Moses, sad and disappointed, went to God again, to ask why the people’s troubles were worse, and why He had sent him to the people and to Pharaoh, because the people were not set free, and Pharaoh was more cruel than ever. God’s answer in verses 1-8 was a gracious one; He said nothing to reprove or rebuke Moses, because of his almost fault-finding words. Instead He said,
“Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh,” with a “strong hand.” Pharaoh would even drive the children of Israel out of Egypt.
In chapter 3 God had given His name as the “I AM.” the all-powerful One, but in this chapter is another name, JEHOVAH, the name of One Who was interested in and cared for His people.
Then He spoke of His covenant to give them the land of Canaan, and how He would redeem them with a “stretched out arm, and with great judgments.” They, as redeemed ones, were to be His people, and He their God. Again He promised them the land, and at the end— “I am the Lord” (verse 8) stands as a seal that God had spoken, and what He had said He would do. They had only to believe God, and He would deliver them.
But the children of Israel did not listen to Moses when he came to tell them of the new message from God; they were so sad because of Pharaoh’s cruelty to them, through the taskmasters.
The latter part chapter 6 shows us God counting up for the last time His people in Egypt, all the heads of the families being named. They were still in the enemy’s country, and Satan might say, “They are mine,” but God had claimed them as His, and in spite of all Satan could do, the children of Israel would soon be on the march to Canaan.