Exodus 6:9 And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.
The Lord had just spoken to the people through Moses, reaffirming His Covenant Promises, promising to redeem them from bondage and bring them to the Land of Promise. And now was the time! The surprising response to this great Good News was that they did not hearken: they heard, but did not listen and believe God’s words.
Why in the world wouldn’t people receive and believe the Gospel Promise? Is it too good to be true? Or, are they tired of waiting? Or, could they not accept the Word from a man like Moses? Or, did they think they did not deserve it? The text reveals the reason: the people could not believe because of anguish of spirit and cruel bondage.
We also are under cruel bondage to Sin and Death, and we suffer from the anguish of a broken spirit because of the human condition we find ourselves in. We can become so depressed and miserable that nothing and no one can lift our spirits. We can experience such anguish that we can’t believe. Bondage to sin is real, and Sin makes a broken spirit (anguish). The Law reveals my sin (I can’t just blame others), convicts of guilt, brings repentance, and leads me to the Gospel of forgiveness and the promise of life. Now the question is: can we hearken to and believe such Good News?
The power of the Spirit through the Gospel convinces us that Redemption has happened in Christ and the promise of Eternal Life (Land) is real. The miracle is that by God’s grace and power we hear and believe. The joy of the Promise lifts the depression. We experience the same joy that the Israelites felt when they passed through the waters. The Word and the Spirit gives faith to hearken (listen and believe).