What can we learn about patience from Moses' dialogue with the Lord? Setting the Scene of Frustration Exodus 5 ends with worse conditions for Israel and Pharaoh’s scorn. Moses “returned to the LORD” (Exodus 5:22). The delay between promise and deliverance births a lesson in patience. The Transparent Heart of Moses • “Lord, why have You brought trouble upon this people?”—He does not mask disappointment. • “Is this why You sent me?”—He voices confusion over God’s plan. Patience is not stoic silence; it allows honest lament while still turning to God. God Does Not Rebuke the Question • In 6:1, the LORD answers, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh.” The reply affirms: delay is purposeful, power will be displayed. • Patience rests in God’s right to set the timetable. Key Lessons Drawn from the Dialogue • Bring impatience to God, not away from Him. • Expect that obedience may initially worsen circumstances; patience looks past the first report. • God’s promises stand intact even when the path seems backward. Echoes in the Rest of Scripture • Habakkuk 1:2—“How long, O LORD, must I cry for help?” Same cry, same invitation to wait. • James 5:10-11—Prophets like Moses are examples of suffering and patience; “the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” • Isaiah 40:31—“But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength.” Waiting is not wasted; it refuels. • 2 Peter 3:9—“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise… but is patient toward you.” God’s patience with us undergirds our patience with His plan. Practical Pathways to Cultivate Patience 1. Return to the LORD immediately with every setback, just as Moses did. 2. Rehearse the specific promises of God (Exodus 6:6-8) aloud until they eclipse present pain. 3. Interpret delays as staging grounds for greater displays of divine power. 4. Trace previous deliverances in your life; past faithfulness fuels present patience. 5. Keep serving in the meantime—Galatians 6:9 warns not to “grow weary in well-doing.” 6. Fix hope on the final outcome, not the interim report; Hebrews 10:36 links endurance to receiving what is promised. Takeaway Moses’ candid dialogue teaches that biblical patience is active trust: honest words poured out before a covenant-keeping God while resolutely waiting for Him to act. |
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