Open Your Heart to God
Exodus 6:9: "Moses spoke thus to the people of Israel, but they did not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery."
When the Israelites experienced even greater oppression, they cried out to the taskmasters and to Pharaoh while Moses cried out to the Lord. The Lord met Moses in his despair, and he reminded him of his promises. He will redeem the nation of Israel; he will deliver them from their slavery; he will take them to be his people; and he will lead them into the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. While the Israelites did not put their trust in Moses and Aaron, Moses was reminded to keep his hope and trust in the promises of the Lord.
God had revealed himself to Moses; his faith was built on that revelation. Not only did Moses see the burning bush, but he also heard the word of the Lord, saw the Lord's signs and wonders, and experienced God's provision through his brother, Aaron. Moses was learning to trust. He would still question and doubt, but Moses knew what to do with those questions and doubts.
In their slavery, the Israelites were consumed with their pain and distress. They were provided a brief reprieve from their despair upon hearing that the Lord had heard their cries and had a plan for their deliverance. Immediately upon hearing the word of the Lord, the Israelites worshipped. When their workload increased, their worship quickly changed to complaining.
In Exodus 6, Moses brings many encouraging words back to the people. He reminds them of God's promises - the promises of deliverance, redemption, taking them as his children, being their God, and giving them the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Despite the promises offered them, the Israelites did not listen. Instead they focused on themselves, their pain, and the hopelessness of their situation.
Reflection:
What do you do when the Lord brings his message of hope and redemption into your places of deepest pain? Do you remain absorbed in the pain, or do you open your heart to his Word?
When the Israelites experienced even greater oppression, they cried out to the taskmasters and to Pharaoh while Moses cried out to the Lord. The Lord met Moses in his despair, and he reminded him of his promises. He will redeem the nation of Israel; he will deliver them from their slavery; he will take them to be his people; and he will lead them into the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. While the Israelites did not put their trust in Moses and Aaron, Moses was reminded to keep his hope and trust in the promises of the Lord.
God had revealed himself to Moses; his faith was built on that revelation. Not only did Moses see the burning bush, but he also heard the word of the Lord, saw the Lord's signs and wonders, and experienced God's provision through his brother, Aaron. Moses was learning to trust. He would still question and doubt, but Moses knew what to do with those questions and doubts.
In their slavery, the Israelites were consumed with their pain and distress. They were provided a brief reprieve from their despair upon hearing that the Lord had heard their cries and had a plan for their deliverance. Immediately upon hearing the word of the Lord, the Israelites worshipped. When their workload increased, their worship quickly changed to complaining.
In Exodus 6, Moses brings many encouraging words back to the people. He reminds them of God's promises - the promises of deliverance, redemption, taking them as his children, being their God, and giving them the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Despite the promises offered them, the Israelites did not listen. Instead they focused on themselves, their pain, and the hopelessness of their situation.
Reflection:
What do you do when the Lord brings his message of hope and redemption into your places of deepest pain? Do you remain absorbed in the pain, or do you open your heart to his Word?
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