“I Well Know the Pains They Suffer.”(Ex3:1-7)

God spoke to Moses as recorded above. While tending sheep one day, Moses came upon a most unusual sight of a thorn bush on fire but not burning (Ex.3:2). Intrigued, he approached to investigate. Through an angel, God spoke to him from the midst of the fire “Do not come near: remove your sandals from off your feet because the place where you are standing is holy ground.” (v.5). Just think – because the Holy God was present, meaningfully the ground itself became holy! The Holy God had a reason for drawing Moses into conversation. God said, “I have seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and I have heard their outcry as a result of those who drive them to work, because I well know the pains they suffer (Ex.3:7).

God was not blind to the misery of His people, nor was He deaf to the voice of their pleadings. Rather, their anguish became His own. Notice that God said, “I well know the pains they suffer.” Regarding the words “I well know”, one reference work notes: “the expression implies personal feeling, tenderness and compassion”. God’s words to Moses reveal a deeply concerned and caring God. What would God do? He did not merely look with pity or hear without compassion. He was moved to act. He purposed to deliver His people out of Egypt and to bring them “to a land flowing with milk and honey” (v.8). To that end, God commissioned Moses, saying: “bring my people out of Egypt” (v.10). Faithful to that commission Moses led Israel out of Egypt in 1513 BC.

God has not changed. His worshippers today can be sure that He sees their adversities and hears their cries for help. He well knows the pains they suffer, but God does not just feel compassion for His devoted servants, the tender God is moved to act on their behalf “because He cares” for them, (1 Pet.5:7). God’s compassion gives us reason for hope, with His help. We imperfect humans can attain a measure of holiness and become acceptable to him, (1 Pet.1:15-16). One woman who has struggled with depression and discouragement found comfort in the account of Moses’ experience at the thorn bush. She says profoundly, “If God can make even the dirt holy, then maybe there is a little hope for me.”

Are you moved to learn more about the holy God? A close relationship with Him is possible, for God “well knows the formation of us, remembering that we are dust.” (Ps.103:4).

Bro. Ernest Lavuna (Gisambi, Kenya)