The Book of Proverbs nails it: "Expectation deferred sickens the heart" (Proverbs 13:12). But what does that really mean, especially when we're talking about something bigger than ourselves?
Devarim Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic teachings on the Book of Deuteronomy, uses this very verse to explore the pain of delayed hope, and the joy of finally seeing a promise fulfilled. And it all starts with the phrase, "See, I have begun..."
Rabbi Azarya suggests that this verse speaks directly to the Jewish people’s longing for salvation. Imagine the prophets promising, "Any minute now! Soon, I will shake the heavens and the earth!" (Haggai 2:6). Each time, hope flares, only to be extinguished by continued hardship. "Expectation deferred sickens the heart," the people would sigh. But then, finally, the prophet proclaims, "Behold, your Savior has come!" (Isaiah 62:11). That’s when "desire realized is a tree of life" (Proverbs 13:12). That yearning, finally quenched, brings forth vibrant, flourishing life.
But it's not just about grand, sweeping salvation. The Rabbis find other examples in the Torah. Think about Pharaoh. With each plague that Moses brought, the Israelites must have believed, this is it! We're finally free! But Pharaoh would stubbornly refuse. Again and again, "expectation deferred sickens the heart."
And then, a complete contrast: the wars against Siḥon and Og. Remember them? These were powerful kings who stood in the way of the Israelites entering the Promised Land. But this time, God says, almost immediately, "See, I have begun delivering before you." No agonizing wait. No soul-crushing disappointment. Just swift, decisive action. “And desire realized is a tree of life.”
There's one more interpretation of "See, I have begun" that I find particularly striking. Rabbi Abba bar Kahana offers a powerful image: God, in effect, tells Moses, "See, I have toppled their guardian angel!" It’s like a king who captures his son's worst enemy and says, "Here. Do with him as you wish." The divine protection has been removed. The path is clear. It's not just about military might or political maneuvering. It's about removing the spiritual obstacles that stand in our way. The malach, the angel or spiritual force, that protected Siḥon and Og was no longer there. Their power was an illusion.
So what does this all mean for us today? Perhaps it’s a reminder that the waiting can be agonizing, but the eventual fulfillment is all the sweeter. Maybe it's an encouragement to look for the "guardian angels" – the unseen forces – that may be blocking our own paths, and to trust that, in time, they too can be toppled. Or perhaps it’s just a comforting thought that even in the midst of uncertainty, the Divine is saying, “See, I have begun…” even when we can't see it yet.