He is there and he is not silent. (Exodus 1-2)

One of my least favorite things to do is to wait. Waiting, however, is part and parcel of life. Even the wealthiest do wait on some things. Waiting means staying out until a particular time or event. Or waiting could mean delaying an action. The hard thing about waiting is uncertainty. The level of uncertainty will vary according to the circumstances. There is less to be anxious about when you are waiting for a kettle to boil than when an hour later your date still has not shown up. 

For about four hundred years Israel had not heard from God. God had made a promise to Abraham to make him into a great nation (12:2). In addition to this, God had foretold Abraham about his descendants that will be made slaves in Egypt (Gen 15:13). And so it came to be. However, just before God redeemed his people, one of God's promises to Abraham was threatened. But who or what can stand against the promises of God! Even though we are only told of God's direct communication in chapter three, chapters one and two are not without traceable evidence of God's mighty acts. God was there, with his mighty hand working in the silence to defend the honor of his name.

First, we see that God's promise was beginning to take shape. The growth of the Israelites was like a mighty Tsunami, it was unstoppable (Ex 1:7, 12). From only less than eighty people (1:5) to as dreadfully numerous to the ruthless Egyptians.

Second, when the king of Egypt turned the fire up by attempting to kill all the Israelite newborn baby boys; God poured his grace out to those who fear him. The Egyptians attempt was aimed at the heart of God's promises, to kill the growing nation by snuffing out its future bearers of the pure seed of Israel. But the mighty hand of God was at work. The Israelites grew in numbers even more as God blessed those who feared him and not the wicked king (Ex 1:21).

Third, the mighty hand of God is seen in rescuing the future rescuer of Israel. Moses was rescued from the kings of Egypt's verdict, and then was drawn from out of the water, the River Nile. The mighty hand of God drew the rescuer boy and placed him in the courts of the enemy so that he may grow up as one with them but not one of them. And when Moses fled to the wilderness, there God's mighty hand took care of him by providing a family to care for him. And he was blessed with a family of his own. 

For us reading these accounts it is a matter of a couple of minutes before we finish both chapters. But for those who were in the thick of it, oppressed and waiting on the Lord, it must have felt like an eternity. Even more so, when there was no direct Word from God speaking into their situation.

I say a direct Word, because as said, God had foretold about the exile in Egypt, and had promised to rescue his people (Gen 15:13, 46:4). And until the time of acting, until the time that God had set in his infinite wisdom to set his people free - which eventually came (2:24) for God is faithful and just - the people had to wait and trust.

Are you feeling tired of waiting? Are you tired of waiting for things to get back to 'normal? Are you tired of waiting to hear from God speaking into your situation? Are you tired of waiting on the government or the authorities for justice? Are you tired of waiting at home for a job opportunity? Are you tired of waiting on God for marriage, a child, salvation for your unbelieving partner? 

God is there and he is not silent. I can not promise you that he will address your situation in the way you may like, but he will act and you will be glad.  In the interim, here is what you may hang on to:

1) “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32). 

2) "And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” (Rev 21:5)