Contemplative Bible Reading

Exodus 5:22-23 (New Living Translation)

22 Then Moses went back to the Lord and protested, “Why have you brought all this trouble on your own people, Lord? Why did you send me? 23 Ever since I came to Pharaoh as your spokesman, he has been even more brutal to your people. And you have done nothing to rescue them!”

This is early in the (hi)story of God sending Moses into Egypt to bring God’s people out of slavery and to the promised land. Moses had recently had his first meeting with Pharaoh asking that the people be allowed to leave and worship God.

Pharaoh replied by giving the people more work—gather your own straw to make the same number of bricks. They people had to work harder. They complained to Moses. Moses, ever the middle manager, passed the complaint on to God.

Moses told God, “Ever since I came to Pharaoh as your spokesman, he has been even more brutal to your people.”

For this period of time, things were worse—not better. Where was the good that was promised? Where was the freedom from slavery? Yuck.

“For this period of time” is a phrase us folks like to use. “Ever since” you showed up… “Ever since” we moved here… “Ever since” you bought that thing… “Ever since, ever since, and ever since.”

Time is a funny thing. When times are bad, time seems to slow. When times are great, time flies by. When we are young, time is forever. When we are old, time is short and shorter.

Why can’t God operate on the time schedule that I set? Why does God have a different since of time? I mean, I try hard to do right. Why can’t God operate on my schedule? Ever since… Times don’t change much over time. We still complain to God with “ever since.” Please God, help me to see time differently.