I was listening to today’s reading in the once a year Bible podcast, and I heard something in God’s word I have never seen. Moses delivered the promise from God to the people of Israel, the promise they had been crying out for, but then exodus 6:9 states,

“Moses spoke so to the children of Israel, but they didn’t listen to Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.”

Exodus 6:9 WEBBE

This seems to be saying that somehow my disposition, my spirit, can impact my ability to hear God. God sent a man, armed with “signs” to prove he was from God, this man gave the answer from God that the people had been praying for, but because they were so beat down, they could not hear it.

This rings true with what I know about the impact of adverse childhood experiences on adult behavior. How victims of abuse sometimes have difficulty leaving their abuser. How depression and anxiety impact one’s ability to have hope.

The takeaway that I think I am having is this. When talking to someone in anguish of spirit or who is in cruel bondage, I may need to start with helping to ease the suffering before we can get to hearing the promises of God. Far too often, when I have encountered those in anguish of spirit, I have just gone straight to the promises of God. After hearing this word today, I’m challenged to change my approach. Ease the suffering first, so people can hear God’s promises.