Exodus 6:10–13—Was Moses called by God in Egypt or in Midian?

Problem: In Exodus 3:10, God revealed Himself to Moses and commissioned him to lead Israel out of Egypt (cf. 4:19). However, Exodus 6:10–11 declares that Moses was in the Desert of Midian when God told him to go to Pharaoh and ask for Israel’s release.

Solution: Moses was commissioned in Exodus 3–4, but because of Pharaoh’s rejection (in chap. 5), combined with Moses’ initial reluctance to God (cf. 4:1, 10), it was necessary for God to encourage Moses and reconfirm his call in Exodus 6.

This excerpt is from When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties (Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1992). © 2014 Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Click here to purchase this book.