Exodus Chapter 3: verse 11 (NIV-UK)
But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’
Exodus Chapter 5: Verses 22-23 (NIV-UK)
Moses returned to the Lord and said, ‘Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all.’
Exodus Chapter 6: Verses 6-9 (NIV-UK)
‘Therefore, say to the Israelites: “I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord.”’
Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labour.
Exodus Chapter 12: Verse 31 (NIV-UK)
During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, ‘Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the Lord as you have requested.
Moses was reluctant to take up his calling, nevertheless he went in obedience. It seemed however that things got worse instead of better initially, and the people refused to listen to him. So, he pretty much went back to God and said, “I told You this would happen.” Perhaps he thought that the doors would open and all would go smoothly. After all he was doing what God told him to. But at the right time, under God’s direction we see the promise begin to come to pass as the people left Egypt. However, it didn’t happen straight away. Some bible commentators think it may have been up to a year from the time of the first plaques until the Passover. Even then the promise was not completely fulfilled until forty years later because of the peoples’ sin and unbelief.
But we should not be too quick to criticise Moses. Just as he may have expected instant results, we too can be guilty of thinking the same when we step out in faith in obedience to God’s instruction. Things may seem not to be going as well or as quickly as we imagined. We live in an era of instant results after all. People may also criticise what we are doing and, like Moses, we become disheartened. But we have the benefit of knowing how Moses’ story worked out. God was always in control and knew exactly what He was doing. Just as He does for us too. And He doesn’t even mind us telling Him when we feel frustrated or upset, as long as we continue to do as He asks.
Dear Lord,
I know that I too can be a bit of a moan and feel sorry for myself when times are tough. Help me to remember that You know exactly what You’re doing, even if I don’t understand why. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.