Exodus 7-9
An Overview of Chapter 7
At the end of chapter 6, the 80 year old Moses asks God how Pharaoh will listen to an unskilled speaker such as himself. Gods answer is given here - Aaron, Moses older brother, will speak for you in the same way that prophets speak for God.
When Moses and Aaron go to Pharaoh and ask him to let the Israelites go, he asks them for a miracle to prove they work for God. Aaron throws down his staff as God had instructed, and it becomes a snake. Pharaoh is unimpressed since his wise guys can do the same with their staffs. Off course Pharaoh must ignore the fact that their snakes are all swallowed by Aaron's. Pharaoh does not let the people go.
Next Moses and Aaron turn the Nile into blood. The Pharaoh’s wise guys can do the same so Pharaoh again refuses to let the people go.
An Overview of Chapter 8
A week later Moses and Aaron repeat the request to Pharaoh and to prove God’s power they infest the land with frogs. Pharaoh’s wise guys do the same, but this time Pharaoh jumps up and says he will let the Israelites go if the frogs leave. God makes the frogs leave, but Pharaoh did not keep his end of the bargain.
Next God used Moses and Aaron to bring gnats into the land. Pharaoh’s wise guys could not repeat this miracle so they determined that God must be at work. Pharaoh ignored his advisors and did not let the people go.
Next God sends insects to infest the Egyptians, but adds the twist that the insects leave the Israelites alone. Pharaoh proposes a compromise - the people can sacrifice to God, but they cannot leave Egypt to do it. Moses says no way, so Pharaoh relents and tells Moses the people can go as soon as the insects leave. When the insects leave Pharaoh goes back on his word and refuses to let the people go.
An Overview of Chapter 9
The Lord sends a plague into the land that kills the Egyptian horses, donkeys, camels, goats, and sheep. Pharaoh is still not convinced to let the people of Israel go.
God then sends boils and sores on all the Egyptians. The wise guys called in sick that day. Pharaoh is still not willing to let the people go. God lets Pharaoh know that He will keep this up until His power is respected.
Next God sends fire and hail stones, but he gives this warning first - if you believe in Him take your livestock and servants and get them inside where it is safe. Even some of Pharaoh’s servants believe God at this point and follow his instructions. Those who did not do what God said lost all their livestock and their servants. Of course, the Israelites were saved from this. After seeing this destruction Pharaoh agrees to let the people go if the hail is stopped. God stops the hail as promised, but Pharaoh refuses to let the people go.
Reflection
Do you overlook God’s everyday miracles because science can recreate them? Do you ever wonder if God is trying to get you to do something when things start going badly in your life? When you come across people whose hearts are hardened how do you respond? As a believer, do you sense God’s favor or protection in your life? Has your stubbornness ever caused you or your family problems?
For Further Study
Hard Hearts: Proverbs 28:14, Mark 3:1-5, Ephesians 4:17-19, 2Thessalonians 2:11-12,
Purpose of Plagues: Genesis 12:17, Exodus 9:14, Isaiah 45:22-25, Romans 1:18, Ephesians 5:3-6
At the end of chapter 6, the 80 year old Moses asks God how Pharaoh will listen to an unskilled speaker such as himself. Gods answer is given here - Aaron, Moses older brother, will speak for you in the same way that prophets speak for God.
When Moses and Aaron go to Pharaoh and ask him to let the Israelites go, he asks them for a miracle to prove they work for God. Aaron throws down his staff as God had instructed, and it becomes a snake. Pharaoh is unimpressed since his wise guys can do the same with their staffs. Off course Pharaoh must ignore the fact that their snakes are all swallowed by Aaron's. Pharaoh does not let the people go.
Next Moses and Aaron turn the Nile into blood. The Pharaoh’s wise guys can do the same so Pharaoh again refuses to let the people go.
An Overview of Chapter 8
A week later Moses and Aaron repeat the request to Pharaoh and to prove God’s power they infest the land with frogs. Pharaoh’s wise guys do the same, but this time Pharaoh jumps up and says he will let the Israelites go if the frogs leave. God makes the frogs leave, but Pharaoh did not keep his end of the bargain.
Next God used Moses and Aaron to bring gnats into the land. Pharaoh’s wise guys could not repeat this miracle so they determined that God must be at work. Pharaoh ignored his advisors and did not let the people go.
Next God sends insects to infest the Egyptians, but adds the twist that the insects leave the Israelites alone. Pharaoh proposes a compromise - the people can sacrifice to God, but they cannot leave Egypt to do it. Moses says no way, so Pharaoh relents and tells Moses the people can go as soon as the insects leave. When the insects leave Pharaoh goes back on his word and refuses to let the people go.
An Overview of Chapter 9
The Lord sends a plague into the land that kills the Egyptian horses, donkeys, camels, goats, and sheep. Pharaoh is still not convinced to let the people of Israel go.
God then sends boils and sores on all the Egyptians. The wise guys called in sick that day. Pharaoh is still not willing to let the people go. God lets Pharaoh know that He will keep this up until His power is respected.
Next God sends fire and hail stones, but he gives this warning first - if you believe in Him take your livestock and servants and get them inside where it is safe. Even some of Pharaoh’s servants believe God at this point and follow his instructions. Those who did not do what God said lost all their livestock and their servants. Of course, the Israelites were saved from this. After seeing this destruction Pharaoh agrees to let the people go if the hail is stopped. God stops the hail as promised, but Pharaoh refuses to let the people go.
Reflection
Do you overlook God’s everyday miracles because science can recreate them? Do you ever wonder if God is trying to get you to do something when things start going badly in your life? When you come across people whose hearts are hardened how do you respond? As a believer, do you sense God’s favor or protection in your life? Has your stubbornness ever caused you or your family problems?
For Further Study
Hard Hearts: Proverbs 28:14, Mark 3:1-5, Ephesians 4:17-19, 2Thessalonians 2:11-12,
Purpose of Plagues: Genesis 12:17, Exodus 9:14, Isaiah 45:22-25, Romans 1:18, Ephesians 5:3-6
posted by Shaun Sells | 12:02 AM
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