Good Morning.
So Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Lord, why have You brought trouble on this people? Why is it You have sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people; neither have You delivered Your people at all.” (Exodus 5:22-23)
Even though he had been told that Pharaoh would be reluctant to let the people go, Moses wondered why God allowed this persecution to take place. As far as Moses was concerned, things weren’t going as he expected. In Moses’ mind, not only was it not happening the way he thought it was supposed to but things were much worse than before; it would have been better if he had not said anything at all.
Like most of us, Moses assumed the redemption process would have been quick, easy and painless. However, no where in Scripture do we see things play out that way. First of all, the Adversary is loathe to let go of God’s people and quit the contest without a fight. Secondly, there are things that the people of God need to learn and mature in that would almost be impossible without the trials and tribulations of life. These difficulties are what Messiah referred to as birth pains.
Both then and in the future, the redemption of God’s people is predetermined to the very day, and like the birth of a long awaited child, everyone knows that there must be labor and travail. The suffering that Israel endured in the days of their bondage was temporary but necessary to bring about the redemption. Yet, what God did on their behalf has been celebrated for generations. Likewise, the suffering we must endure in advance of the Messianic era, though it is a prerequisite to the glory of Redemption (Romans 8:17-18), will pale in comparison to the eternal reward inherited by those who persevere. Thus it behooves us to remember words of the Messiah: “The one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:13)
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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