# 32 2024 Dev. Ex.9:5-6. “Consequences!” Read all of chapter nine first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.
Ex. 9:5-6 “The Lord set a time and said, ‘Tomorrow the Lord will do this in the land.’ 6 And the next day the Lord did it: All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one animal belonging to the Israelites died.’”
Ex.9 The first plague, water to blood, was a major warning to Pharaoh, at that time water was the very source of Egypt’s success. The next three plagues, frogs, lice and flies, God brought on to discomfort the Egyptians, every day critters, mostly harmless unless they come in great numbers. The plagues in chapter nine are much more destructive. The consequences of disobedience. The back story in Egypt is that Satan was behind the destruction of the Israelites. “Salvation comes from the Jews.” John 4:22. There are people and countries today, still helping Satan to destroy the Jews.
Vs.1-7 “ Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘Let my people go, so that they may worship me.”’ God also told Moses to warn Pharaoh that if he did not comply He would bring a plague on all the livestock in Egypt. It happened the next day, the animals died but not one of the animals of the Israelites died. But Pharaoh did not let them go. The Lord God had been patient with the Egyptians, as He is with us. Romans 2:4 “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”
Vs.8-12 “Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Take handfuls of soot from a furnace and have Moses toss it into the air in the presence of Pharaoh. It will become fine dust over the whole land of Egypt, and festering boils will break out on people and animals throughout the land.’” Moses did as the Lord told him in the presence of Pharaoh. Boils broke out on people and animals. “But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had said to Moses.” Pharaoh’s heart was hard from the day Moses and Aaron approached him because Pharaoh thought himself as a god, his stubbornness, his arrogance kept him from complying even in the face of God’s works of wonder. As with us, if we insist on rebellion against God, time and time again, God withdraws His Spirit. Then is there is no way back.
Vs.13-35 “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Get up early in the morning, confront Pharaoh and say to him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me, or this time I will send the full force of my plagues against you and against your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no one like me in all the earth.’”
God had been patient with Pharaoh. God said, “I have raised you up ( or have spared you) for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Those who refuse to glorify God will in the end be used to glorify God.
The hail came and devastated the land, here, there is an editorial note “(The flax and barley were destroyed, since the barley had headed and the flax was in bloom. The wheat and spelt, however, were not destroyed, because they ripen later.)” Even here God shows His mercy.
Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron. “This time I have sinned,” he said to them. ‘The Lord is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong. Pray to the Lord, for we have had enough thunder and hail. I will let you go; you don’t have to stay any longer.’” But “he sinned again…” It isn’t only a harding of the heart, it is sinning again and again. How many opportunities to repent are granted? Let us all remember that God’s mercy is limited to persistent sinners. We all thank God for His mercy. Amen.
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Heavenhigh 