The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Exodus 3:19-20,
"I [the Lord] know that the king of Egypt will not let you [Moses and the Israelites] go unless a mighty hand compels him. So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go."
The Lord foretold Moses about Pharaoh's resistance to allowing the Israelites to leave Egypt. At first Pharaoh would say no, then, after a series of judgments the Lord would send upon Egypt, Pharaoh would finally capitulate.
The Lord knew this in three ways. First, the Lord knows all things. "...we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything." 1 John 3:20. Secondly, since the Lord lives outside, beyond the dimensions of time and space he can view it anytime he wants (this hurts my head when I think about it! Is there really an "anytime" with God?) - so he sees everything. Thirdly, God knew this was going to happen because he decided he was going to make it happen!
Paul tell us in Romans 9:17-18, "For Scripture says to Pharaoh: 'I [God] raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.' Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden."
And, wow, did he ever harden Pharaoh's heart! Forty some years later, when Israel entered the promised land, the people of Jericho still had a vivid recollection of what God had done for the Israelites when he effected their departure from Egypt, "I [Rahab of Jericho] know that the Lord has given you [the Israelites] this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below." Joshua 2:9-11. This is what Paul is referencing in Romans 9:17-18.
"I [the Lord] know that the king of Egypt will not let you [Moses and the Israelites] go unless a mighty hand compels him. So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go."
The Lord foretold Moses about Pharaoh's resistance to allowing the Israelites to leave Egypt. At first Pharaoh would say no, then, after a series of judgments the Lord would send upon Egypt, Pharaoh would finally capitulate.
The Lord knew this in three ways. First, the Lord knows all things. "...we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything." 1 John 3:20. Secondly, since the Lord lives outside, beyond the dimensions of time and space he can view it anytime he wants (this hurts my head when I think about it! Is there really an "anytime" with God?) - so he sees everything. Thirdly, God knew this was going to happen because he decided he was going to make it happen!
Paul tell us in Romans 9:17-18, "For Scripture says to Pharaoh: 'I [God] raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.' Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden."
And, wow, did he ever harden Pharaoh's heart! Forty some years later, when Israel entered the promised land, the people of Jericho still had a vivid recollection of what God had done for the Israelites when he effected their departure from Egypt, "I [Rahab of Jericho] know that the Lord has given you [the Israelites] this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below." Joshua 2:9-11. This is what Paul is referencing in Romans 9:17-18.
Amazing stuff!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know. A blog with all my posts can be found here: http://worshipfortoday.blogspot.com/
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know. A blog with all my posts can be found here: http://worshipfortoday.blogspot.com/
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