The Deliverance Promise to Moses Why Waiting Is Hard

Have you ever prayed for God to change a difficult situation, only to see things get worse? If so, you may understand how Moses felt when Pharaoh refused to free the Israelites. Instead of receiving the deliverance God had promised, the people faced even greater hardships. Moses began to question what God was doing. In Exodus 5 and 6, we find an important lesson about faith, patience, and trusting God’s promises when life doesn’t go as planned.

Bible Study Lesson: Exodus 5:22-23 and 6:1-12

This Scripture reading from Exodus shows us a discouraged Moses. He had obeyed God’s instructions, but the results were not what he expected.

God had promised to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage (read about God’s deliverance promise). However, Pharaoh refused to cooperate. Even worse, he increased the Israelites’ workload by demanding that they gather their own straw while producing the same number of bricks.

Bringing back this message of failure to the Israelites did not help Moses’ popularity. The people were already suffering, and now their situation had become even harder.

Remember, in our first lesson about the deliverance of Israel, we saw how Moses wanted to see immediate results. He had followed God’s instructions, so why wasn’t anything changing?

However, God’s plan did not follow Moses’ timetable. His patience began to wear thin, and he went to the Lord with some difficult questions.

Moses Questions God’s Timing

After Pharaoh increased the people’s burdens, Moses returned to God. He wanted to know why the Lord had sent him on this mission when things were getting worse instead of better.

“O Lord, why have You brought harm to this people? Why did You ever send me?” Exodus 5:22

Moses was confused and frustrated. He had delivered God’s message, but Pharaoh had not listened. Now the Israelites were suffering because of his visit.

He continued his complaint by pointing out that Pharaoh had brought even more trouble upon the people. From Moses’ point of view, his mission seemed to have failed.

Have you ever felt that way? You pray, take a step of faith, and expect things to improve. Instead, the situation becomes more difficult. It is easy to wonder whether you misunderstood God’s direction.

But Moses’ experience reminds us that a difficult beginning does not mean God has abandoned His promise.

God Responds With a Promise of Deliverance

Here is where the story takes an encouraging turn. God does not abandon Moses because he is discouraged. Instead, He reminds Moses of His authority and what He is about to do.

“Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh.” Exodus 6:1

Think about those words for a moment. Moses saw a stubborn Pharaoh and a suffering nation. God saw the beginning of their deliverance.

Pharaoh believed he controlled the Israelites. However, God was about to demonstrate that no earthly ruler could stand against His power.

The Lord also reminded Moses of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This was not a new plan. God had made a promise to His people long before Moses was born.

What Did God Promise Moses in His Covenant?

In Exodus 6:2-8, God reminds Moses of several important promises. These words reveal His faithfulness and explain why Moses could trust Him, even when circumstances looked hopeless.

1. God Reminded Moses Who He Was

God identified Himself as the Lord and reminded Moses of His covenant with the patriarchs.

“I am the LORD.” Exodus 6:2

This simple statement carries great meaning. God was not an ordinary ruler or a powerless observer. He was the same faithful God who had made promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Moses needed to understand that the success of this mission did not depend on his speaking ability or personal strength. It depended on God.

2. God Promised to Free His People

The Lord told Moses that He had heard the groaning of the Israelites under their Egyptian oppression. He remembered His covenant and was ready to act.

“I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.” Exodus 6:6

God promised to rescue the Israelites from slavery. He would also free them from their bondage and redeem them with mighty acts of judgment.

Notice something important here. God did not simply promise to make their work easier. He promised complete deliverance from the power that held them captive.

3. God Promised to Make Israel His People

The deliverance promise went beyond freedom from Egypt. God wanted a relationship with His people.

“I will take you for My people, and I will be your God.” Exodus 6:7

What a wonderful promise! The Israelites would no longer live under Pharaoh’s authority. They would belong to the Lord.

God also promised to bring them into the land He had sworn to give Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This was part of His covenant and His plan for Israel.

These promises remind us that God’s purpose was much greater than simply changing their living conditions. He was establishing His relationship with His people and fulfilling His Word.

Impatience and Fast Results: Moses Wanted Action!

Remember the bricks without straw that Pharaoh demanded when Moses first approached him?

The Israelites had to gather their own materials while meeting the same production requirements. Their workload increased, and their frustration grew.

As a result, Moses became discouraged. He could not understand why God had allowed the situation to become worse.

Yet, God was not finished. He had a purpose that Moses couldn’t see at the time.

A Lesson in Patience: God Is Never Late

A favorite pastor of mine once put it very simply. When we ask God for something in sincere prayer, we can remember two important truths:

• God is never in a hurry.
• God is never late.

Yes, some prayers seem to receive an immediate answer. Others may take months or even years before we see a change.

However, we must remember that God sees the whole picture. We see only what is happening today. He knows what happened yesterday, what is happening now, and what lies ahead.

Consider what Scripture tells us about God’s timing:

“For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it.” Habakkuk 2:3

This verse reminds us that waiting does not mean a promise has failed. God’s timing may differ from ours, but His Word remains trustworthy.

God’s Plan for Us: Trust Him Even When We Cannot See the Answer

Just as God had a plan for the Israelites, He has a purpose for our lives, too. That does not mean we will always understand what He is doing.

I won’t pretend to know why God did not free the Israelites on the very first day. Perhaps their journey would teach them something about His power and faithfulness. Perhaps Moses and the people needed to learn to trust Him through difficult circumstances.

We should be careful not to claim that we know exactly why God allows certain hardships. His thoughts and purposes are greater than our understanding.

But we can trust what He has revealed to us in Scripture.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

This does not mean everything that happens is good. Instead, it reminds us that God can work through even the hardest circumstances to accomplish His purposes.

When we can’t see the next step, we can still trust the One who knows the way.

Our Problems: Learning to Wait on God

We all face problems. Some are small, while others can turn our lives upside down.

It may not take much patience to wait for a minor problem to work itself out. However, when a serious situation affects our family, finances, relationships, or future, waiting becomes much harder.

We want answers. We want relief. Most of all, we want to know that things will get better.

But remember Moses. He had a direct promise from God, yet he still struggled when the circumstances seemed to contradict that promise.

His experience teaches us that faith doesn’t mean we will never feel discouraged. It means we can bring our concerns to God and continue trusting Him.

We can also find comfort in these words from Isaiah:

“Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength.” Isaiah 40:31

Waiting on God is not always easy. Still, we don’t have to face those difficult seasons alone.

Just as the Lord demonstrated His mighty power when He brought the Hebrews out of Egyptian bondage, He remains able to work in our lives today. We may not know how or when He will answer, but we can continue to seek Him in prayer and trust His Word.

Final Thoughts: God’s Promise Is Greater Than Our Waiting

The story in Exodus 5 and 6 gives us an important lesson about God’s timing. Moses expected quick results, but God had a much larger plan for Israel.

At first, Pharaoh’s resistance made the situation worse. The people suffered, and Moses questioned his mission. However, God remained faithful to His covenant.

Eventually, the Lord would lead His people out of Egypt with mighty acts of power. What looked like a failed mission was only the beginning of their deliverance.

So, the next time you find yourself waiting for an answer to prayer, remember Moses. Don’t assume that a delay means God has forgotten you.

Keep praying, trusting and keep your heart open to His direction.

God’s timing may not be our timing, but we can rest in the knowledge that He is faithful.

Love in Christ,
Bob

Continue Your Bible Study

If you missed the first part of this lesson, you can read more about God’s deliverance promise to Moses and how the Lord first revealed His plan.

You may also enjoy reading Moses Returns to Egypt to follow the story as Moses begins his mission.

For more Bible lessons, Scripture studies, and encouragement to help you grow in your faith, visit Making Christ Known.

If you would like to learn how to receive the love and life-changing experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to read John 3:16 for more information.

*Verses from New American Standard Bible (NASB).