Meditations in Exodus
Exodus 3:7-8 reads, “And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; and I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.”
Exodus 3:1-6 introduces us to the occasion wherein the Lord God acquired Moses’ attention with “the burning bush” and met with Moses’ out of “the burning bush.” In verses 7-8 the account continues as the Lord God reveals unto Moses the reason for His meeting with Moses. Indeed, the Lord our God reveals that He knows the sorrows of His people and that He is moved to deliver His people from their sorrows.
Exodus 3:7-8 reads, “And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; and I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.”
Exodus 3:1-6 introduces us to the occasion wherein the Lord God acquired Moses’ attention with “the burning bush” and met with Moses’ out of “the burning bush.” In verses 7-8 the account continues as the Lord God reveals unto Moses the reason for His meeting with Moses. Indeed, the Lord our God reveals that He knows the sorrows of His people and that He is moved to deliver His people from their sorrows.
He Sees the Affliction of His People
The opening portion of Exodus 3:7 states, “And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt.” The Lord our God is ever watching over His own people. He does not lose sight of His people. He does not forget about His people. He does not become neglectful of His people. Rather, the Lord our God never leaves us, nor forsakes us. (Hebrews 13:5) Even in the darkest, most difficult valleys of life, He is ever with us. (Psalm 23:4) In this life the afflictions of the righteous may indeed be many (Psalm 34:19), but the Lord our God surely sees every detail of those many afflictions. “Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy.” (Psalm 33:18) “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” (Psalm 34:15)
He Hears the Cry of His People
The opening portion of Exodus 3:7 continues, “And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters.” Not only does the Lord our God see the affliction of His people, but He also hears the cry of His people in the midst of their affliction. Yea, “the eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” (Psalm 34:15) He does not neglect, ignore, despise, or abhor the affliction of His own people when they are afflicted; nor does He hide His face from them. (Psalm 22:24) Rather, when His own people cry unto Him in truth and faithfulness, He hears their cry. (Psalm 22:24; 145:18-19) “The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.” (Psalm 34:17)
He Knows the Sorrows of His People
In the closing portion of Exodus 3:7, the Lord our God declared, “For I know their sorrows.” Not only does the Lord our God see the affliction of His people and hear the cry of His people, but He also knows the sorrow of His people. Not only does He see the external afflictions that come against them, but also He knows and understands the internal sorrows that rise up within them. He is full of compassion and sympathy toward the sorrow of His own people in their afflictions. In all their afflictions, He also is afflicted. (Isaiah 63:9) His soul is indeed grieved in their misery. (Judges 10:16) He is indeed touched with the feeling of our infirmities and afflictions and sorrows. (Hebrews 4:15) “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.” (Psalm 103:13) Therefore, “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)
He Moves on Behalf of His People
Finally, in Exodus 3:8 the Lord our God declared, “And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.” Because the Lord our God sees the affliction of His people, hears the cry of His people, and knows the sorrow of His people, He is moved with compassion to move on behalf of His people. Indeed, His is moved with compassion to “come down” personally on behalf of His people. Yea, Exodus 3:8 reveals that the Lord our God moves in a three-fold manner on behalf of His afflicted people. First, He is moved to deliver them from their affliction. (“And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians.”) “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” (Psalm 34:18-19) Second, He is moved to establish them in a better circumstance. (“And to bring them up out of that land.”) “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.” (Psalm 37:23-24) Third, He is moved to bless them with abundant benefits. (“And to bring them . . . unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.”) “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.” (Psalm 68:19)
Posted in Meditations in Exodus, In Time of Trouble, Knowledge of the Lord, Prayer, Lovingkindness of the Lord, Deliverance of Our Lord, Spiritual Guidance, Blesssing of the Lord
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