Exodus 6:6-9
6 “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 armand with mighty acts of judgment. 7 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.8 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.’” 9 Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor.
The voice of God promising hope and encouragement can be so easily drown out in our lives by discouragement. God spoke a message of hope and redemption to Moses that he was to deliver to the Israelites to encourage them and bring them hope, but the message didn't get through because the voice of discouragement was louder in their souls than the voice of encouragement. Why? Notice, that in verse 9, the Israelites, "did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor." They didn't hear because they were emotionally and physically drained. Two things to think about. First, we have a tendency to let ourselves get drained physically and emotionally in discouragement. If possible, try to get some physical and emotional rest. I love to listen to music which always lifts my soul and dispels discouragement. Also, watch what you eat. We all have our comfort foods we like to eat when discouraged and they usually don't help matters. Second, even though the Israelites didn't listen to the words of encouragement from God through Moses, it didn't mean that God wasn't at work behind the scenes to deliver them, He was. Paul said, "If God be for us, who can be against us." The old saying, "God helps them who help themselves" is neither true or biblical, as often God helps those who can't help themselves. For that we praise His name for his grace and mercy.
6 “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 armand with mighty acts of judgment. 7 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.8 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.’” 9 Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor.
The voice of God promising hope and encouragement can be so easily drown out in our lives by discouragement. God spoke a message of hope and redemption to Moses that he was to deliver to the Israelites to encourage them and bring them hope, but the message didn't get through because the voice of discouragement was louder in their souls than the voice of encouragement. Why? Notice, that in verse 9, the Israelites, "did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor." They didn't hear because they were emotionally and physically drained. Two things to think about. First, we have a tendency to let ourselves get drained physically and emotionally in discouragement. If possible, try to get some physical and emotional rest. I love to listen to music which always lifts my soul and dispels discouragement. Also, watch what you eat. We all have our comfort foods we like to eat when discouraged and they usually don't help matters. Second, even though the Israelites didn't listen to the words of encouragement from God through Moses, it didn't mean that God wasn't at work behind the scenes to deliver them, He was. Paul said, "If God be for us, who can be against us." The old saying, "God helps them who help themselves" is neither true or biblical, as often God helps those who can't help themselves. For that we praise His name for his grace and mercy.
RSS Feed