“Moses spoke thus to the people of Israel, but they did not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery.”
Exodus 6:9 ESV
It seems to us that, when people are in need, they would be most open to the gospel. It seems to us that, when they are desperate, they’d most readily receive it. This, however, is not always the case.
We see an example of this as Moses came to the people of Israel, having been called by God to deliver them from bondage. Having been enslaved for four hundred years, it seems to us that this would be welcome news. It seems to us that the people would receive this with gladness. But, as we see in the above passage, they didn’t respond as we might expect.
We find that, as Moses brought to them this good news, they did not listen to him. They did not listen because of their broken spirit. They did not listen because of their harsh slavery. Their suffering had led them to a sense of despondency and discouragement.
The people were so demoralized, it seems, that they would not receive the good news as it was brought to them. And this being the case, Moses wondered how Pharaoh would ever listen to him. He, then, brought this question to God.
The same can be said, I believe, of many today. Many among us are so broken, their spirit is crushed to such an extent, that they have shut their ears to the gospel. Their hopelessness has caused them to shut down to any thought of relief. And we may wonder what we can do that they might hear, understand, and receive the gospel.
As Moses brought this question to the Lord, he was simply told to carry out his calling. He was told to do so, with the assurance that God would act. And this, of course, is what Moses did.
As we ask this question of ourselves, or as we direct it to the Lord, the answer is the same. We can do nothing to remedy this situation. We’re unable to open anyone’s ears. And we are unable to change hearts and minds.
We can only be faithful to the call God has given us. We can only proclaim to them the good news. And we can only entrust the people, along with our service, to the care of God.
We can do so knowing that he will work. We can do so knowing that he will act. We can do so knowing that he will work in the hearts and minds of those who hear his Word.
Although, in one sense, this may seem discouraging to us, it’s also a relief. It’s a relief because the changing of hearts and minds is dependent not upon us. It’s dependent not upon our creativity, our giftedness, or our determination. We simply carry out our calling trusting that, as we do so, the Lord will act.
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