God’s promise of freedom and benevolence retained its relevance through four hundred years of Israelite slavery. The first clause in the promise—God will surely come to your aid—still applies to us today.
For The Israelites
Each Israelite generation must have fervently wished God would fulfill his promise of deliverance in their lifetime so they could live freely in their ancestral homeland.
Instead, they endured perpetual slavery in a foreign country for centuries, the antithesis of what God had promised.
Their suffering undoubtedly raised questions about God’s character and trustworthiness. However, they knew their very existence was living proof of his previous faithfulness to their forefathers.
God’s promise of aid affirmed his goodness and sustained the Israelite’s hope of eventual release, which fortified their stamina to endure slavery.
For Us
We long for security, abundance, and happiness. Instead, our lives are full of uncertainty, sorrow, and stress. We regularly endure unfair hardships.
Our suffering frequently raises questions about God’s character, compassion, and competence.
God’s promise of aid reminds us that he exists; he is present with us; he sees our plight; he cares for us; he has the resources to help us, and he has obligated himself to help us.
The promise gives us the strength, grace, and hope to endure our ordeals intact and be enriched by them.
