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.

 

============

 

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?