Response to Hail – Hard Heart

Response to Hail – Hard Heart

Exodus 9: ²⁷ And Pharaoh sent and called for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “I have sinned this time. The Lord is righteous, and my people and I are wicked. ²⁸ Entreat the Lord, that there may be no more mighty thundering and hail, for it is enough. I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer.”

 

²⁹ So Moses said to him, “As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands to the Lord; the thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, that you may know that the earth is the Lord’s. ³⁰ But as for you and your servants, I know that you will not yet fear the Lord God.”

 

³¹ Now the flax and the barley were struck, for the barley was in the head and the flax was in bud. ³² But the wheat and the spelt were not struck, for they are late crops.

 

³³ So Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh and spread out his hands to the Lord; then the thunder and the hail ceased, and the rain was not poured on the earth. ³⁴ And when Pharaoh saw that the rain, the hail, and the thunder had ceased, he sinned yet more; and he hardened his heart, he and his servants. ³⁵ So the heart of Pharaoh was hard; neither would he let the children of Israel go, as the Lord had spoken by Moses.

 

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During the storm Pharaoh sent people into the hail and fire to bring Moses and Aaron to him. The fields were being destroyed and many things were on fire. Pharaoh begged Moses to ask GOD to stop the hail. Moses knew that Pharaoh did not repent, but called to the LORD anyway. The hail stopped and Pharaoh and his servants responded with hard hearts.

 

My Observations:

• Pharaoh would say anything to get out of trouble.
• GOD used the hail to destroy livestock of those who would not believe HE would do what HE said HE would do.
• Moses told Pharaoh that he should believe that the earth belongs to the LORD, not to him.

 

Six promises were not kept by Pharaoh and seven plagues have now passed. Pharaoh may have said to himself, “I am still in control because I tricked Moses into stopping the hail.” He refused to give credit to GOD or value HIS power. We do the same, don’t we?

 

The same GOD that poured down hail is the same GOD who can heal, fix problems or raise up unlikely people. But sometimes we remain as blind as Pharaoh to GOD’s power. GOD wants everyone to know the earth is HIS. No matter if it is Pharaoh of Egypt or a modern-day Pharaoh, GOD is in control.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about Pharaoh’s lie about letting the people go because of the hail damage?
• Have you allowed the enemy to blind you to GOD’s power?
• Can you surrender your efforts to give up and allow GOD to fill you up?

Seventh Action to Dismantle a Mindset

Seventh Action to Dismantle a Mindset

Exodus 9: ²⁰ He who feared the word of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his livestock flee to the houses. ²¹ But he who did not regard the word of the Lord left his servants and his livestock in the field.

 

²² Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt—on man, on beast, and on every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.” ²³ And Moses stretched out his rod toward heaven; and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and fire darted to the ground. And the Lord rained hail on the land of Egypt. ²⁴ So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, so very heavy that there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. ²⁵ And the hail struck throughout the whole land of Egypt, all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail struck every herb of the field and broke every tree of the field. ²⁶ Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, there was no hail.

 

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Twenty-four hours passed after the warning GOD told Moses to give to Pharaoh. Since the children of Israel were still in captivity, GOD did what HE said HE would do. HE rained down hail mingled with fire. There was so much hail that it covered and burned up the fields and killed any animal left outside.

 

My Observations:

• Some of Pharaoh’s servants feared what GOD was going to do, so they took the stolen livestock and put it in their homes.
• GOD seemed to be tearing down a mindset of siding with Pharaoh as a god.
• The children of Israel did not experience any hail and all of their livestock was left intact.

 

This plague destroyed trees, fields and buildings made of wood. The rebuild of the nation would take decades if at all. Unfortunately for the Egyptians, this was the end of their reign of cruelty. Pharaoh had six warnings to let GOD’s people go and he did not relent.

 

Some of Pharaoh’s servants briefly believed that GOD would do what HE said HE would do. They moved animals in their houses. They had seen water turn to blood, frogs, lice, flies and all of their livestock die. They would not take a chance of having the stolen livestock die too.

 

GOD protected the children of Israel. No hail fell in the Land of Goshen. GOD protects you and me when we obey and follow HIM.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the hail HE poured out on Egypt?
• Has GOD ever warned you and you did not heed the warning?
• In the middle of today’s turmoil, is GOD asking you to surrender a mindset so HE can grow you?

Seventh Plague: Hail

Seventh Plague: Hail

Exodus 9: ¹³ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Rise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh, and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord God of the Hebrews: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me, ¹⁴ for at this time I will send all My plagues to your very heart, and on your servants and on your people, that you may know that there is none like Me in all the earth. ¹⁵ Now if I had stretched out My hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, then you would have been cut off from the earth. ¹⁶ But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth. ¹⁷ As yet you exalt yourself against My people in that you will not let them go. ¹⁸ Behold, tomorrow about this time I will cause very heavy hail to rain down, such as has not been in Egypt since its founding until now. ¹⁹ Therefore send now and gather your livestock and all that you have in the field, for the hail shall come down on every man and every animal which is found in the field and is not brought home; and they shall die.” ’ ”

 

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This is the seventh plague against Egypt and the sixth warning GOD gave to Pharaoh to let HIS people go. This time GOD reiterates that HE is the GOD of the Hebrews and HE states HIS purpose.

 

My Observations:

• GOD allowed Pharaoh to think he was in control and raised him up so that GOD’s true power would be shown.
• GOD warned Pharaoh that the animals they may have stolen from the Hebrews, would be killed if left out in the fields.
• GOD was clearly stating that HIS purpose was to show everyone that HIS power is the ultimate power that all should bow down to.

 

I believe GOD is warning Pharaoh to relent in his pursuit to have people bow down to him and to let people choose the one true GOD. I believe GOD wants us to do the same. Even if you and I were to build an audience who listens to us, we need to point them to GOD.

 

This plague is also a plague that will be used in the future. In the book of Revelation, hail is used as one of the final plagues on earth. Dealing with free will must be more difficult than we think. GOD provides a warning of what HE would do if Pharaoh did not relent his belief of being a god, or being in control.

 

GOD wants our faithfulness and surrender. HE gives us a choice to follow HIM or to be like Pharaoh, who would never surrender his belief. GOD pointed out that the people were being controlled by a tyrant. HE was in control the whole time.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS warning to Pharaoh about the hail?
• Is GOD raising you up for HIS purpose to guide people to HIM?
• Is there an opposing mindset that you can address by giving it to GOD

Response to Boils – Hard Heart

Response to Boils – Hard Heart

Exodus 9: ¹² But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh; and he did not heed them, just as the Lord had spoken to Moses.

 

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For the sixth time, Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not turn to GOD. He believed he was a god and the one and only true GOD let him believe it.

 

My Observations:

• Pharaoh refused to admit that GOD was in control.
• Pharaoh wanted to control people and situations.
• Pharaoh would rather have the people around him suffer than to surrender to GOD.

 

Five warnings have passed and six plagues fell on the people because Pharaoh would not relent. GOD could have easily killed Pharaoh, but HE was doing something bigger. GOD was taking down a mindset that a human can think of himself as a god.

 

There are two sides to GOD’s wish. First, GOD kept warning Pharaoh to let HIS people go, otherwise Pharaoh would know that GOD is in control of wrath. At the same time, GOD wanted the children of Israel to know that HE is the GOD of salvation, deliverance, provision, protection and healing. Pharaoh’s attitude is the warning to us. GOD wants surrender.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about Pharaoh’s response to boils on all the Egyptian’s bodies?
• Have you ever been put in a situation where things seem to be going wrong and you would not surrender to an apology or loving someone you may have avoided?
• Is it time to self-examine some things that GOD is trying to have you surrender to HIM?

Sixth Plague: Boils / Sixth Action to Dismantle a Mindset

Sixth Plague: Boils / Sixth Action to Dismantle a Mindset

Exodus 9: ⁸ So the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Take for yourselves handfuls of ashes from a furnace, and let Moses scatter it toward the heavens in the sight of Pharaoh. ⁹ And it will become fine dust in all the land of Egypt, and it will cause boils that break out in sores on man and beast throughout all the land of Egypt.” ¹⁰ Then they took ashes from the furnace and stood before Pharaoh, and Moses scattered them toward heaven. And they caused boils that break out in sores on man and beast. ¹¹ And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils, for the boils were on the magicians and on all the Egyptians. 

 

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GOD decided to skip the warning again. HE told Moses and Aaron to take handfuls of ashes from an Egyptian furnace and to scatter them in the air in front of Pharaoh. The ashes would become fine dust that would cause boils on humans and animals.

 

My Observations:

• GOD told Moses to scatter the ashes, not Aaron.
• GOD multiplied the ashes from a few handfuls to a large dust storm.
• The magicians were afraid to admit that this plague was far too great for them, so they hid themselves.

 

“So that you may know that I am the LORD,” was the goal of GOD all along. HE wanted Pharaoh to surrender his hold on the people by his godlike actions. GOD made a visible distinction between the Egyptians and the children of Egypt. HE made boils appear on the Egyptians and their animals that I believe they stole from the Israelites.

 

I believe GOD was making the hidden known by visible sores. You could not help but notice who was an Egyptian and who was an Israelite. I notice the magicians were singled out specifically. They could mimic a couple of plagues, but could not admit they needed GOD to save themselves from the boils, so they hid. The mindset of not being able to admit they needed GOD remained hidden in their hearts, but was clear by their actions. GOD was making the hidden known.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the plague of the boils?
• Have you hidden something from everyone and are trying to hide it from GOD?
• How is GOD making a distinction between your deliverance and those HE is delivering you from?

Response to Livestock Diseased – Hard Heart

Response to Livestock Diseased – Hard Heart

Exodus 9: ⁷ Then Pharaoh sent, and indeed, not even one of the livestock of the Israelites was dead. But the heart of Pharaoh became hard, and he did not let the people go.

 

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GOD killed all of the Egyptian livestock as HE promised. Pharaoh checked to see if it was only the Egyptian livestock that was affected or did it include the children of Israel. “Indeed” it was only the Egyptian livestock that was killed. Pharaoh’s reaction, a hard heart.

 

My Observations:

• Pharaoh faced his worst catastrophe and allowed pride of his position to not relent to GOD’s power.
• Pharaoh was not acting out of fear, rather he may have been trying to prove he was still in power.
• Pharaoh seemed to need to be in control at other people’s expense.

 

With the transportation, food and farm animals all being dead, Pharaoh had to make his own people suffer more by checking on the Israelites by foot. When the report came back that the Israelite livestock was not affected, Pharaoh believed he was a god even more. He probably said, “I can fix this.”

 

I believe Pharaoh devised a plan to take some of the Israelite animals by force. The Bible does not say this, but the next couple of plagues imply that the Egyptians obtained more animals. Since GOD is telling Moses what to write, HE omits the story about Pharaoh’s misuse of power and keeps the focus on how HE was dismantling the mindset that a human can be a god.

 

Pharaoh may have convinced himself that there was a power behind his title. Meanwhile, the people around him had to suffer. The more he dug into his belief, the more people around him suffered. The heart of Pharaoh was hurting his own. GOD remained in control and Pharaoh’s illusion of control was fading.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about Pharaoh’s response to the death of all Egyptian livestock?
• Have you made decisions that adversely affected people around you, yet you continued anyway?
• Can you surrender your decisions that ultimately affect people by seeking GOD for wisdom and changing your mindset?

Fifth Action to Dismantle a Mindset

Fifth Action to Dismantle a Mindset

Exodus 9: ⁶ So the Lord did this thing on the next day, and all the livestock of Egypt died; but of the livestock of the children of Israel, not one died.

 

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GOD told Moses to tell Pharaoh to let HIS people go for the fifth time. HE gave Pharaoh twenty-four hours to comply. The next day at the exact time GOD said, all of the livestock in Egypt died, but none of the livestock of the children of Israel were killed.

 

My Observations:

• GOD kept HIS promise.
• GOD could have killed the Egyptians, but instead HE killed their livestock to show HIS power.
• GOD protected the children of Israel by preserving their livestock.

 

You would think that four horrible plagues would be enough to change someone’s mind about thinking they were a god. I believe GOD was dismantling the belief system that a human should be worshiped. Humans still worship celebrities and political figures as gods without knowing it.

 

GOD took down their food source, transportation and security force all at once. I believe that GOD wiped out ALL of the Egyptian animals with a specific meaning to the Egyptians, namely power.

 

The Egyptian army may have had thousands of chariots and armed soldiers that would oppress the people. More than likely, the Egyptians would have to stoop to stealing from the children of Israel to get food, transportation and security back up and running. This is not written, but it is my guess. They needed to do this on foot. GOD took down their power.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS action of killing all of the Egyptian livestock.
• Do you believe GOD’s plan is thorough enough to include the trouble you are going through right now?
• Do you believe that GOD’s restoration of you will also include everything that was stolen from you?

Fifth Plague: Livestock Diseased

 

Fifth Plague: Livestock Diseased

Exodus 9: Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and tell him, ‘Thus says the Lord 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 be on your cattle in the field, on the horses, on the donkeys, on the camels, on the oxen, and on the sheep—a very severe pestilence. ⁴ And the Lord will make a difference between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt. So nothing shall die of all that belongs to the children of Israel.” ’ ” ⁵ Then the Lord appointed a set time, saying, “Tomorrow the Lord will do this thing in the land.”

 

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WAR between Pharaoh and GOD continued. This was a one-sided fight as GOD continued HIS Warning, Action Response (WAR) structure. This time GOD makes a distinction and says HE is the GOD of the Hebrews.

 

My Observations:

• GOD gave Pharaoh twenty-four hours to let HIS people go.
• GOD told Moses to tell Pharaoh that HE would kill all livestock of the Egyptians and leave the Hebrews livestock alone.
• GOD set a specific time that HE would perform the plague.

 

Having the illusion of control versus really having control are two very different things. Pharaoh had the title and humans followed him will all their hearts, BUT GOD was truly in control. HE said what HE would do to the livestock of the Egyptians and what time HE was going to do it.

 

GOD also made sure that Pharaoh knew HE was making a distinction between Egyptian livestock and those of the Israelites. This way they could not chalk it up to something that happened to everyone. GOD was specifically doing this plague to the Egyptians. They had to choose to follow GOD or gat a plague. GOD was tearing down a mindset of following Pharaoh.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the warning HE gave to Pharaoh?
• Has there ever been a time in your life where you refused to follow GOD’s way?
• When GOD has a plan for you that opposes your plan, do you surrender or keep going on your own plan?

Response to Flies – Hard Heart

Response to Flies – Hard Heart

Exodus 8: ²⁵ Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, “Go, sacrifice to your God in the land.”

 

²⁶ And Moses said, “It is not right to do so, for we would be sacrificing the abomination of the Egyptians to the Lord our God. If we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, then will they not stone us? ²⁷ We will go three days’ journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the Lord our God as He will command us.”

 

²⁸ So Pharaoh said, “I will let you go, that you may sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilderness; only you shall not go very far away. Intercede for me.”

 

²⁹ Then Moses said, “Indeed I am going out from you, and I will entreat the Lord, that the swarms of flies may depart tomorrow from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people. But let Pharaoh not deal deceitfully anymore in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the Lord.”

 

³⁰ So Moses went out from Pharaoh and entreated the Lord. ³¹ And the Lord did according to the word of Moses; He removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people. Not one remained. ³² But Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also; neither would he let the people go.

 

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Pharaoh, still trying to control the situation, told Moses and Aaron that they and the people could go and sacrifice to GOD, but they had to stay in Egypt. Moses explained that Hebrews sacrificing on Egyptian altars would cause the Egyptians to desire to kill them. He also explained that the journey to the place of GOD was only three days away. Pharaoh asked Moses to ask GOD to remove the flies and he would let the people go. He lied again.

 

My Observations:

• Pharaoh responded to Moses with bargaining the terms to get his way.
• Pharaoh still thought that he was in control and that GOD had limited power.
• Pharaoh lied to get his way and once the flies were gone, he did not let the people go.

 

Like a politician who wavers from their promises, Pharaoh lied to get rid of the flies and left the people in bondage. He lied before and he would lie again. He did not think his lies would be remembered by GOD. I believe that a hard heart is one that believes it can get away with lying by not telling the truth and lies of omission.

 

GOD needs a surrendered heart. We may hold onto sins. That is our nature. BUT GOD loves when we love HIM back. It’s not about managing sins. It’s about loving GOD who loved you first. Pharaoh lied and would be held accountable for his lie. GOD was dismantling ther stubbornness.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the lie Pharaoh told?
• Have you felt that GOD is harsh because HE has standards for you?
• Are you able to surrender more and more of your life to GOD, little by little, instead of fighting HIM to get your way?

Fourth Action to Dismantle a Mindset

Fourth Action to Dismantle a Mindset

Exodus 8: ²⁴ And the Lord did so. Thick swarms of flies came into the house of Pharaoh, into his servants’ houses, and into all the land of Egypt. The land was corrupted because of the swarms of flies.

 

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Twenty-four hours passed and Pharaoh did not let GOD’s people go. GOD allowed swarms of flies to overrun the land.

 

My Observations:

• GOD could have used poisonous snakes, but HE chose flies, which made the land diseased or corrupted.
• GOD seems to be addressing a mindset of the Egyptians by having overwhelming issues come at them that they could not handle.
• Part of GOD’s warning to the Egyptians is that they may know the HE is LORD.

 

It is interesting that GOD would allow a mindset to continue the way it did. The Egyptians believed that frogs and flies had superior powers than those they were trying to enslave. GOD used flies to make everything they touched, disgusting. Imagine one fly crawling on you. Now imagine twenty. Now imagine two hundred. Try to eat anything or drink anything or go to the bathroom.

 

The Egyptian admiration of flies would turn into horror, all because of a hardened heart. GOD wants you and me to see how important it is to keep a heart that is able to be guided by HIM. A hard heart is one that does not believe it needs GOD. Pharoah thought he was a god. The one and true GOD was dismantling that belief. HE did not send flies to the Land of Goshen.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS action of sending the flies?
• Are there parts of your life that need GOD and you have not asked HIM into your life?
• How is GOD protecting you from a mindset that opposes HIM?

Fourth Plague: Flies

Fourth Plague: Flies

Exodus 8: ²⁰ And the Lord said to Moses, “Rise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh as he comes out to the water. Then say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me. ²¹ Or else, if you will not let My people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and your servants, on your people and into your houses. The houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground on which they stand. ²² And in that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, in order that you may know that I am the Lord in the midst of the land. ²³ I will make a difference between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall be.” ’ ” 

 

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GOD returns to HIS Warning Action Response (WAR) structure by giving Pharaoh another warning through Moses. HE told Moses to meet Pharaoh early in the morning when he comes out to the water and warn him to let HIS people go that they may serve HIM. If Pharaoh would not comply, GOD would send swarms of flies.

 

My Observations:

• GOD gave Pharaoh the fourth warning to let HIS people go to serve HIM.
• GOD gave Pharaoh twenty-four hours to comply.
• GOD told Pharaoh what would happen if he did not comply.

 

Flies were not worshiped by the Egyptians, but they were revered as tenacious. This is similar to a sports team being named after an animal. One fly would be admired for its bothersome nature. But what would happen when billions of flies would be released.

 

GOD wanted HIS people to serve HIM versus Pharaoh. The plague of the flies was not lethal. GOD never said, “Or you will die.” HE was warning Pharaoh that HE would use what they revered as tenacious to show how stubborn they were being. There is a difference between tenacity and stubbornness. The WAR against GOD would prove futile.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the warning HE gave Pharaoh?
• Have you ever refused to do something GOD wanted you to do or surrender?
• Is GOD lovingly changing your mindset by allowing the same trial to repeat in your life?

Response to Lice – Hard Heart

Response to Lice – Hard Heart

Exodus 8: ¹⁸ Now the magicians so worked with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not. So there were lice on man and beast. ¹⁹ Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, just as the Lord had said.

 

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Feeling confident that they could match what Aaron did, the magicians tried to make lice out of dust, but they could not. They told Pharaoh that what Aaron did had to be done by GOD’s power. This time Pharaoh hardened his heart without the evidence from his magicians.

 

My Observations:

• Pharaoh’s magicians tapped into supernatural evil abilities and were able to do two things Aaron could do.
• Pharaoh’s magicians could not perform this supernatural action.
• Pharaoh still believed he was a god and refused to let the people go.

 

Lice may have been symbolic of the mistreatment of people. Life came from dust for the second time. The first was Adam. GOD did not breathe a soul into the lice, making this act of the creation of life different.

 

The magicians recognized that their magic was no match for GOD’s power. They tried over and over to create life without GOD, and were unable to do so. This is still the pursuit of humans to this very day. From this plague on, the magicians could no longer perform any of the supernatural thing’s GOD did. Pharaoh’s response was to remain in the position where he thought he was in control. GOD was not dealing with Pharaoh’s actions directly, rather HE was taking down a belief system.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about Pharaoh’s response to the magician’s inability to mimic HIS plague?
• Has there been clear evidence that GOD can do anything and you still do not believe HE can do it for you?
• Are you able to place your hope in GOD despite the odds?

Third Plague: Lice / Third Action to Dismantle a Mindset

Third Plague: Lice / Third Action to Dismantle a Mindset

Exodus 8: ¹⁶ So the Lord said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your rod, and strike the dust of the land, so that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.’ ” ¹⁷ And they did so. For Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod and struck the dust of the earth, and it became lice on man and beast. All the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.

 

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GOD does a switch up and does not give a warning to Pharaoh. HE goes from making frogs overrun the land to having Moses tell Aaron to use his rod to create lice. Aaron obeyed Moses and struck the dust and lice were everywhere.

 

My Observations:

• The Egyptians looked down on the Hebrews and could not even eat with them because they felt the Hebrews were unclean.
• Lice was a form of uncleanliness to the Egyptians.
• Aaron’s rod was used for the third time to do something supernatural.

 

Shortly after digging wells to get fresh water, frogs came in epic proportions. GOD listened to Moses and allowed the frogs to die. The land stank, but eventually the Egyptians cleaned up the rotting frogs. Just when they thought their homes were restored, GOD told Moses to tell Aaron to strike the dust. Lice were everywhere.

 

This action by GOD came without warning. The first two plagues were used to tell Pharaoh to let GOD’s people go. But this plague was probably performed in front of Pharaoh and his magicians, so that they would know GOD did it. GOD was dismantling the attitude of superiority.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD went directly into the next plague without warning Pharaoh?
• Have you learned a skillset and felt superior to other’s who do not possess the skill?
• Does GOD see you as inferior to other people and if not, then do you feel you are superior?

Response to Frogs – Hard Heart

 

Response to Frogs – Hard Heart

Exodus 8: ⁸ Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, “Entreat the Lord that He may take away the frogs from me and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may sacrifice to the Lord.”

 

⁹ And Moses said to Pharaoh, “Accept the honor of saying when I shall intercede for you, for your servants, and for your people, to destroy the frogs from you and your houses, that they may remain in the river only.”

 

¹⁰ So he said, “Tomorrow.” And he said, “Let it be according to your word, that you may know that there is no one like the Lord our God. ¹¹ And the frogs shall depart from you, from your houses, from your servants, and from your people. They shall remain in the river only.”

 

¹² Then Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh. And Moses cried out to the Lord concerning the frogs which He had brought against Pharaoh. ¹³ So the Lord did according to the word of Moses. And the frogs died out of the houses, out of the courtyards, and out of the fields. ¹⁴ They gathered them together in heaps, and the land stank. ¹⁵ But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not heed them, as the Lord had said.

 

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Frogs were everywhere. Pharaoh begged Moses to pray to the LORD to remove the frogs. He said he would let the people go if the frogs went away. Moses prayed to the LORD and GOD did what Moses said.

 

My Observations:

• Pharaoh was in trouble and said whatever it would take to get out of trouble.
• Pharaoh did not ask his magicians to get rid of the frogs.
• GOD revealed HE listened to Moses.

 

Seeing his land become overrun with frogs, Pharaoh lied to get his way. We have done the same thing when we told GOD “I will never do that again.” Moses prayed to the LORD and may have even specifically said, “Leave the frogs in the house and let them die there.” GOD listened to Moses’s prayer and killed the frogs.

 

Pharaoh, who made additional work for the Hebrews, now had to clean up frogs. The Egyptian people had to have seen the futility in praying to the frog god. They also had just spent an entire week digging for water that had turned to blood. They were tired and their houses and land stank with dead frog smell. Pharaoh’s response was a hard heart, which meant he did not care that his people were tired, nor would he let the Hebrews go.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD remind Moses about Pharaoh’s response to the frog plague?
• Have you ever promised something to GOD and took back your promise when you got relief?
• Can you see the value in keeping your promises to the LORD?

Second Action to Dismantle a Mindset

 

Second Action to Dismantle a Mindset

Exodus 8: ⁵ Then the Lord spoke to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your hand with your rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up on the land of Egypt.’ ” ⁶ So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt. ⁷ And the magicians did so with their ^[a]enchantments, and brought up frogs on the land of Egypt.

 

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After giving Pharaoh the chance to let HIS people go, GOD spoke to Moses and told him to execute the action HE warned Pharaoh about. Moses told Aaron to use his rod a second time.

 

My Observations:

• Pharaoh was warned, now GOD worked through Moses who worked through Aaron to produce frogs.
• Pharaoh’s magicians were able to produce frogs as well.
• Aaron’s rod was used for the second time.

 

The second mindset GOD was dismantling was the deep focus on placing hope in idols. The Egyptians would place their hope and trust in a human or an object, ignoring GOD completely. They revered frogs as gods. We sometimes treat humans or things as idols.

 

Meanwhile, the true GOD produced so many frogs that the land was overtaken by them. But to disprove the power of GOD, the magicians were able to produce frogs as well. We treat GOD the same way as the magicians when we downplay anything that should be viewed as miraculous. Satan’s goal is to have you and me think that we are gods and that the things we do have no connection to HIS power. GOD was taking down this mindset.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the action HE took against Egypt?
• Have you ever thought you were in control when it was really GOD?
• Can you give GOD HIS credit in the accomplishments you have achieved?

Second Plague: Frogs

Second Plague: Frogs

Exodos 8: And the Lord spoke to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me. ² But if you refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all your territory with frogs. ³ So the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into your house, into your bedroom, on your bed, into the houses of your servants, on your people, into your ovens, and into your kneading bowls. ⁴ And the frogs shall come up on you, on your people, and on all your servants.” ’ ”

 

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GOD sends Moses with the third warning to tell Pharaoh. HE warned him to “Let MY people go,” otherwise frogs will overrun the area.

 

My Observations:

• Pharaoh was about to face the second plague and could respond with obedience to GOD.
• GOD was clear in HIS words to Pharaoh.
• GOD did not speak directly to Pharaoh, but to HIS chosen leader Moses.

 

Frogs were revered by the Egyptians as gods. They worshiped frogs more than humans. They treated the Hebrews worse than frogs. GOD decided to warn Pharaoh first before sending frogs. If Pharaoh would change his heart, then frogs would not plague the land. But if he does not change his heart, then frogs will be everywhere.

 

GOD shows HIS sense of humor and said HE would put frogs “on your people.” This is funny and scary at the same time. GOD would produce so many frogs that there would be no place to go. The frogs represent a useless idol. They would have so many useless frogs and no way to get rid of them. They would place their hope in frogs but nothing would come from it.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS warning to Pharaoh about the frogs?
• Have you ever placed your hope in a thing or a human versus placing your hope in GOD?
• Is your hope in GOD strong enough to keep you from placing your hope in something or someone else?

Response to Blood – Hard Heart

Response to Blood – Hard Heart

Exodus 7: ²² Then the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments; and Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, as the Lord had said. ²³ And Pharaoh turned and went into his house. Neither was his heart moved by this. ²⁴ So all the Egyptians dug all around the river for water to drink, because they could not drink the water of the river. ²⁵ And seven days passed after the Lord had struck the river.

 

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Pharaoh’s magicians were also able to turn water into blood. Pharaoh was not impressed with what GOD did through Aaron’s rod and the command that Moses gave to Aaron. He went into his house, ignoring Moses and Aaron. The Egyptians had to dig for water near the river.

 

My Observations:

• Pharaoh was not impressed with what GOD did as the first plague.
• Pharaoh’s magicians were able to do something supernatural which “solidified” his thinking that he was still a god.
• Pharaoh took away the straw for an enormous quota of bricks which made the Hebrews work harder; meanwhile, GOD took away the river, causing “all” the Egyptians to have to work hard just to drink.

 

This was the second warning to let GOD’s people go. The first caused Pharaoh to take away the straw for the brick quota. Pharaoh’s response to this plague was a hardened heart towards GOD. He was not impressed by the little trick that GOD did, or so he thought it was a trick.

 

He did not know that GOD was methodically removing a mindset that existed in the nation of Egypt. To keep the mindset of pride going, Pharaoh made “all” the Egyptians dig for water. Meanwhile, the Hebrews had plenty of fresh water to drink in the land of Goshen. The Egyptians had to work harder than the cruel directive Pharaoh gave to the Hebrews. GOD saw Pharaoh’s response before he gave it.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about Pharaoh’s response to the plague of blood?
• Is fear driving you to a place where you are unable to change?
• Is your reliance on your own abilities getting you nowhere, causing you to seek GOD’s help?

First Action to Dismantle a Mindset

First Action to Dismantle a Mindset

Exodus 7: ¹⁹ Then the Lord spoke to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Take your rod and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt, over their streams, over their rivers, over their ponds, and over all their pools of water, that they may become blood. And there shall be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in buckets of wood and pitchers of stone.’ ” ²⁰ And Moses and Aaron did so, just as the Lord commanded. So he lifted up the rod and struck the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants. And all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. ²¹ The fish that were in the river died, the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink the water of the river. So there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.

 

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GOD told Moses to tell Pharaoh to let HIS people go. That was the warning. But now it was time for action. GOD told Moses to speak to Aaron. So he did. Aaron took his rod and touched the water in the river and all water turned into blood. Even water in buckets and stone pitchers turned into blood.

 

My Observations:

• GOD gave Pharaoh a chance to let the people go, but Pharaoh’s heart became hard and would not surrender to GOD.
• GOD said to Moses that he would be like GOD to Aaron, so Moses commanded Aaron to strike the water.
• GOD started the process of dismantling a belief system that openly opposed HIM.

 

When GOD made the promise to Noah that HE would not wipe out humans with a flood in the future, I believe HE was also saying HE was going to allow humans to choose HIM as GOD. Unfortunately, some humans saw themselves as god.

 

This belief system existed with the Egyptians. Pharaoh was revered as a god. But the true GOD was dismantling this belief. HIS first action was to turn the life sustaining water into blood. There was no escape. GOD was delivering HIS people from those who had a mindset that they could be a god. HE may have used blood on the first plague to show we need the blood of JESUS to sustain physical life as well as eternal.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses of the action HE took against Pharaoh when turning water into blood?
• Have you taken your eyes off of GOD and placed them in a limiting belief?
• What limiting belief do you have that makes you fear, worry or doubt that GOD can deliver you?

First Plague: Water Becomes Blood

First Plague: Water Becomes Blood

Exodus 7: ¹⁴ So the Lord said to Moses: “Pharaoh’s heart is hard; he refuses to let the people go. ¹⁵ Go to Pharaoh in the morning, when he goes out to the water, and you shall stand by the river’s bank to meet him; and the rod which was turned to a serpent you shall take in your hand. ¹⁶ And you shall say to him, ‘The Lord God of the Hebrews has sent me to you, saying, “Let My people go, that they may serve Me in the wilderness”; but indeed, until now you would not hear! ¹⁷ Thus says the Lord: “By this you shall know that I am the Lord. Behold, I will strike the waters which are in the river with the rod that is in my hand, and they shall be turned to blood. ¹⁸ And the fish that are in the river shall die, the river shall stink, and the Egyptians will loathe to drink the water of the river.” ’ ”

 

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GOD spoke to Moses and let him know that Pharaoh’s heart was hard and he would not let the people go. GOD gave Moses a warning to tell Pharaoh what HE was about to do.

 

My Observations:

• GOD seemed to use a structure of Warning, Action and Response (WAR).
• GOD was taking down a mindset versus a particular nation.
• Pharaoh would have to go through nine other plagues.

 

To take down a mindset, GOD would give Pharaoh a warning. HE would then take action. And Pharaoh would respond. Pharaoh was at WAR with GOD and fighting a losing battle. The first plague was turning the river into blood.

 

This was the lifeline of commerce, cleanliness and food. I also believe that GOD was responding to a previous Pharaoh who demanded that the Hebrew male children be thrown in the river. GOD would use the WAR pattern nine more times until Pharaoh let the people go. This was the first warning.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS warning to Pharaoh?
• Have you ever been too scared to heed a warning and ultimately got hit with the problem?
• Is it possible that GOD is warning you to surrender your plan to HIM?

More Powerful Than Magic

More Powerful Than Magic

Exodus 7: ⁸ Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, ⁹ “When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘Show a miracle for yourselves,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your rod and cast it before Pharaoh, and let it become a serpent.’ ” ¹⁰ So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and they did so, just as the Lord commanded. And Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent.

 

¹¹ But Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; so the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. ¹² For every man threw down his rod, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods. ¹³ And Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, as the Lord had said.

 

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Moses and Aaron did a lot of walking in their lives. They were eighty and eighty-three, respectively. They walked down Mount Hebron or Sinai and went back to Pharaoh. They performed the miracle of the rod turning into a snake. The Egyptian magicians easily did the same. But Aaron’s rod swallowed up all their rods.

 

My Observations:

• GOD demonstrated that there is an evil layer of power that is higher than humanity, but lower than HIS power.
• GOD knew Pharaoh would ask for Moses and Aaron to prove their power.
• GOD was in the process of dismantling a belief that people could be gods.

 

This set of scripture scares me. It shows there is an evil layer of power that humans can tap into that helps them do supernatural things. BUT GOD is not scared at all. HE was about to easily defeat the Egyptians and can easily protect you and me.

 

Magic is real, BUT GOD’s power is above magic. We try to reduce GOD to magical powers as shown in Hollywood, BUT HE is so much more. HE is all knowing, all seeing, all powerful and lives everywhere. HE cannot be stopped, defeated or opposed. Aaron’s rod is a demonstration of how GOD allows us to be part of HIS plan. Any magic was defeated because of GOD.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the magicians he faced?
• Have you ever encountered strange occurrences that seemed to oppose your efforts to simply serve and worship GOD?
• Can you focus on the almighty GOD to protect you, guide you and raise you up?

 

Preparing to See Pharaoh

Preparing to See Pharaoh

Exodus 7: So the Lord said to Moses: “See, I have made you as God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet. ² You shall speak all that I command you. And Aaron your brother shall tell Pharaoh to send the children of Israel out of his land. ³ And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt. ⁴ But Pharaoh will not heed you, so that I may lay My hand on Egypt and bring My armies and My people, the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. ⁵ And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the children of Israel from among them.”

 

⁶ Then Moses and Aaron did so; just as the Lord commanded them, so they did. ⁷ And Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three years old when they spoke to Pharaoh.

 

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After telling GOD that he could not speak well, Moses and Aaron waited on HIS response. GOD tole Moses that HE was placing him over Aaron. Moses GOD then said what HE would do and how Pharaoh would react.

 

My Observations:

• GOD would handle the words to say to Pharaoh by giving them to Moses, who would give them to Aaron.
• GOD uses armies for the first time in reference to HIS people.
• GOD wanted Pharaoh to know that HE is the LORD.

 

There are two ways to know that GOD is GOD. The first way is the GOD of wrath that Pharaoh was about to experience. The second way is the GOD who cares and loves us deeply. GOD was taking down more than a particular nation. HE was taking down an attitude. HE wanted Moses and Aaron to be confident that HE was in control.

 

GOD would help Pharaoh believe that HE was in charge. This would “solidify” his thinking and “solidify” his fate. In his heart, he would believe he is a god and that he was right for doing so. GOD would help him believe this by not entering his heart. GOD was about to do ten plagues and Pharaoh would not relent. Moses was eighty when he spoke in front of Pharaoh.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD remind Moses about HIS words of comfort?
• Are you overwhelmed with the plan GOD has on your life?
• If you are overwhelmed, can you think of what you are holding onto that needs to be in GOD’s hands?

But I Need Help

But I Need Help

Exodus 6: ²⁸ And it came to pass, on the day the Lord spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt, ²⁹ that the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “I am the Lord. Speak to Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say to you.”

³⁰ But Moses said before the Lord, “Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh heed me?”

 

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Moses and Aaron went back to Mount Horeb to speak to the LORD. HE told them to go back and tell Pharaoh to “Let MY people go.” Moses remembered this encounter, but deviated from the story to list a genealogy. He gets back to the action by talking to GOD, telling HIM he does not speak well.

 

My Observations:

• Moses seemed like he was very humble in his assessment of his abilities.
• Moses presented his shortcomings to the LORD as if HE did not know.
• GOD allowed Moses to work within free will, asking HIM for needs that align to GOD.

 

Moses wanted to align to GOD’s vision, but understood that it may take someone who could convince or persuade Pharaoh to let GOD’s people go. Moses thought it was going to be a negotiation, rather than a set of ten plagues that would drive Pharaoh to make the people leave.

 

Moses’s assumption was that his plan would need eloquent speech, when it really did not. Aaron’s words are barely written. Moses could have said what Aaron said, but GOD allowed Moses to ask for something he may not have needed. GOD provided Aaron to go with him.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about his statement of lack and inability?
• Have you ever told GOD that you do not have what it takes to complete HIS plan?
• Have you forgotten that GOD has included you in HIS plan that will always work for the good of those who love HIM?

For and Against

For and Against

Exodus 6: ²⁰ Now Amram took for himself Jochebed, his father’s sister, as wife; and she bore him Aaron and Moses. And the years of the life of Amram were one hundred and thirty-seven. ²¹ The sons of Izhar were Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri. ²² And the sons of Uzziel were Mishael, Elzaphan, and Zithri. ²³ Aaron took to himself Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Nahshon, as wife; and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. ²⁴ And the sons of Korah were Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph. These are the families of the Korahites. ²⁵ Eleazar, Aaron’s son, took for himself one of the daughters of Putiel as wife; and she bore him Phinehas. These are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites according to their families.

 

²⁶ These are the same Aaron and Moses to whom the Lord said, “Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies.”²⁷ These are the ones who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring out the children of Israel from Egypt. These are the same Moses and Aaron.

 

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Continuing with the abrupt genealogy, Moses gets to his parents. We see that Aaron is older, then he states that his father lived to be the same age as Levi. At first it looks like another list of names. But the list has gaps, so the list may be saying something other than history.

 

My Observations:

• Hebron, Kohat’s son, is missing from this list.
• Nadab and Abihu, Aaron’s sons, did not have any detail.
• Korah was mentioned prominently and so was Phinehas.

 

“Why these two people?” I had to ask. Later we will see that the Korahites rebelled against Moses and Phinehas was trustworthy. The missing names make sense when looking at this list from the root of the problem and the root of the solution, point of view. Moses may have written this book after going through the rebellion written in Numbers.

 

Phinehas killed an Israelite man, Zimri, and a Midianite woman, Kozbi, who were committing sin in the camp. Korah, on the other hand, eventually challenged Moses and Aaron’s leadership and priesthood. The Korahites were swallowed up by the earth after the rebellion. “Where is Hebron, Miriam and other people that should be on the list? You may ask. I believe this list is not about lineage but about where did the problem begin and who stayed by my side.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about this list of people?
• Have you been in crowds who were for GOD and crowds that seemed against HIM?
• Are you looking at GOD’s calling on your life or looking at what is happening with other people?

Special From Nothing Special

 Special From Nothing Special

Exodus 6: ¹⁴ These are the heads of their fathers’ houses: The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. These are the families of Reuben. ¹⁵ And the sons of Simeon were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman. These are the families of Simeon. ¹⁶ These are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. And the years of the life of Levi were one hundred and thirty-seven. ¹⁷ The sons of Gershon were Libni and Shimi according to their families. ¹⁸ And the sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. And the years of the life of Kohath were one hundred and thirty-three. ¹⁹ The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of Levi according to their generations.

 

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Generations after Adam and Eve, GOD spoke to Abraham. HE promised HE would make his name a great nation. This promise was passed down to his son Isaac and then passed to his grandson Jacob. Leah was given to Jacob as his wife. They had Reuben, Simeon and Levi as children, amongst others. This is the family of Aaron and Moses.

 

My Observations:

• GOD must have told Moses to write down the tribe leaders names to prepare him for what HE was about to do.
• Simeon and Levi murdered Shechem and the men of that town, defending Dinah, their sister, who was assaulted.
• Levi was also involved with selling his brother Joseph into slavery, which ultimately caused everyone to move to Egypt.

 

After the Garden of Eden, humanity took a beating. Their belief in their own ways and the appeal to their own culture, left GOD out of the picture. The further away we get from the garden, the more we forget who GOD is. GOD abruptly interjects a list of the first three families of Leah and Jacob.

 

I had to ask “Why is this list here?” I believe GOD was about to establish restoration of Levi. Jacob did not curse Levi, but his blessing said the tribe would be “scattered” because of Levi’s violence. Amazingly enough, the tribe of Levi would be know as a tribe of priests who would carry the Law of Moses. GOD restores.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD abruptly go into detail about the genealogy of Reuben, Simeon and Levi to Moses?
• Is your history important to GOD?
• Do you believe that GOD is actively restoring you and repairing your past?

When No One Agrees with the Plan

 

When No One Agrees with the Plan

Exodus 6: ¹⁰ And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ¹¹ “Go in, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the children of Israel go out of his land.”

 

¹² And Moses spoke before the Lord, saying, “The children of Israel have not heeded me. How then shall Pharaoh heed me, for I am of uncircumcised lips?”

 

¹³ Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, and gave them a command^[j] for the children of Israel and for Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.

 

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Moses took Aaron with him to meet GOD on Mount Horeb. GOD had to give them reassurance that HIS plan would work. Moses told GOD that things were getting worse after their first meeting with Pharaoh. He said the children of Israel were hurt and scared. He then said he does not speak eloquently.

 

My Observations:

• Pharaoh put his full resistance on letting the slaves go.
• The children of Israel were so scared that they resisted being let go.
• GOD said to Moses and Aaron with a command this time, that the children of Israel would be let go.

 

Once GOD puts a plan in place, there is no force, action or time that can prevent it from happening. Moses and Aaron were included in GOD’s plan and saw themselves as tiny, unspoken and powerless. BUT GOD was not going to use their strength or abilities.

 

We sometimes forget that GOD has the power and we have the obedience. When GOD says to do something regarding HIS plan of deliverance, our response needs to be with obedience. Moses was scared and rightfully so. He murdered an Egyptian year’s prior. He only had a stick and a brother. This looked impossible. BUT GOD knew HE was the master of the impossible.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS conversation with him and his brother regarding the plan to free the slaves?
• Have you focused too much on your own abilities and deficits to believe that GOD is in control?
• Is today the day you will take your eyes off of your abilities and trust that GOD is the power and the glory, forever?

Seven I Wills

Seven I Wills

Exodus 6: ⁵ And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel whom the Egyptians keep in bondage, and I have remembered My covenant. ⁶ Therefore say to the children of Israel: ‘I am the Lord; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. ⁷ I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. ⁸ And I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and I will give it to you as a heritage: I am the Lord.’ ” ⁹ So Moses spoke thus to the children of Israel; but they did not heed Moses, because of anguish of spirit and cruel bondage.

 

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GOD continues HIS reassurance to Moses. First, HE said that Pharaoh was no match for HIM. Then HE told Moses who HE is. Now GOD states what HE was going to do.

 

My Observations:

• GOD hears all groanings that are caused by oppression of HIS people.
• GOD keeps every promise HE makes.
• GOD says “I will” seven times to show that HIS plan is complete.

 

Here are the seven “I will's”

1. I will bring you our from under the burdens of the Egyptians
2. I will rescue you from their bondage
3. I will redeem you
4. I will take you as MY people
5. I will be your GOD
6. I will bring you into the land I swore
7. I will give it to you as a heritage

 

What I notice is there is nothing required of any person for GOD to execute HIS plan of deliverance. When GOD says “I will” it means it’s going to happen exactly the way HE said it would. GOD not only swore by HIS name, HE sealed it seven times with HIS promises. GOD loves the number seven. HE mentions HIS seven SPIRITS in the books of Isaiah and Revelation.

 

Moses told the children of Israel what GOD said, but they did not believe him. They were so oppressed that they could not hear what GOD had to say. This is a real feeling all of us can fall into. But their feelings mattered to GOD enough that HE decided HE would take care of everything and they did not have to worry. GOD sealed HIS promise seven times.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses of HIS promises?
• Has GOD made promises to you that have not come to pass and you are so focused on your problem that you have take your eyes off of HIS promise?
• When GOD makes a promise, do you get distracted by life and stop believing in HIS promise or do you press forward with trust?

I Swear by MY Name

I Swear by MY Name

Exodus 6: Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh. For with a strong hand he will let them go, and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land.”

 

² And God spoke to Moses and said to him: “I am the Lord. ³ I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name Lord I was not known to them. ⁴ I have also established My covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, in which they were strangers. 

 

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Moses went back to see GOD, possibly on Mount Horeb. He told GOD that Pharaoh had turned up the cruelty after he said to Pharaoh, “Let MY people go.” GOD responded to Moses by telling him the promise HE made and restated HIS name.

 

My Observations:

• GIOD told Moses that not only will Pharaoh let the people go, he would force them out.
• GOD restated HIS name “YHWH” meaning Yahweh, meaning “I AM WHO I AM.”
• GOD restated the promise that the land of Canaan would be given to HIS people.

 

Problems with the plan immediately popped up when Pharaoh showed some resistance. GOD told Moses that HE met with generations of people, so Pharaoh cannot outlive HIM. HE also states that HE is GOD and that nothing can stop HIS plan.

 

GOD swore by HIS own name that HIS promise would be kept. Nothing can stop the great I AM. Moses was having a hard time being the spokesperson for GOD. You may feel the same way. BUT GOD promises are never broken. HE is who HE says HE is.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about what HE was going to do with HIS deliverance?
• Has GOD promised you anything and swore by HIS name that it would happen?
• Will you believe in GOD’s promises because HE swore by HIS name that it would happen?