“These slaves of Pharaoh hardly looked like heirs of Yahweh. Surely they would die making Egypt’s bricks rather than live eating Canaan’s figs. But in the fullness of time God sent forth his plagues into Pharaoh’s heart until he relented and, unbelievably, God led his people toward his land. Then, as if time and slavery were not enough, it seemed that God’s own people had conspired to frustrate his promise (Num. 13–14). Forty years were then spent wandering in the wilderness. Only when we see the barriers Yahweh smashes in order to fulfill his word, only when we see his promise trampling all apparent obstacles put in its way, only then will we appreciate how tenacious our God’s fidelity is to his promise and his people.” —Dale Ralph Davis
