Exodus 6:9 Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor.
One tactic of harsh leaders is harsh labor. I think about the labor camps during WWII and now in our current time in communist countries across the globe. People enter these camps never to be heard from again. Harsh labor has a way of crushing opposition. Work them to death!
It can be very difficult to hear good news when there is great suffering. The suffering gets in the way of hearing, not the physical reception and interpretation of sound waves, but the acceptance and corresponding reaction to the good news. An uplifting of the spirit is difficult when the physical side of life is challenging.
We all know this to be true if we have suffered physically during our lifetimes. When we are hurting physically, really hurting, it is hard to see the future, let alone rejoice in its hopes. When pain is that present, it dampens our spirits, not just our bodies.
Our text tells us about a moment in Israel’s history when their suffering under the harsh hands of the Egyptians prevented them form haring the hope that Moses was bringing. They were so stuck in the day to day gathering of straw to make bricks that they couldn’t take their eyes off that ball. They had to stay focused or they would fall short of their quota for bricks and suffer the consequences the next day.
None of us does well when there is a threat hanging over our heads. We all like freedom to make decisions without pressure. So when pressure is present in the extreme, and our ability to make choices is curtailed, it become increasingly difficult to get out of that downward loop. We get stuck!
The LORD has shown up to Moses and has promised deliverance from this Egyptian bondage. But the path out of bondage goes through some additional pressure. Pharaoh isn’t making it easy for the Israelites to leave. And Moses stands at the hinge point. Everything about the deliverance goes through Moses.
So what happens if Moses fails? How would that affect the outcome? We such a moment in our text. He has brought them good news. They will be delivered from their current labor, but the people just can’t hear it. They can’t get past their pain to hear the hope being offered.
Over the next few days and weeks, the LORD intervenes in the lives of both Egyptian and Israelite. He is seen as powerful. His Name is lifted up. He is seen as the only true God.
But even when this happens, the Israelites are slow to respond in faith. And even as they walk through on dry ground, they almost immediately fall back rather than stepping forward. Their complaining and grumbling almost scuttles the mission for them. And for all but two, they never fully enter the promise.
I wonder how many times our pain keeps us from seeing and experiencing the fullness that the LORD has for us? We go along for the ride, but we never full embrace the completeness that is offered. We are present, but our hearts aren’t in it.
The LORD wants us fully in. He doesn’t want us dreaming about the “good ole days” when things were so perfect. He wants us to have an accurate assessment of the past and of the future hope we have in Christ.
One more thing to consider. There are probably people in your life right now who are experiencing pain of many types. We need to be understanding with them as we try to walk out our faith. They might not be able to hear the hope we offer. Be patient and steadfast. Hope wins!
The Arnold Journey 