God Promises Action
May 28, 2022
Commentary
After Moses faced Pharaoh’s refusal, he became deeply discouraged and questioned why God had sent him and why He had not rescued His people. Like Moses, we often struggle with disappointment when God’s plan seems delayed or unclear. Yet instead of turning away, Moses brought his discouragement to the Lord—and God reminded him of who He is and what He had promised.
First, God revealed His power and authority (vv. 1–3), reminding Moses that He is the LORD, fully in control. Second, He recalled His covenant (v. 4)—His unchanging promise to give Israel the land of Canaan. Third, God showed His compassion (v. 5); He had heard the groaning of His people under Egyptian slavery. Fourth, He promised judgment on Egypt (v. 6), declaring that He would redeem Israel “with an outstretched arm.” Finally, He confirmed that His people would receive an inheritance and truly belong to Him (vv. 7–8).
These assurances revealed that God was not distant. He was preparing to act. His purpose in allowing Israel’s suffering was to display His power to the nations. Still, when Moses shared this message, the people were too broken in spirit to believe (v. 9). Their discouragement silenced their faith. Moses also hesitated, doubting his speaking ability and fearing rejection. But God commanded him to return to Pharaoh and deliver His message again (vv. 10–13).
Through this encounter, God reminded Moses—and us—that obedience must rest on His promises, not our feelings. Even when others don’t listen or when progress seems slow, God is still at work. His word never fails, and His timing always proves perfect.
Application
When God seems silent or slow, do I still wait and trust His timing? Like Moses, am I willing to draw near to God, even when others lose patience or turn away? When I feel discouraged or uncertain, will I use that time to trust His timing, to listen, worship, and grow deeper with Him instead of rushing ahead on my own?
Exodus 6:1–13 (NET)
1 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh, for compelled by my strong hand he will release them, and by my strong hand he will drive them out of his land.”
2 God spoke to Moses and said to him, “I am the Lord. 3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name ‘the Lord’ I was not known to them. 4 I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, where they were living as resident foreigners. 5 I have also heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving, and I have remembered my covenant. 6 Therefore, tell the Israelites, ‘I am the Lord. I will bring you out from your enslavement to the Egyptians, I will rescue you from the hard labor they impose, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. 7 I will take you to myself for a people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from your enslavement to the Egyptians. 8 I will bring you to the land I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob—and I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord.’”
9 Moses told this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and hard labor. 10 Then the Lord said to Moses, 11 “Go, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt that he must release the Israelites from his land.” 12 But Moses replied to the Lord, “If the Israelites did not listen to me, then how will Pharaoh listen to me, since I speak with difficulty?”
13 The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron and gave them a charge for the Israelites and Pharaoh king of Egypt to bring the Israelites out of the land of Egypt.
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