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?

Shocked

Shocked

Genesis 45: ²⁵ Then they went up out of Egypt, and came to the land of Canaan to Jacob their father. ²⁶ And they told him, saying, “Joseph is still alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt.” And Jacob’s heart stood still, because he did not believe them. ²⁷ But when they told him all the words which Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived. ²⁸ Then Israel said, “It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

 

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Joseph’s brothers left Egypt with the strong, well-engineered carts given to them by Joseph. They came back to Jacob and told him that Joseph was alive. Jacob was shocked. They showed him the carts, then “Israel” was no longer shocked.

 

My Observations:

• Jacob was called Jacob in the beginning of this paragraph and Israel at the end, possibly in reference to Joseph being the son of Rachel and everyone else was mothered by others.
• Jacob was shocked to hear that his son was alive after all these years.
• Israel originally was not willing to go anywhere, but after hearing that Joseph was alive, he felt that was enough to make him go.

 

Being shocked, in this instance, could mean disbelief, or overwhelmed. I believe Jacob had both. The news that his son is alive that he thought was dead for decades, drove him to disbelief and feeling overwhelmed.

 

He did not get mad about the lost time he missed with his son, rather he looked forward to seeing him before he died. We can get shocked when we hear unexpected news. This requires us to go to GOD for answers.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses to use Jacob and Israel when referring to Joseph’s father?
• What is your normal first reaction to shocking news?
• When you are shocked or surprised by a situation, do you become overwhelmed and debilitated, or go to GOD for strength?

Opportunity Blindness

Opportunity Blindness

Genesis 34: ²⁰ And Hamor and Shechem his son came to the gate of their city, and spoke with the men of their city, saying: ²¹ “These men are at peace with us. Therefore let them dwell in the land and trade in it. For indeed the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters to us as wives, and let us give them our daughters. ²² Only on this condition will the men consent to dwell with us, to be one people: if every male among us is circumcised as they are circumcised. ²³ Will not their livestock, their property, and every animal of theirs be ours? Only let us consent to them, and they will dwell with us.” ²⁴ And all who went out of the gate of his city heeded Hamor and Shechem his son; every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city.

 

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Hamor and Shechem got so excited about the possibility of becoming even more wealthy than they were, that they told all the men about it. They persuaded the men to become circumcised as part of the peace treaty.

 

My Observations:

• Hamor and Shechem were fooled by the sons of Jacob into thinking they were at peace with what was done to Dinah.
• Hamor and Shechem seemed to dream of getting even more wealthy and powerful.
• Hamor and Shechem were plotting to take all of Jacob’s wealth, but they had to consent to being circumcised.

 

Blinded by the possibility of becoming wealthier, the men of Shechem started to drop their guards regarding Jacob and his vast group. Their worries turned into dreams of marrying his daughters and acquiring his wealth. They voluntarily became circumcised, probably thinking this would make them one of Jacob’s groups.

 

Little did they know, the sons of Jacob had deceived them. The sons of Jacob were planning revenge and put on a great act. Sometimes we too can fall into blindness over becoming wealthy. Like Shechem, blindness of wealth and fame can give false security to us. BUT GOD saw the plot Hamor and Shechem were planning.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about Hamor and Shechem’s plot?
• Have you ever wanted wealth so badly, that you lowered your standards to get it?
• Will you ask GOD to open your eyes to any blindness so HE can guide you to HIS better path?

Ready, Willing and Able

Ready, Willing and Able

1 Corinthians 12: ⁴ There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. ⁵ There are different ways of serving, but the same Lord is served. ⁶ There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives ability to all for their particular service. ⁷ The Spirit's presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all.

 

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Learning how to drive seemed like something that took a long time, even though the class was only a semester. I was willing to drive people anywhere they wanted to go, but I did not know the rules of the road, nor did I own a car. I also was not old enough. “When will I ever be able to drive?!” I wondered impatiently.

 

• I really wanted something I was not ready for.
• I was willing but not able.
• I felt I had the potential, but I needed to wait to use it.

 

Paul begins to explain spiritual gifts. The beginning of the lesson shows where the gifts come from, namely the HOLY SPIRIT. Each person is given their own gift which makes him or her ready to serve the LORD. But he says something strange. He says “GOD gives ability to all for their particular service.” Timing is everything.

 

My Observations

• GOD gave me a special gift, by the HOLY SPIRIT, that no one else has.
• GOD wants me to be willing to use my special gift to serve the LORD by serving HIS people.
• GOD wants me to be patient when HE says wait, for it is HE who provides the opportunities.

 

Being willing to serve the LORD is a wonderful, yet confusing thing. I mean, sometimes our desire to serve the LORD may be sincere, but how we think we should serve HIM may not align with HIS timing or audience. I may be willing right now, but HE has a particular person in mind who is not ready to hear a message from me.

 

HE also has my needs in HIS plan. I may not be ready to serve but HE will provide me with the right gift and audience at HIS time. This requires patience. I gladly wait on HIS audience, in HIS timing to serve HIS people the way HE wants me to serve them.

 

Challenge

• Are you willing to serve the LORD?
• What do you notice about where the spiritual gifts come from?
• What do you notice about the word ‘different’ spoken here?
• Will you seek to use your gifts and talents “for the good of all” today?

Seeing Opportunity

Matthew 9: Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. ² Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”

³ At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”

⁴ Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? ⁵ Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? ⁶ But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” ⁷ Then the man got up and went home. ⁸ When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.

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“This is my opportunity” I thought to myself as I jumped in the car and drove ninety miles in one hour. The VP was only going to be in town for moments and I needed to discuss joining his team. He saw my enthusiasm and promoted me.

• Many times I have seen opportunity and grabbed it.
• Many times I have gone for the gusto and seized it.
• Many times I have traveled out of my way to get something that seemed important to me.

“There HE is! This is our opportunity” comes to mind when I read this chunk of history. The unnamed men believed in JESUS so much that they carried a paralyzed friend to HIM. They did not know if HE would say yes or no but they went anyway. They had nothing to give JESUS but a sick friend and HE loved their faith!

• JESUS delights when I delight in HIM.
• JESUS loves when I love HIM.
• JESUS is excited when I show even the tiniest bit of faith.

Church leaders were upset at this entire situation. How dare this man claim to be GOD by forgiving sins, was the thought behind their words. JESUS saw through their love of status and hatred of GOD. HE healed this man because of faithful friends. I want to be like the mat bearers!

• What opportunity are you running towards?
• Do you see JESUS as an opportunity or a problem?
• Can you run towards HIM with childlike faith believing HE can heal even the most drastic situation? 

Can’t We All Just Get Along!

Psalm 133: ¹ How good and pleasant it is
    when God’s people live together in unity!

² It is like precious oil poured on the head,
    running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
    down on the collar of his robe.
³ It is as if the dew of Hermon
    were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
    even life forevermore.

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Dream Team was our nickname. I have only experienced it once. We had a very large assignment and each person had a role. One person brought in their talents and I brought mine. We worked hard together and we created one of the best things anyone had seen. It was innovative, fresh and exciting!

• When I promote unity, a lot can get done.
• When I promote unity, my defense becomes offense.
• When I promote unity, I ask more questions rather than block negative comments.

In a world of dwindling unity I can get discouraged. I mean at one time communities of people would pull together in adversarial times, now it seems that if I am not the right “label” then I will not fit in. GOD says to act different.

• GOD wants me to act with unity no matter if those around me are not.
• GOD wants me to act with unity encouraging people and building them up.
• GOD wants me to act with unity showing people what “can” happen if we work together.

Blessings flow to those who can cross many boundaries with unity. GOD wants me to see more than my block or my city or even my country. HE wants me to see that every human should have a single goal, namely to praise JESUS who died for all of us. As I have said many times, “We are all in the mud, throwing mud at each other saying you have mud on your face.”

GOD wants me to put down my mud, wash my hands with the cleansing sacrificed blood of JESUS the living CHRIST, and reach out to help people out of the mud. We should all act as if JESUS’ return is imminent. Unity is the key to blessings so HE wants me to be the first to reach out my hand.

• Are you at odds with “those” people?
• Do you feel “they” caused you problems?
• Will you stop pursuing to be in power and start seeking how to put GOD in power?
• Will you drop your slanderous words and speak only about yourself?
• Can you start acting with unity today and not hold back great plans, even from the thief

Opportunity Comes at Strange Times

Esther 2: ¹⁹ When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate. ²⁰ But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai’s instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up.

²¹ During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. ²² But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai.

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My roommate and I were walking back from class when the dorm director pulled up and asked us, “Would you like to visit a nearby college?” We jumped in the car and reveled our first trip to another world.

Another time I was sitting and waiting for my interview, and was called in early. The other candidate decided to go with another company. I got the job.

Yet another time a large company was reorganizing and I was in a conference room confused about the future. It just so happened that I was in the conference room of one of the people who was initiating the change and I was invited to help.

• Sometimes I thought I was simply at the right place at the right time.
• Sometimes I thought I was simple lucky.
• Sometimes I thought I had what it took so therefore I made things happen.

I have learned over the years that there is no such thing as luck and positioning myself to be at the right place could never happen the way it has happened in my life. In fact, the times I tried to position myself for something I wanted got met with huge disappointment. What am I to do?

• GOD wants me to rely on HIM to deliver the right path HE wants me on.
• GOD wants me to understand HE is the one who provides favor.
• GOD wants me to believe HE can provide, protect and prevail over any circumstance.

There are no coincidences. GOD has me right where HE wants me at all times. HE is blessing me thoroughly even when I don’t recognize it.

• Are you trying to position yourself to be at the right place at the right time for something you want?
• Do you place luck over faith?
• Can you start having faith in GOD today?
• Can you open your spiritual eyes and notice where GOD has you so you can be useful to HIM today?