from Egyptian bondage. The next moment, God drops the bombshell that makes Moses’s knees buckle: “You’re going to be the one who does it.”
It’s like being told about an amazing rescue mission and thinking you’re just getting a briefing, only to discover you’re actually being recruited as the field commander. The transition from observer to participant happens so fast it’s almost whiplash-inducing.
Notice how God frames this commission. He doesn’t say “Go figure out how to get Israel out of Egypt” or “Here are some suggestions for approaching Pharaoh.” He says, “I will send you,” and “you may bring My people out.” There’s divine authority behind the mission and divine ownership of the people. Moses isn’t being asked to freelance a rescue operation; he’s being commissioned as God’s official representative.
The specificity is crucial, too. Not just “go help some oppressed people somewhere,” but “go to Pharaoh” and “bring the children of Israel out of Egypt.” God’s assignments come with clear objectives and specific targets. This isn’t a vague calling to “make a difference in the world” but a precise mission with measurable outcomes.
What strikes me most is how God presents this as both command and invitation. “Come now, therefore” has this sense of “step up to the plate,” while “I will send you” carries the weight of divine commissioning. Moses is being invited into partnership with God’s rescue plan, not just ordered around like a cosmic errand boy.
Popular Words of Wisdom from Exodus 3:10
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
— Thomas Edison, Inventor and Businessman
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but action in spite of it.”
— Mark Twain, American Writer
“In war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak.”
— Sun Tzu, Chinese Military Strategist
“God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called.”
— Rick Warren, Pastor and Author
“Victory belongs to the most persevering.”
— Napoleon Bonaparte, French Military Leader
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”
— Martin Luther King Jr., Civil Rights Leader
Explaining the Context of Exodus 3:10
This verse represents the pivotal moment where God transitions from revealing His rescue plan to Moses to actually commissioning Moses as the human instrument of that plan.
The commission comes immediately after God has identified Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, establishing both His authority and His covenant faithfulness.
Moses has just learned about God’s awareness of Israel’s suffering and His intention to deliver them to the promised land, making this commission the logical next step in divine revelation.
This moment establishes the pattern of divine-human partnership that will characterize the entire Exodus narrative, with God providing the power and Moses providing the human agency.
The specific mention of Pharaoh sets up the central conflict of the Exodus story, positioning Moses as God’s representative in direct confrontation with Egyptian power.
Explaining the Key Parts of Exodus 3:10
“Come now, therefore”
This phrase creates urgency and connection, linking God’s commission directly to everything He has just revealed about Israel’s situation and His rescue plan.
The invitation aspect of “come” shows that God is inviting Moses into partnership rather than simply commanding obedience from a distance.
“and I will send you to Pharaoh”
God takes personal responsibility for the mission, making it clear that Moses will go with divine authority and backing rather than on his own initiative.
The specific targeting of Pharaoh shows that this mission requires confronting the highest levels of Egyptian power and authority.
“that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt”
God’s ownership of Israel is emphasized through “My people,” establishing both the authority for the mission and the relationship being defended.
The clear objective “bring them out of Egypt” provides Moses with a specific, measurable goal rather than a vague sense of calling.
Lessons to Learn from Exodus 3:10
1. Divine Calling Often Involves Specific, Challenging Assignments Rather Than General Inspirations
God’s commission to Moses included precise targets (Pharaoh), specific people (the children of Israel), and clear objectives (bring them out of Egypt).
2. God Invites Human Partnership in His Plans Rather Than Working Exclusively Through Supernatural Means
Despite His power to rescue Israel supernaturally, God chose to work through Moses, demonstrating the value He places on human agency and participation.
3. Divine Authority Backs Those Who Accept God’s Commissions
Moses wasn’t sent to Pharaoh on his own credentials but as God’s official representative, with divine authority supporting his mission.
4. God’s Assignments Connect Personal Calling with Broader Divine Purposes
Moses’s individual calling served the larger purpose of fulfilling God’s covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob regarding their descendants.
5. Divine Commissions Often Require Confronting Established Power Structures
Moses was sent specifically to Pharaoh, the most powerful person in the known world, showing that God’s assignments sometimes involve challenging entrenched authority.
Related Bible Verses
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
— Jeremiah 1:5, New International Version (NIV)
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!'”
— Isaiah 6:8, English Standard Version (ESV)
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
— Matthew 28:19, Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
— Acts 1:8, New Century Version (NCV)
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
— Ephesians 2:10, New Living Translation (NLT)
How This Verse Points to Christ
Exodus 3:10 points to Christ through God’s pattern of sending human representatives to accomplish divine rescue missions, which finds its ultimate expression in God sending His Son to rescue humanity.
Moses’s commission to confront Pharaoh and liberate God’s people foreshadows Christ’s mission to confront the powers of sin and death and liberate all who believe in Him.
The divine authority backing Moses’s mission parallels the authority Christ carried as God’s ultimate representative, speaking and acting with full divine backing.
God’s choice to work through human agency rather than purely supernatural means points to the incarnation, where God chose to work through human nature to accomplish salvation.
The specific nature of Moses’s assignment mirrors the specific nature of Christ’s mission, sent to particular people at a particular time for a particular purpose.
The partnership between divine power and human obedience in Moses’s calling foreshadows the perfect unity of divine and human natures in Christ’s person and work.
Closing Reflection
What floors me about this verse is how casually God drops this world-changing assignment on Moses. It’s like being invited to coffee and having your friend mention halfway through that they need you to negotiate world peace next Tuesday.
Moses went from shepherding sheep in the wilderness to being commissioned as God’s ambassador to the most powerful ruler on earth. Talk about a career change that requires some serious adjustment time.
But notice how God doesn’t apologize for the magnitude of the assignment or spend time convincing Moses it’s feasible. He simply states the mission as fact: “I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people out of Egypt.” There’s a quiet confidence in that statement that suggests the outcome is already settled in God’s mind.
The beauty of this commission is how it combines divine authority with human responsibility. Moses isn’t being sent as a puppet or a mindless messenger. He’s being commissioned as a partner in God’s rescue operation, with real decisions to make and genuine leadership responsibilities to carry.
Sometimes I think we overcomplicate God’s calling in our lives. We want elaborate confirmation processes and detailed strategic plans before we move forward. But God’s commission to Moses was pretty straightforward: “Go to Pharaoh. Bring My people out. I’m sending you with my authority.”
The specificity is refreshing, too. Not “go make a difference in the world” or “find your purpose and live your best life.” But “go to this specific person, accomplish this specific objective, represent Me in this specific situation.”
That kind of clarity cuts through all the existential wandering and gets straight to the point: God has work to do in this world, and He’s inviting us to be part of it. The question isn’t whether we’re qualified or ready. The question is whether we’re willing to say yes to the assignment.
Say This Prayer
Almighty God,
Like Moses at the burning bush, we sometimes feel overwhelmed when You reveal the magnitude of what You’re calling us to do. Thank You that Your commissions come with Your authority and backing, not just our own limited resources.
Help us respond with courage when You give us specific assignments that seem beyond our capabilities. Remind us that You don’t send us out alone, but go with us as we step forward in obedience.
Give us clarity about the people You’re sending us to reach and the objectives You want us to accomplish. Help us move beyond vague feelings about making a difference to specific action steps that serve Your purposes.
When our assignments require confronting established power structures or challenging comfortable situations, give us boldness rooted in Your authority rather than our own confidence.
Thank You that You invite us into partnership with Your work in the world rather than accomplishing everything without human participation. Help us see our calling as collaboration with You rather than solo performance for You.
Prepare our hearts and minds for the specific challenges that come with the assignments You’ve given us, and help us trust Your timing for when to move forward.
Through Christ, who perfectly fulfilled His commission, Amen.
Evang. Anabelle Thompson is the founder of Believers Refuge, a Scripture-based resource that helps Christians to find biblical guidance for life’s challenges.
With over 15 years of ministry experience and a decade of dedicated Bible study, she creates content that connects believers with relevant Scripture for their daily struggles.
Her work has reached over 76,000 monthly readers (which is projected to reach 100,000 readers by the end of 2025) seeking practical faith applications, biblical encouragement, and spiritual guidance rooted in God’s Word.
She writes from personal experience, having walked through seasons of waiting, breakthrough, and spiritual growth that inform her teaching.
Evang. Thompson brings 12 years of active ministry and evangelism experience, along with over 10 years of systematic Bible study and theological research.
As a former small group leader and Sunday school teacher, she has published over 200 biblical resources and devotional studies.
She specializes in applying Scripture to everyday life challenges and regularly studies the original Hebrew and Greek texts for a deeper biblical understanding.