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 9:6-7,
"And the next day the Lord did it: All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one animal belonging to the Israelites died. Pharaoh investigated and found that not even one of the animals of the Israelites had died. Yet his heart was unyielding and he would not let the people go."
The hardening of Pharaoh's heart was an astonishing thing. The Lord had Moses tell Pharaoh again to let the Israelites go to worship him. Moses also told Pharaoh that if he refused again this time that the Lord would visit a terrible plague on all the livestock of the field, "horses, donkeys and camels and on your cattle, sheep and goats." Verse 3. Not only that, Moses told Pharaoh the Lord would do it at a given time. In addition, the Lord would bring this plague only on the Egyptian livestock and not the Israeli's in their midst.
From the verses quoted above, it is simply remarkable the hardening of heart the Lord afflicted Pharaoh with. How could it be possible that any sane person could be confronted like Pharaoh was and still refuse? This truly was a rejection of the reality of what was happening on Pharaoh's part - due to the Lord.
In a fascinating message later in this chapter the Lord had for Pharaoh following another plague (of boils on the people and animals of Egypt), he said, "For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth. But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." Verses 15,16. This is a famous quote Paul used in his letter to the Roman church to demonstrate that God makes his own choices in spite of man's desires or efforts, Romans 9:17.
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/
"And the next day the Lord did it: All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one animal belonging to the Israelites died. Pharaoh investigated and found that not even one of the animals of the Israelites had died. Yet his heart was unyielding and he would not let the people go."
The hardening of Pharaoh's heart was an astonishing thing. The Lord had Moses tell Pharaoh again to let the Israelites go to worship him. Moses also told Pharaoh that if he refused again this time that the Lord would visit a terrible plague on all the livestock of the field, "horses, donkeys and camels and on your cattle, sheep and goats." Verse 3. Not only that, Moses told Pharaoh the Lord would do it at a given time. In addition, the Lord would bring this plague only on the Egyptian livestock and not the Israeli's in their midst.
From the verses quoted above, it is simply remarkable the hardening of heart the Lord afflicted Pharaoh with. How could it be possible that any sane person could be confronted like Pharaoh was and still refuse? This truly was a rejection of the reality of what was happening on Pharaoh's part - due to the Lord.
In a fascinating message later in this chapter the Lord had for Pharaoh following another plague (of boils on the people and animals of Egypt), he said, "For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth. But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." Verses 15,16. This is a famous quote Paul used in his letter to the Roman church to demonstrate that God makes his own choices in spite of man's desires or efforts, Romans 9:17.
I think one of the miracles missed when reviewing these plagues God sent upon Egypt was the miracle of Pharaoh's hardened heart. It is an account that still has its impact yet today!
And, by the way, don't you have the impression that Pharaoh thought he was arriving at his determinations all on his own? I think there just may be a message here...
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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