The children of Israel had been in the land of Egypt 430 years by the time the Lord called Moses to lead them out of bondage. (See Ex. 12:40.) During their long years under the Egyptian yoke, they became not only physically enslaved but also spiritually sick. Having gone for generations without a prophet to counsel and guide them, the greater part of the children of Israel drifted into apostasy.
Before they were ready to enter the land of promise, they had a long way to go - not only in the geographical distance to be covered but also in spiritual progression to be accomplished. Some scholars and students of the Old Testament say, "It was harder for Moses to get Egypt out of the children of Israel than to get the children of Israel out of Egypt." At times, the children of Israel placed more trust in the gods of Egypt than in the God of Israel.In one of his books, Even as I Am, Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Council of the Twelve observed: "Impatience is not only abrupt but destructive, leaving its own human debris, as in the case of the children of Israel who, while Moses was on Mount Sinai, relapsed by making a golden calf to worship. It seemed they could not wait even a few more days when Moses delayed to come down.' This episode underscores the need not only for general patience, but also for patient trust in the Savior and in His prophets, even in those circumstances when we feel neglected or miffed - when, for instance, the Brethren seem inexplicably to delay. Keeping ourselves spiritually intact is our responsibility lest we too beturned aside quickly out of the way.' But when we stay in the way, Christ gives us rich and reassuring experiences."
