Israelites Crying Out
Question: The children of Israel were "crying out". Why did they become slaves in Egypt, couldn't they have simply taken control of the promised land without becoming slaves first?
Answer: “Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry” (Exodus 22:21–23).
If you are crying out to the Lord for some injustice that you have suffered, or crying out for some situation that need justice, then we can be sure that the Lord hears our cry. “I will surely hear them cry”, says the Lord.
God has a heart of compassion and does not take injustice lightly. Although he may not immediately rise to take action, for he has lessons to teach us. He may make us look on injustice for a while, that we too, may see the abhorrent nature of it: “Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise” (Hab 1:3).
But let’s be sure that the divine court will sit and justice will be meted out. Moses had tried, in his own way, to bring some justice to the oppressed children of Israel in their Egyptian bondage, but it ended with Moses fleeing for his life. So the Lord told Moses, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers” (Exod 3:7).
At this point Moses was probably thinking, All this sounds very good Lord. In fact, once, I did try to rescue the Israelites from the hand of the Egyptians myself, but it didn’t work out well. But I’m glad that you are now on the case, you will undoubtedly have more success than me.
Then God said, “So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt” (Exod 3:10). This last statement shook Moses. So he ventures a reply. “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?” (Exod 3:11).
Moses was on a learning curve himself. Since his last attempt at being a hero ended in shambles, Moses had been humbled and was now quite content to spend his days with Jethro’s family around him in Midian, he didn’t want any excitement of this nature in his life. But perhaps that’s just the kind of person God wanted Moses, and us, to be. The kind of person that God will use to bring justice to a situation.
We pray for justice and sometimes we may have to play a part in bringing justice to a situation. God does not need the help of man, of course, but in his wisdom he deems it fit for men and women to play their part in bring justice to bear.
But let’s be sure that what we do is done in the right spirit, and that we have God’s support.
Crying out to God is certainly the first step, and he will instruct us what to do, which may simply be praying, or perhaps we have action to take ourselves.
A good friend of mine was once asked to give evidence in in a criminal justice case. He had been a witness to the crime. He phoned me just before the trial was about to begin, he was fearful that repercussions against him may result if he gave evidence. But he put his fears to one side and gave a good and truthful account of what had happened. He trusted God that all would be well, because God loves truth. All went well in the trial and justice was done with no repercussions aimed against my friend.
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” (Mic 6:8).