The largest misconception modern readers of the Bible have is that God spoke to people more in those times than he does now. We conclude that God spoke directly to people all the time. We get the impression that God was constantly doing miracles. Thus, we think that coming to faith in God was easier for people in the Bible. This couldn’t be farther from the truth.
The situation in the first two chapters of Exodus is similar, spiritually speaking, to our situation today. After the events of Genesis, there were roughly 400 years of waiting. This was 400 years of passing down the history of God’s creative work. As their situation grew worse, all they had was the promise God had given them. That’s 400 years of no major revelations or miraculous events being recorded. God was certainly not idle. Instead, he was moving and preparing for the next phase of his plan. When the timing was right, God brought about the coming of Moses and facilitated the Hebrews exodus back to the promised land.
The children of Israel called out to God. They believed he would hear them and respond. They had no idea how long it would take. In reading the text, more than a few generations of worsening slavery and mistreatment passed before Moses came on the scene. All the children of Israel had was hope and faith.
In our present day, we don’t see great prophets stepping up to lead the way to the promised land, but we do have faith. It seems like God isn’t saying or doing much in our day, but we have the history of what he’s done for his people. We also have a greater promise. The children of Israel knew God would bring them back to the promised land. We know that God sent his only Son to bring us salvation. We know that one day he will return and set up his kingdom on Earth.
We have more to hold on to than they ever did. So, we keep the faith and continually hope for his second coming.
Everything that God does is for his glory and our good through his perfect timing.
Rev. David Richards
Extended Scripture: Exodus 1–2
