Tenth Action to Dismantle a Mindset

Tenth Action to Dismantle a Mindset

Exodus 12: ²⁹ And it came to pass at midnight that the Lord struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock. ³⁰ So Pharaoh rose in the night, he, all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not one dead.

 

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

 

After warning the children of Israel to remember the Passover, GOD did what HE said HE would do. HE struck all the firstborn of the people in the land of Egypt who did not put blood on their doorposts. No matter where a person was, the plague still happened.

 

My Observations:

• GOD gave nine opportunities for Pharaoh and his servants to change their minds.
• GOD was dismantling a mindset that a human can be a god.
• GOD used the values of the Egyptians to demonstrate HIS power over their beliefs.

 

Not only was GOD addressing a mindset within the Egyptians, HE was also addressing the same mindset within the children of Israel. It was never okay to place a human above GOD. Free will had gone too far. Humans placed their own thoughts above GOD’s ways. This made slavery a good idea.

 

A group of people could be looked at as servants while others remained superior. GOD saw this and was appalled. Harmony with humanity was disrupted by cruel behavior and abuse of power. GOD ended with a final plague that would break the Egyptians and those who did not put blood on the doorposts. GOD introduced HIS plan of salvation during the tenth plague. JESUS would become the sacrificial Lamb that would save humanity. HIS grace is available to you and me.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS action of killing the firstborn in Egypt?
• Have you delayed having a relationship with GOD because of how someone present HIM or perhaps a misunderstanding of the grace HE has shown you?
• Are you ready to surrender your mindset and allow GOD to direct your path?

Tenth Plague: Death of Firstborn – Warning Part 4 (Blood on Doorposts)

 

Tenth Plague: Death of Firstborn – Warning Part 4 (Blood on Doorposts)

Exodus 12:²¹ Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb. ²² And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning. ²³ For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you. ²⁴ And you shall observe this thing as an ordinance for you and your sons forever. ²⁵ It will come to pass when you come to the land which the Lord will give you, just as He promised, that you shall keep this service. ²⁶ And it shall be, when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ ²⁷ that you shall say, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice of the Lord, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and delivered our households.’ ” So the people bowed their heads and worshiped. ²⁸ Then the children of Israel went away and did so; just as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.

 

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

 

GOD provided very specific instructions to Moses about what was about to happen. Moses collected the elders of Israel and told them what to do. They had to place the blood of an unblemished lamb specifically on the top and two sides of the door posts. They obeyed.

 

My Observations:

• GOD was announcing the need for JESUS to die on the cross.
• GOD made a distinction between the Egyptians and the children of Israel during the plagues, but this time HE needed an outward showing of blood in three spots.
• JESUS would proceed through the streets and look at the mark of belief and HE would not allow the angel of death to enter that household.

 

Anyone who believed would place the blood on the door and the LORD would declare that household saved from the plague of death. “Belief” is the everlasting ordinance. Our belief in JESUS as LORD and Savior gives us a Passover from eternal death.

 

The markings include the FATHER, SON and HOLY SPIRIT and the arrangement on the doorposts represent the outstretched hands of JESUS on the cross. This symbolic gesture would save an entire family from tremendous grief.

 

Moses could not tell everyone himself. He had to enlist people to spread the word. GOD does the same with you and me. HE wants you too tell people that JESUS not only saves, but guides people who believe in wisdom and knowledge and understanding.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the placement of the blood on the doorposts?
• Is there a symbolic gesture you can do that publicly declares you belong to GOD?
• What public declaration can you make to show the world you believe you need JESUS daily?

Tenth Plague: Death of Firstborn – Warning Part 3 (Feast of Unleavened Bread)

 

Tenth Plague: Death of Firstborn – Warning Part 3 (Feast of Unleavened Bread)

Exodus 12: ¹⁴ ‘So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance. ¹⁵ Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses. For whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel. ¹⁶ On the first day there shall be a holy convocation, and on the seventh day there shall be a holy convocation for you. No manner of work shall be done on them; but that which everyone must eat—that only may be prepared by you. ¹⁷ So you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this same day I will have brought your armies out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you shall observe this day throughout your generations as an everlasting ordinance. ¹⁸ In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty-first day of the month at evening. ¹⁹ For seven days no leaven shall be found in your houses, since whoever eats what is leavened, that same person shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a stranger or a native of the land. ²⁰ You shall eat nothing leavened; in all your dwellings you shall eat unleavened bread.’ ”

 

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

 

GOD continues with HIS instructions to Moses to give to the children of Israel. HE gives precise instructions regarding the Passover Feast of Unleavened Bread.

 

My Observations:

• GOD instituted the Feast of Unleavened Bread for the Israelites to follow until sin is abolished.
• GOD wanted the people to celebrate the start and finish of this week.
• GOD seems to equate leaven or yeast with false doctrine and the poisonous mindset of religious leaders who wanted followers versus making followers of GOD.

 

Ever since the garden of Edan, GOD was fighting a mindset that there is no need for HIM or no need to place faith in HIM. Even before religious leaders were established, GOD put together an annual feast that would help the leaders recognize that GOD needs to be followed, not man. Unfortunately, religious leaders focused people on activity versus heartfelt belief, causing people to think they could earn GOD.

 

JESUS would later say, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” Their doctrine did not point to JESUS as the Messiah; rather, they were focused on building selfish kingdoms, misusing HIS name. For seven days, GOD wanted purity and to focus on HIM with no manipulation from human mindsets.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS institution of the Feast of Unleavened Bread?
• Have you wanted something so badly, that you believed you could manipulate GOD by following a religious leader?
• Can you focus your mindset on GOD as your leader versus your favorite religious or political leader?

Tenth Plague: Death of Firstborn – Warning Part 2 (Passover Meal)

Tenth Plague: Death of Firstborn – Warning Part 2 (Passover Meal)

Exodus 12: Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, ² “This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you. ³ Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: ‘On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household. ⁴ And if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it according to the number of the persons; according to each man’s need you shall make your count for the lamb. ⁵ Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats. ⁶ Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight. ⁷ And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it. ⁸ Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. ⁹ Do not eat it raw, nor boiled at all with water, but roasted in fire—its head with its legs and its entrails. ¹⁰ You shall let none of it remain until morning, and what remains of it until morning you shall burn with fire. ¹¹ And thus you shall eat it: with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. So you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover.

 

¹² ‘For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. ¹³ Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

.

 

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

 

GOD turns from speaking to Pharaoh to speaking to Israel. HE told Moses and Aaron how to prepare the Passover Feast. This would be a feast that is performed to this day.

 

My Observations:

• GOD was using a double entendre for the Passover meal; recognizing the historical significance of HIS grace for those who put the blood on their door, and the prophetic significance of JESUS being the Sacrificial Lamb / Scapegoat, shedding HIS blood to save mankind.
• GOD instituted the need for an outward sign of obedience by requiring a specific marking from a specific animal.
• GOD mentioned HE was executing judgment against “all the gods of Egypt” to Israel so they would not worship humans or idols.

 

There seemed to be a lot more going on here with GOD’s statement. We can get lost in the plagues of Egypt and forget that GOD made a promise to Abraham that HE would make a great nation out of his descendants. GOD not only speaks prophetically about JESUS dying for the sins of mankind, but HE mentions the need for a being who needed to be perfect to open the scrolls mentioned in Revelation.

 

A lamb without a blemish would be the requirement of the being who could open the judgment scrolls. JESUS was that lamb. But Moses had no clue about what GOD was talking about. It wasn’t about punishment; rather, salvation! GOD was taking down the mindset that humans could be gods and at the same time HE was announcing that HE would save you and me!

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS prophecy?
• What outward action is GOD calling you to do to show you are related to HIM?
• How do you actively remember what GOD has done for you?

Tenth Plague: Death of Firstborn

Tenth Plague: Death of Firstborn

Exodus 11: And the Lord said to Moses, “I will bring one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. Afterward he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will surely drive you out of here altogether. ² Speak now in the hearing of the people, and let every man ask from his neighbor and every woman from her neighbor, articles of silver and articles of gold.” ³ And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people.

 

⁴ Then Moses said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘About midnight I will go out into the midst of Egypt; ⁵ and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the animals. ⁶ Then there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as was not like it before, nor shall be like it again. ⁷ But against none of the children of Israel shall a dog move its tongue, against man or beast, that you may know that the Lord does make a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.’ ⁸ And all these your servants shall come down to me and bow down to me, saying, ‘Get out, and all the people who follow you!’ After that I will go out.” Then he went out from Pharaoh in great anger.

 

⁹ But the Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh will not heed you, so that My wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.” ¹⁰ So Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh; and the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the children of Israel go out of his land.

 

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

 

GOD turns from warning Pharaoh to telling him what would happen. The difference with this plague is that it was too late. There would be nothing Pharaoh could do to stop the impending plague. Moses told Pharaoh that GOD would bring death to the firstborn of all Egyptians.

 

My Observations:

• GOD prophesied that HE would bring death to the firstborn of Egypt.
• GOD fulfilled the prophecy of the women asking for silver and gold and receiving it.
• GOD made Moses seen as a favorable leader versus Pharaoh to Pharaoh’s servants.

 

GOD’s grace was never recognized by Pharaoh. He would cause extreme pain to all Egyptian households because he would not give up his belief that he was a god.

 

The tenth plague represents a limit to GOD’s grace. Humans try to say their sinful love is unconditional. This is far from the truth because all humans have a sin nature. There is a part of a human that rebels against GOD. That same sin nature takes GOD’s grace for granted.

 

GOD may leave a leader of a nation alive, even though havoc has been poured out on the people. HE may even allow you and me to keep going in ways that do not include HIM. HE allows our heart to include HIM or not. HE stands at the door of our hearts and knocks. GOD was about to fully dismantle the Egyptian belief that humans can be in control.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the final prophecy of GOD to Pharaoh?
• Have you taken grace for granted in something you need to address?
• Will you praise GOD for HIS grace over your life and remember what HE did for you?

Response to Darkness – Hard Heart

Response to Darkness – Hard Heart

Exodus 10: ²⁴ Then Pharaoh called to Moses and said, “Go, serve the Lord; only let your flocks and your herds be kept back. Let your little ones also go with you.”

 

²⁵ But Moses said, “You must also give us sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God. ²⁶ Our livestock also shall go with us; not a hoof shall be left behind. For we must take some of them to serve the Lord our God, and even we do not know with what we must serve the Lord until we arrive there.”

 

²⁷ But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let them go. ²⁸ Then Pharaoh said to him, “Get away from me! Take heed to yourself and see my face no more! For in the day you see my face you shall die!”

 

²⁹ So Moses said, “You have spoken well. I will never see your face again.”

 

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

 

After the supernatural darkness was lifted, Pharaoh called for Moses to tell him that he would let the people go, but the flocks and herds had to stay. Moses told Pharaoh that the livestock had to go as well. Pharaoh hardened his heart and said “Get away from me! Take heed to yourself and see my face no more! For in the day you see my face you shall die!”

 

My Observations:

• Pharaoh was trying to steal the remainder of the livestock he had not already stolen.
• Pharaoh thought he was in control after the plague was over.
• Pharoah threatened Moses, proving that he would never open his heart up and never would bow down to GOD.

 

The limiting belief of thinking he was a god would be Pharaoh’s downfall. He was leading his nation into total spiritual disaster, all while thinking his abuse of power was justified. GOD was dismantling the limiting belief that any human can be looked at as a god.

 

We treat celebrities, politicians and religious leaders as people who we should temporarily worship. Our limiting beliefs give them power or make us look at ourselves as powerless. BUT GOD says something very different. HE took an eighty year old man with a stick and placed him in front of the most powerful man in the land, namely Pharaoh. HE methodically dismantled Egyptian limiting beliefs, one by one. GOD was not finished.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about Pharaoh’s threat?
• What limiting beliefs do you have about age, power, or titles?
• Is your secret pursuit of power worth battling GOD for HIS deserved spot?

Ninth Plague: Darkness / Ninth Action to Dismantle a Mindset

Ninth Plague: Darkness / Ninth Action to Dismantle a Mindset

Exodus 10: ²¹ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, ^[b]darkness which may even be felt.” ²² So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. ²³ They did not see one another; nor did anyone rise from his place for three days. But all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

 

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

 

GOD was at Warning, Action and Response (WAR) with Pharaoh. But this time HE gave no warning. In fact, GOD had given HIS final warning and would only perform actions, or HIS plagues. This time HE made darkness that could be felt.

 

My Observations:

• GOD caused physical darkness that felt like something was touching everyone.
• The Egyptians experienced physical darkness for three days.
• The children of Israel experienced light in their homes.

 

A mindset was being dealt with, namely the worship of the sun god Ra as a very high deity. The Egyptians were sun worshipers and placed high values in star worship to drive their decision making. For three days, the Egyptians could do nothing.

 

Meanwhile, the children of Israel experienced light in their homes. GOD’s light shows truth, shows the way and exposes dangers easily. The absences of light creates confusion, fear and depression. Three days sounds familiar. JESUS was in the grave for three days. GOD was dismantling the mindset of limiting beliefs.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the plague of darkness?
• Have you self-examined whether you are operating under limiting beliefs?
• Knowing that GOD has no limits, will you ask HIM to remove any limiting beliefs you may have?

Response to Locusts – Hard Heart

 

Response to Locusts – Hard Heart

Exodus 10: ¹⁶ Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste, and said, “I have sinned against the Lord your God and against you. ¹⁷ Now therefore, please forgive my sin only this once, and entreat the Lord your God, that He may take away from me this death only.” ¹⁸ So he went out from Pharaoh and entreated the Lord. ¹⁹ And the Lord turned a very strong west wind, which took the locusts away and blew them into the Red Sea. There remained not one locust in all the territory of Egypt. ²⁰ But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the children of Israel go.

 

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

 

For the eighth time, Pharaoh and the land of Egypt was in trouble. Everything green was being eaten and locusts were everywhere. Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron and begged them to beg GOD to remove the locusts. GOD sent a strong “west wind” which took the locusts away and blew them into the Red Sea.

 

My Observations:

• Pharaoh proved he would say anything to get out of trouble, so he lied again about letting the people go.
• GOD sent an opposing wind that blew the locusts away.
• GOD chose to blow the locusts into the Red Sea, a place of significance.

 

As usual, when every locust was gone, Pharaoh believed he was still a god. The one and only true GOD allowed Pharaoh to believe he was a god, which hardened his heart further. In other words, GOD did not try to correct Pharaoh, because Pharaoh was not one of HIS. GOD gently corrects you and me because we listen to HIM. BUT GOD will not correct those who oppose HIM.

 

It is cleat who is in control, namely GOD. Down to the last locus, GOD used wind to rid the nation of the plague. Pharaoh, thinking he was a god, had to ask someone to ask GOD for help. Pharaoh could not say, “Ask my GOD,” because he refused to believe in something more powerful than himself.  GOD was dismantling unhealthy pride in self.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about Pharaoh’s response to removing the locusts?
• Is there a part of you that fights GOD and that keeps you from growing into CHRIST?
• When you get your way, are you closer to or further from acting like CHRIST?

Eighth Action to Dismantle a Mindset

 

Eighth Action to Dismantle a Mindset

Exodus 10: ⁸ So Moses and Aaron were brought again to Pharaoh, and he said to them, “Go, serve the Lord your God. Who are the ones that are going?”

 

⁹ And Moses said, “We will go with our young and our old; with our sons and our daughters, with our flocks and our herds we will go, for we must hold a feast to the Lord.”

 

¹⁰ Then he said to them, “The Lord had better be with you when I let you and your little ones go! Beware, for evil is ahead of you. ¹¹ Not so! Go now, you who are men, and serve the Lord, for that is what you desired.” And they were driven out from Pharaoh’s presence.

 

¹² Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land—all that the hail has left.” ¹³ So Moses stretched out his rod over the land of Egypt, and the Lord brought an east wind on the land all that day and all that night. When it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts. ¹⁴ And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt and rested on all the territory of Egypt. They were very severe; previously there had been no such locusts as they, nor shall there be such after them. ¹⁵ For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they ate every herb of the land and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left. So there remained nothing green on the trees or on the plants of the field throughout all the land of Egypt.

 

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

 

When Pharaoh’s servants asked him to do something about the pending situation, Pharaoh went into negotiation mode. He asked Moses, who would go. Moses said, “Everyone and their livestock.” Pharaoh countered the statement with “Men only.” GOD waited on Moses to hold up his rod, then HE caused locusts to come in and eat anything that was salvageable from the broken, burnt trees.

 

My Observations:

• GOD was addressing the unhealthy pride of Pharaoh and those who followed him.
• GOD wanted them to surrender their cruelty, slavery and superiority way of thinking.
• GOD took away their source of food that they were known for when Joseph stored up grain to save the Egyptians decades prior to this plague.

 

Dismantling the mindset versus killing the people seems to be what GOD was doing. HE saw the pride in the Egyptians who took Joseph’s direction by storing up grain in mass warehouses. When the famine ended after Joseph’s time, the Egyptians may have kept going with producing large amounts of food and selling it to surrounding areas.

 

GOD sent locusts to eat every little crumb and every morsel that was green. There would be nothing left to be proud of. Pride is one of GOD’s things HE despises. HE gave Pharaoh many chances to do the opposite of pride, namely surrender. HE does the same with you and me. When we dig our heels in versus surrendering to GOD’s will, we act like Pharaoh. GOD was dismantling pride for everyone.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about Pharaoh’s refusal to let the people go?
• What thing are you refusing to surrender, despite the warnings you have received?
• Are you open to asking GOD about what you need to surrender to HIM that is blocking your success?

Eighth Plague: Locusts

 

Eighth Plague: Locusts

Exodus 10: Now the Lord said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh; for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants, that I may show these signs of Mine before him, ² and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and your son’s son the mighty things I have done in Egypt, and My signs which I have done among them, that you may know that I am the Lord.”

 

³ So Moses and Aaron came in to Pharaoh and said to him, “Thus says the Lord God of the Hebrews: ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, that they may serve Me. ⁴ Or else, if you refuse to let My people go, behold, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your territory. ⁵ And they shall cover the face of the earth, so that no one will be able to see the earth; and they shall eat the residue of what is left, which remains to you from the hail, and they shall eat every tree which grows up for you out of the field. ⁶ They shall fill your houses, the houses of all your servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians—which neither your fathers nor your fathers’ fathers have seen, since the day that they were on the earth to this day.’ ” And he turned and went out from Pharaoh.

 

⁷ Then Pharaoh’s servants said to him, “How long shall this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve the Lord their God. Do you not yet know that Egypt is destroyed?”

 

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

 

For the seventh time and last time, GOD tells Moses to warn Pharaoh to let HIS people go. Seven warnings, ten plagues. This time GOD tells Moses to remember what HE did to Egypt.

 

My Observations:

• GOD hardened Pharaoh’s heart and his servant’s heart by allowing them to believe they were in control.
• GOD was showing everyone that HE is GOD.
• GOD sent HIS final warning to Pharaoh and from here on out, there would be no chance for redemption.

 

Seven warnings to change made even Pharaoh’s servants uneasy. They tried to convince Pharaoh to change his mind, but he refused to believe he was human and not a god. Pharaoh’s servants refused to walk away from his rulership even though everything was destroyed. His heart was truly stubborn.

 

GOD gently warns Moses not to follow Pharaoh. HE wanted Moses to tell the story of what HE did to Egypt to the children of Israel and their descendants. GOD promised to bring locusts to the Egyptians that would eat any remaining vegetation. Unfortunately for the Egyptians, GOD was done with the warnings. Pharaoh’s servants thought the battle was with Moses when it really was against GOD.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS last warning to Pharaoh regarding the locusts?
• Have you ever experienced fear to the point of making up your own path, meanwhile, disregarding GOD’s warnings?
• Do you see that the LORD has you and has the situation that causes you to have fear?

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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.” ’ ”

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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. 

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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.”

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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?