Exo 4:22 | NETfull | STEP | You must say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord , “Israel is my son, my firstborn,

Exodus 4:22

22 You must say ^{▼▼ The sequence of the instruction from God uses the perfect tense with vav (ו), following the preceding imperfects.} to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says ^{▼▼ The instantaneous use of the perfect tense fits well with the prophetic announcement of what Yahweh said or says. It shows that the words given to the prophet are still binding.} the Lord, “Israel is my son, my firstborn, ^{▼▼ The metaphor uses the word “son” in its connotation of a political dependent, as it was used in ancient documents to describe what was intended to be a loyal relationship with well-known privileges and responsibilities, like that between a good father and son. The word can mean a literal son, a descendant, a chosen king (and so, the Messiah), a disciple (in Proverbs), and here, a nation subject to God. If the people of Israel were God’s “son,” then they should serve him and not Pharaoh. Malachi reminds people that the Law said “a son honors his father,” and so God asked, “If I am a father, where is my honor?” (Mal 1:6).}