The story of the Exodus from Egypt is one of God raising up a leader, Moses, to lead his people out of slavery. However, as things get difficult throughout the trek between Egypt and the Promised Land, the people of Israel cry out in complaint to Moses: “You should have left us in Egypt! It was better for us in Egypt!” The reality is that there were very few things that were good about the 430 year subjugation of Israel under Egypt. So, why did Israel look back so favorably on their time in Egypt as they wandered through the wilderness?
The reality is that we all have a tendency to prefer the certainty of slavery over the uncertainty of faithfully trusting in God. It’s easy to look back with a positive slant on how things used to be, even when the past is as extreme as slavery to a nation. This may play out in our lives through waiting on a right romantic relationship or living with generosity. Each of these circumstances require faith that God will provide for our needs. The temptation in either situation is to seek what is certain, regardless of the parameters God sets up for how our relationships and financial dealings should be.
The message Moses gives to the people of Israel when they are in their most hopeless situation is, “The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” We have the option to choose the uncertainty of faith over the certainty of slavery. And, all along, the truth is that faith towards God never puts us in a place of uncertainty.