What does Exodus 3:8 mean?
Speaking to Moses from a bush burning with miraculous fire, God promises two actions in this verse. First, He has "come down" to deliver the nation of Israel from the Egyptians. The idea of "coming down" likely connects with the plagues He would later use against the Egyptians. This is a statement evoking the image of a powerful king coming off of His throne in order to wield His power. Second, God will "bring them up" from Egypt into a new land. The land God intends to bring Israel into was "up" in the sense of being at a generally higher elevation from sea level, but is also a significant improvement from their state in slavery.This verse is the first to present a description repeated throughout the Torah. It is a good land, a "broad land"—meaning large—it is "flowing with milk and honey," and it was occupied by six other nations at that time. The phrase "milk and honey" refers to a land full of good things, including food for the Israelites. This was in contrast with the desert region of Egypt where milk and honey were difficult commodities to obtain. The six nations mentioned—sometimes listed as seven nations, such as in Deuteronomy 7:1—will frequently be repeated in the Torah. They are condemned for worshipping other gods and living immorally. God would remove these strong nations to provide a land for His people to live holy before Him.