And I will take you to myself for my people, I will be your God: and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from the work-prison of the Egyptians:
וְלָקַחְתִּ֨י אֶתְכֶ֥ם לִי֙ לְעָ֔ם וְהָיִ֥יתִי לָכֶ֖ם לֵֽאלֹהִ֑ים וִֽידַעְתֶּ֗ם כִּ֣י אֲנִ֤י יְהוָה֙ אֱלֹ֣הֵיכֶ֔ם הַמּוֹצִ֣יא אֶתְכֶ֔ם מִתַּ֖חַת סִבְל֥וֹת מִצְרָֽיִם׃
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse
When the adversary seeks to divert us and distances us from every virtuous aspiration, he employs all possible tactics to discourage our goodwill. In contrast, the law of God redirects us towards righteous desires, revealing the fortitude of Him who surrounds us with His light. This divine presence inspires us to act with confidence rooted in the most glorious hope, fortifies us by faith, and ultimately leads us to God as our genuine Savior and Redeemer.
When the Egyptians subjected the Israelites to harsh work, compelling them to fashion bricks from mud, the Israelites cried out to the Lord, seeking His compassion. In response, the Lord spoke to Moses, affirming, "I have heard the cries of the Israelites, oppressed by the Egyptians, and I have not forgotten My covenant. Go tell the Israelites, 'I am the Lord. I will liberate you from the burdens of Egypt, rescue you from their oppression, and save you with a mighty hand and great judgments. I will accept you as My people, and I will be your God. You will know that I am the Lord your God who has delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians, and I will lead you to the land I promised'” (Ex. 6:5-8).
Through this, the Jewish people turned toil into promise; those who labored with humble clay found their hope in the everlasting kingdom. Similarly, in the Gospel, the Lord showed compassion for the futile efforts of the Gentiles, who constructed barriers of superstitious clay. Distracted by physical pleasures, they failed to fortify themselves with a robust faith. It was as if some among them had heeded the call of the Son of God, inviting, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28-29).
It is evident once more that the Lord’s covenant had previously been established with specific individuals—namely, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Now, the Lord forms a covenant with the entire nation. Moses serves merely as the intermediary between God and the people; however, the promises extend beyond him and his descendants to encompass the whole Israelite community. The lineage of Moses remains entirely unremarkable.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS