God Is a Good Parent

“He was . . . a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.” (Isa. 53:3 NLT)

On our first transatlantic trip with our kids, they broke all the jet lag rules. They fell asleep nearly as soon as we got to our rental apartment. They napped all afternoon. They didn’t really get on the same time as the rest of France for a week, sleeping in until almost noon every day.  My husband and I knew better, so we stayed awake and we went out each morning to sightsee while they slept, adjusting quickly.

Our girls were teens, though. They didn’t have that experience, and they did need more sleep than adults. Their bodies were unable to make the adjustment so quickly, and we understood. We had patience and did what we could to make the transition easier. We’re parents, and that’s what parents do.

As I’ve revisited the Exodus story this year, I noticed something I never have before. I’ve seen a good parent at work.

When God calls Moses to return to Egypt and bring his own people out of slavery, the Hebrew people don’t trust Moses. Even though they’re being offered freedom! He tells them God wants to bring them to a land of goodness and abundance. Yet their reluctance shadows everything for the next forty years. Why would people react like this to such a generous offer? See if you catch the words I’ve always missed:

“Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord.’ Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor.” (Ex. 6:6-9 NLT)

Reread that last part. They did not listen to Moses because of their discouragement. Other versions translate it as “broken spirit,” and “they had become too discouraged by the brutality of their slavery.”

The people want to believe Moses and enjoy a promised land. Their spirits, their very bodies, however, cannot adapt to such a new reality. They’ve suffered dehumanization, oppression, and marginalization. For generations, they have no experience of freedom and no ability to comprehend it. These are a people shot through with trauma. The normal response to trauma is what we see here—fear, quicksand-like inertia, depression, and anger at anything that might make things worse.

The idea of exploring a new land and life shines before them, but they cannot overcome the jet lag of trauma enough to raise themselves from their exhaustion. It will take time and patience. Fortunately, God is wildly generous with both.

God frees them anyway. The Lord draws them out of Egypt, despite their reluctance. God shows them kindness with manna, despite their complaints. God displays almighty saving power by walking them through the Red Sea, even while they’re trembling at the walls of water all around.

God understands that they feel too broken to believe. Like a wonderful parent, God does whatever can be done to make the transition from slavery to freedom easier, because that’s what parents do. They see their children’s inability to do what their hearts want to do, and they walk with them through it until they can.

God doesn’t blame them for their weakness. We don’t hear chastisement for their grief. Instead, we see surprising patience with their angry fear.

What, then, for us? If this is the way the Lord deals with the Hebrew people, what do you think we will receive when we’re exhausted, hopeless, and discouraged? Do you believe God will blame you and call you weak? Or do you know your Lord sees, hears, and understands? God never turns away from our expressions of strong emotion. We’re pulled along through them, by a God who keeps promises, through the Red Sea and beyond to that land of goodness.

We’re guided out when we cannot see a way out. We’re guided by a God who, while on this earth, knew fear, uncertainty, loss, grief, loneliness, and sorrow. God isn’t ready to give up on you when you’re too exhausted to move forward. Your good, good parent is just getting ready to move for you.

Scripture for Reflection

By the rivers of Babylon,
There we sat down and wept,
When we remembered Zion.

Upon the willows in the midst of it

We hung our harps.

How can we sing the Lord’s song
In a foreign land? (Ps. 137:1-4 NLT)

The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does.

The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads.

The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it.

When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.

The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness.

The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.  (Ps. 145:14-18 NLT)

Reach for More

What is one thing you think God is impatient with you for right now? Write it down. Ask God to tell you a new way to see that thing. If it’s accurate guilt, ask forgiveness and accept a fresh new start. If it’s guilt because you feel discouraged or weak, imagine God taking your hand and making sure you have whatever you need in this season. Whether it’s rest, peace, or walking you through whatever Red Sea is ahead of you, think about how much God, as your parent, wants to make that happen. Relax into that truth and pray for patience with yourself.

Jill Richardson is a writer, speaker, pastor, mom of three, and author of five books. She likes to travel, grow flowers, read Tolkien, and research her next project. She believes in Jesus, grace, restoration, kindness, justice, and dark chocolate. Her passion is partnering with the next generation of faith. Jill blogs at jillmrichardson.com.

Photograph © Kelly Sikkema, used with permission