May 25, 2017
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Reading along with us in Exodus? Here’s today’s reading:
Exodus 9 (ESV)
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. 2 For if you refuse to let them go and still hold them, 3 behold, the hand of the Lord will fall with a very severe plague upon your livestock that are in the field, the horses, the donkeys, the camels, the herds, and the flocks. 4 But the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that nothing of all that belongs to the people of Israel shall die.”’” 5 And the Lord set a time, saying, “Tomorrow the Lord will do this thing in the land.” 6 And the next day the Lord did this thing. All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one of the livestock of the people of Israel died. 7 And Pharaoh sent, and behold, not one of the livestock of Israel was dead. But the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go… Continue Reading
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Elise and I read Hebrews chapter 10 today. I think it would be an excellent passage to read for Communion. It says that “But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.” and communion is a remembrance of what it says later “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.”
Plagues plagues plagues really quite frightening while also quite reassuring
16But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth. ❤️ God is in control and has a purpose.
Can you tell I am trying to catch up here? I have been reading fairly consistently, with a couple of gaps in my private reading, but want to be more consistent about posting.
No plagues in Goshen! Interesting that Pharaoh sends investigators out to make sure none of the Jewish animals are dead, because Egypt is full of them, Also interesting how the magicians are mentioned specifically that their boils are so bad they can’t stand in pharaohs presence. How are those magic arts working for you now?
It is amazing that some Egyptians didn’t heed the warning when it came to the plague of hail. They left servants and livestock out when the hail came and they died. (Anyone else wonder where the livestock came from since the plague of livestock happened before this?) It is also merciful that the wheat harvest wasn’t effected.
I did wonder about the existence of livestock after the plague of livestock! Maybe they took the livestock away from God’s people? Or maybe there was a good span of time between plagues? Years, even? Do we know?
In Exodus 9:27, as the greatest hail storm ever seen in the land of Egypt rages and destroys, Pharaoh acknowledges his wickedness and gives God His due: “Then Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, ‘I have sinned this time; the Lord is the righteous one, and I and my people are the wicked ones.'”
Did he mean it, at least in that moment? Was he bargaining with God?
God knows the true state of our hearts, and whether or not we’re truly repentant.
Moses agrees to ask God to stop the storm, but adds, “But as for you and your servants, I know that you do not yet fear the Lord God.” (Exodus 9:30)
And sure enough, when the storm ceases, Pharaoh “sinned again and hardened his heart, he and his servants,” …”just as the Lord had spoken through Moses.”
I’m reminded of all the prayers we’ve offered to God on behalf of people who have no desire to obey Him — they just want their problems resolved so life can be “better.” Have you ever had unbelievers ask you to pray for them? Or have you offered to pray for them? What was your prayer?
Or how about the times we’ve begged God for relief from our own trials, and perhaps made promises we really only meant “in the moment,” when we were truly desperate. “God, if you _______, I promise I’ll _________!”
What do we pray for when we or others are suffering trials? What is our perspective on the suffering of those who reject God? What is our perspective on suffering in the life of a Christian? What happens to our hearts after our suffering is relieved? Do we entreat God with no understanding of who He is? Do we consider what His purposes and will may be for our suffering? Do we treat God’s mercy with contempt, and make vows we don’t keep once our suffering is relieved?
Heavenly Father, may I never forget that while you are my Abba Father, full of love and mercy and grace, you are still my God, and my life is not my own. With your Son’s blood, you purchased me out of darkness and sin and gave me a new life in Christ. Prayer is a serious thing, an act of worship, a sign of dependence on you. Give me a desire for your glory whenever I pray, even if your glory requires me to suffer. Give me the faith I need to pray your glory would be revealed no matter what! Forgive me for all the times I’ve offered up prayers when in desperate need, only to retreat back to a life of independence when my prayers were answered. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.