Read Exodus
9-10 & Matthew
18:1-20
To discover:
As you read note God’s purposes in what he is doing.
To ponder:
Much is similar to yesterday: God’s power over the elements
– here sending hail and storm; his exact control – “not one” Israelite animal
dying. From plague 4 God’s presence in Egypt
is stressed (8v22). His control and commitment to Israel
there is such that he exempts Goshen
where his people live. Likewise, when Christ returns he will separate the sheep
from the goats (Matt 25v31-46). Plagues 7-9 are set-apart by their severity. Consider
the ominous darkness “that can be felt” (10v21). Nothing like this has been
seen before (9v18, 24, 10v6). Nevertheless, mercy is shown as warning is given
so that people can escape (9v19). Likewise with the judgement to come.
Pharoah’s
hardness becomes increasingly severe too. His officials urge him to give in
(10v7), but whenever he is close to doing so, he refuses to yield. We see
throughout the sinful desire to acknowledge God to an extent, but on our own
terms. Pharoah even accepts he has sinned (9v27) and seeks forgiveness (10v17),
but still seeks to water down God’s commands (10v11, 24). This is a false and
futile faith. God, not man, is Lord. We are not at liberty to barter over his
will.
The
reason for Pharoah’s stubbornness is repeated: God is hardening his heart so
that more plagues come - to demonstrate his “power” so that his “name might be
proclaimed in all the earth” (9v16), and people might “know that the earth is
the LORD’s” (9v29). God’s concern is not just for Egypt,
but for the whole world who would look to Egypt
as the centre of civilization. And some of Pharoah’s officials do come to fear
“the word of the LORD” (9v20). They are therefore saved form the hail.
Difficult
as it is, Jesus hints that God still hardens people, and against the gospel too
(Matt 11v25-27, 13v10-15). Paul explicitly states this, suggesting it may be so
that those who are saved come to appreciate God’s justice, power and glory all
the more (Rom 9v16-24). These are hard truths that we trust God over, even
though unable to fully understand (Rom 11v33-36). And we must be clear: unbelief
is still a choice people have made for themselves (2 Thess 1v10-12).
God’s purpose is also for the future generations of Israel
to know he is the LORD (10v2). It’s a reminder we should eagerly tell our
children and their children the matchless deeds of the Lord, seen so supremely
in Christ. Much depends on it.
Praying it home:
Thank God for so mercifully warning us of the final
judgement. Confess where you may have sought to water down his commands or
barter over his will.
Thinking further:
Read Jim Packer on God’s Sovereignty and human
responsibility here. Or
read the NIV study Bible introduction to Exodus, by clicking here.
If you receive this post by email, visit bible2014.blogspot.co.uk and make a
comment.
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment