The reading of the
this week is titled in uniquely personal terms that we easily take for granted: God showed up. Imagine how our lives may be very different if we took these words to heart and recognized that the presence and power of the Most High God is… available? We’ve taken to presumption one way or the other: that Adonai’s presence is among us and we have grown familiar and comfortable with Him (that’s a bad thing), or we have become apathetic, getting used to the idea of His not coming. At any rate, the potential or the reality of the phrase lacks the awe and desperation that we should hold, should believe in His appearing.
How would it change our perspective on things if during our prayers or in our services, suddenly God showed up? Would we pause to notice? Would we yield our agenda? Maybe this is the reason that He does not (in terms that we would understand, accept and appreciate). Maybe it is because we have snubbed Him, those times He has appeared. Maybe we left Him in the lobby or on the front porch, hoping He just goes away. That could have an affect on any relationship.
We have grown to understand prayer and worship and fellowship as our thing. He is identified as the subject; but hardly is He understood to be the substance. He pray and praise His name; but we pray for our own benefit and to our own gratification and assume that He must be pleased… because we feel so much better about ourselves.
What a different perspective upon life and what a different tone would we take in our worship should we stand in anticipation or appreciation of His appearing. This may be what set apart Abraham, Isaac and Jacob: that when God appeared, they noticed.
And God spoke unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD: (Exodus 6:2 KJV)
And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them. (Exodus 6:3 KJV)
The Yod-Hey-Vav-Hey is written as the given Name of the Most High God. It appears as early as Genesis 2. It is the term used to identify the God who first addressed Abram in Genesis 12:1. In Genesis 12:8, the text states that Abram called upon the Most High by that name. In Genesis 14:22, Abram uses the term to give glory for the deliverance of the captive Sodomites. What does it mean that this name was not known to the Patriarchs?
While Abraham, Isaac and Jacob saw a great deal of conflict in their lives, and while they would consistently attest to the providence and protection given to them by Adonai, the existence and credibility of other deities and belief systems was never put to the test. Their God was Adonai; but the various other deities that were worshipped in the communities surrounding them were unchallenged and equally relevant. The name of the Most High declares that He is the God who is and that there is none other like Him (inferring that there is really none other at all).
Moses and the children of Israel would be coming to know their God in these terms: that He is God and that there is none other.
And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers. (Exodus 6:4 KJV)
And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant. (Exodus 6:5 KJV)
Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: (Exodus 6:6 KJV)
The word ga-awl, translated "redeem", may have born particular significance to Moses’ Hebrew audience. It is found once before this in the book of Genesis, when Jacob is blessing Ephraim and Manasseh.
The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth. (Genesis 48:16 KJV)
The word related a familiar association with the subject. Adonai was not simply passing by and noticed their plight. He came because the covenant relationship already existed.
This may cause us to re-thing our understanding of the Messiah’s deliverance of the world.
But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (Matthew 15:24 KJV)
Outside of His covenant relationship, Adonai has no right to "deliver" this people. He is only "buying back" what is rightfully His by covenant relationship.
This concept is dismissed by modern Christian theology. As gentiles, Messiah Yeshua could not redeem us because we were not rightfully His to begin with. He could purchase us outright; but we were not for sale to begin with. He could only redeem those who belonged to Him according to covenant.
However, there is a loop-hole. Those who come along of their own free will are not to be rejected. It is Israel who Messiah Yeshua came to redeem; but those outside of Israel who are willing to follow may freely come.
And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. (Exodus 6:7 KJV)
And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for a heritage: I am the LORD. (Exodus 6:8 KJV)
And Moses spoke so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage. (Exodus 6:9 KJV)
How do you lead people who don’t want to be led? The circumstances that Moses and Aaron faced is not unlike what we often see in the world today. We are preaching deliverance from bondage to people who are just trying to find straw to make bricks. The immediate need, the fear of the task masters, blocks out any sense of hope or understanding.
The lesson for us is clear: the acceptance and gratitude of those whom we are called to lead from bondage is not a requisite for our obedience to God’s command. We do not serve them. We serve Him.
And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, (Exodus 6:10 KJV)
Go in, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land. (Exodus 6:11 KJV)
And Moses spoke before the LORD, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips? (Exodus 6:12 KJV)
Many scholars agree that Moses must have had some defect in his ability t o speak, an impediment of some kind (stuttering or something). The idea of circumcised is the idea of covenant. Moses may simply mean that he has been rejected as the representative of the Hebrew people. Adonai’s response is simple and to the point: "I’m God. I don’t need your permission. I don’t need their permission. Pharaoh will do what I am commanding Him through your words." No options.
And the LORD spoke unto Moses and unto Aaron, and gave them a charge unto the children of Israel, and unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt. (Exodus 6:13 KJV)
These be the heads of their fathers' houses: The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel; Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi: these be the families of Reuben. (Exodus 6:14 KJV)
And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman: these are the families of Simeon. (Exodus 6:15 KJV)
And these are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari: and the years of the life of Levi were a hundred thirty and seven years. (Exodus 6:16 KJV)
The sons of Gershon; Libni, and Shimi, according to their families. (Exodus 6:17 KJV)
And the sons of Kohath; Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel: and the years of the life of Kohath were a hundred thirty and three years. (Exodus 6:18 KJV)
And the sons of Merari; Mahali and Mushi: these are the families of Levi according to their generations. (Exodus 6:19 KJV)
And Amram took him Jochebed his father's sister to wife; and she bore him Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram were a hundred and thirty and seven years. (Exodus 6:20 KJV)
And the sons of Izhar; Korah, and Nepheg, and Zichri. (Exodus 6:21 KJV)
And the sons of Uzziel; Mishael, and Elzaphan, and Zithri. (Exodus 6:22 KJV)
And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon, to wife; and she bore him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. (Exodus 6:23 KJV)
And the sons of Korah; Assir, and Elkanah, and Abiasaph: these are the families of the Korhites. (Exodus 6:24 KJV)
And Eleazar Aaron's son took him one of the daughters of Putiel to wife; and she bore him Phinehas: these are the heads of the fathers of the Levites according to their families. (Exodus 6:25 KJV)
These are that Aaron and Moses, to whom the LORD said, Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies. (Exodus 6:26 KJV)
It seems a little strange that the author would take this moment to interject the genealogy of Moses and Aaron. It may simply be a counter to Moses’ argument: that these people in bondage are his people, and as such, he has a vested interest in their deliverance.
The number of generation also is a clue as to the actual duration of time in Egypt by the Hebrews, supporting the idea that they were only in Egypt around 200 years.
It is worth noting that the generations and inter-marriage was only within the tribe of Levi. This would have been in keeping with the expectations of Jacob, that each of the sons would exist in their own right as a unique tribe of the people of Israel; though marrying one’s aunt, forbidden in
, notes that by the third generation, the teaching of one’s children the righteousness of God had been abandoned.
These are they which spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring out the children of Israel from Egypt: these are that Moses and Aaron. (Exodus 6:27 KJV)
And it came to pass on the day when the LORD spoke unto Moses in the land of Egypt, (Exodus 6:28 KJV)
That the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, I am the LORD: speak thou unto Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say unto thee. (Exodus 6:29 KJV)
And Moses said before the LORD, Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me? (Exodus 6:30 KJV)
And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. (Exodus 7:1 KJV)
Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land. (Exodus 7:2 KJV)
It denotes an air of superiority that Moses would not address Pharaoh directly. Moses is not coming to represent a god who is pleading for mercy. He is demanding what is rightfully His. The relationship would have been immediately understood by the Egyptian court. The conquering king does not address his subjected kingdoms directly so as to acknowledge them as peer. He addresses them through his servants so that they may only communicate on terms as servants. This may have been outrageous to Pharaoh, or amusing that a slave should approach him in such an ironic manner. Yet, something rather amazing, held his wrath against Moses at bay.
And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt. (Exodus 7:3 KJV)
The word for "signs" is found as early in the text as Genesis 1:14. It is often used in terms of astrological divination. "Wonders" (in Hebrew pronounced, "mo-faith"… I like that) speaks of the miraculous: things that just can’t happen happening. The ten plagues fit the definition of wonders. Signs, then, tells us that Adonai was using every means possible, even within the Egyptian religious omens, to declare His authority and demand His people’s release.
But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. (Exodus 7:4 KJV)
And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them. (Exodus 7:5 KJV)
And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded them, so did they. (Exodus 7:6 KJV)
And Moses was fourscore years old, and Aaron fourscore and three years old, when they spoke unto Pharaoh. (Exodus 7:7 KJV)
And the LORD spoke unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, (Exodus 7:8 KJV)
When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Show a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent. (Exodus 7:9 KJV)
In Exodus 4:20, this rod was described as "the rod of God". Remembering that the rod is a representation of authority, God’s declaration is that His authority is now Moses’: that Moses is acting in the place of God.
And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent. (Exodus 7:10 KJV)
Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. (Exodus 7:11 KJV)
For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods. (Exodus 7:12 KJV)
Often this is understood to be a "draw" that Egypt’s sorcerers could do the same miracle as Moses. It is rather a testimony of God’s power over the Egyptians at the most basic level: I’m going to meet you on your terms and still win.
Speilberg has us visualizing two sticks turning into snakes and getting gobbled up. It was a little more dramatic than that. Keep in mind that the rod represents authority: the end conclusion makes a powerful statement as to control Adonai has upon this situation: the authority of the collective power of the Egyptian priests is snack food for Adonai.
And he hardened Pharaoh's heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said. (Exodus 7:13 KJV)
And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh's heart is hardened, he refuseth to let the people go. (Exodus 7:14 KJV)
Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river's brink against he come; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand. (Exodus 7:15 KJV)
And thou shalt say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear. (Exodus 7:16 KJV)
Thus saith the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I am the LORD: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood. (Exodus 7:17 KJV)
And the fish that is in the river shall die, and the river shall stink; and the Egyptians shall loathe to drink of the water of the river. (Exodus 7:18 KJV)
And the LORD spoke unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone. (Exodus 7:19 KJV)
And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. (Exodus 7:20 KJV)
And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt. (Exodus 7:21 KJV)
Pharaoh held onto the Hebrews because of their economic value (that and the obstinate nature of his heart). It makes sense, then, that the first place that Adonai would pressure him for their release would be the economic lifeline of the country. Not only was this economically significant; but politically as well. The episode with the snakes in the courtyard could easily be dismissed (or at least kept quiet); but the waters turning into blood… this is going to take some explaining.
Power over the Nile alone should have been enough to cause the Egyptian King to step back and realize that he was dealing with someone a little out of his league. Yet, when all the water, everywhere, even in pots and in basins was mad blood, had he possessed any capacity of reason, he would have tucked and ran.
We ought to take pause to consider, though, that this was not simply power over the waters and the ability to render it unfit. Why blood? There is a larger statement being made here. Blood is a representation of life ( or the letting of it ) in any culture. That the waters (the sustaining power) should become death is something that the world would need to hear: that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins (hebrews 9:22).
And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said. (Exodus 7:22 KJV)
And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also. (Exodus 7:23 KJV)
And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river. (Exodus 7:24 KJV)
And seven days were fulfilled, after that the LORD had smitten the river. (Exodus 7:25 KJV)
And the LORD spoke unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me. (Exodus 8:1 KJV)
And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs: (Exodus 8:2 KJV)
And the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into thine house, and into thy bedchamber, and upon thy bed, and into the house of thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thine ovens, and into thy kneading troughs: (Exodus 8:3 KJV)
And the frogs shall come up both on thee, and upon thy people, and upon all thy servants. (Exodus 8:4 KJV)
And the LORD spoke unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt. (Exodus 8:5 KJV)
And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt. (Exodus 8:6 KJV)
And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt. (Exodus 8:7 KJV)
Frogs were understood to possess magical powers of healing. One of the practices of deistic medicine (witch-doctoring) was to smear a live frog over the body of the patient. Frogs were a symbol of health and vitality. Who couldn’t help but feel alive watching those little buggers hop around… at least, in reasonable numbers.
Having the waters turn to blood (a representation of death) would have been frightening to say the least. The appearance of frogs after such an ordeal would have, at first, appeared a good omen. But, they kept coming, and coming, and coming, and coming, and… good grief!
Those things that we are inclined to turn to for comfort, when it is seeking refuge from the will of God, will inevitably turn on us and become a grief to us.
Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Entreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD. (Exodus 8:8 KJV)
And Moses said unto Pharaoh, Glory over me: when shall I entreat for thee, and for thy servants, and for thy people, to destroy the frogs from thee and thy houses, that they may remain in the river only? (Exodus 8:9 KJV)
And he said, Tomorrow. And he said, Be it according to thy word: that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the LORD our God. (Exodus 8:10 KJV)
Moses wanted to make it absolutely clear that this wasn’t just a coincidence. He allowed Pharaoh to determine exactly when the frogs would leave. One may wonder why Pharaoh didn’t say, "Immediately!" But, he was wise to this idea as well, and thought that Moses might time his arrival in such a way to make it appear that he was in control. That’s (theorized) why Pharaoh delayed.
And the frogs shall depart from thee and from thy houses, and from thy servants, and from thy people; they shall remain in the river only. (Exodus 8:11 KJV)
And Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh: and Moses cried unto the LORD because of the frogs which he had brought against Pharaoh. (Exodus 8:12 KJV)
And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the villages, and out of the fields. (Exodus 8:13 KJV)
And they gathered them together upon heaps: and the land stank. (Exodus 8:14 KJV)
But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said. (Exodus 8:15 KJV)
And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt. (Exodus 8:16 KJV)
And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. (Exodus 8:17 KJV)
And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast. (Exodus 8:18 KJV)
There was no creative process in the earlier plagues. The first, on their part, was simply an illusion. The next two was a manipulation of natural circumstances… but this was different. This was taking something that wasn’t alive and making it into something that was alive.
King James says "lice". Most Jewish translations render them gnats. The term itself (Kain) suggests that it has a clinging quality (like gnats, fruit flies or lice) and collects upon the body as an irritant. Some even suggest that it would have stings or might bite.
The fact that this started as simply dust is powerful. That which is harmless can be made to harm you: that it can come alive against you in the power of God.
Gnats and lice are different than frogs. Frogs are simply there, and while there, in the case given, is absolutely everywhere, there is a sense that they were just hopping along indifferently doing what frogs do. Annoying but difficult to hold it against them.
Gnats and lice are a little more personal. You are the subject of their interest. They want to be all over you and will be attracted to you. Not cool.
Gnats and lice are a symbol of neglect and poverty: that even the little one has is taken away if it is not cared for, cleaned and protected from parasites. The people first see their life turned to blood, next their vitality and health turned to rot and now afflicted and overcome by poverty.
Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said. (Exodus 8:19 KJV)
And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me. (Exodus 8:20 KJV)
Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are. (Exodus 8:21 KJV)
And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth. (Exodus 8:22 KJV)
And I will put a division between my people and thy people: tomorrow shall this sign be. (Exodus 8:23 KJV)
And the LORD did so; and there came a grievous swarm of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants' houses, and into all the land of Egypt: the land was corrupted by reason of the swarm of flies. (Exodus 8:24 KJV)
Again, flies are not necessarily flies. The Hebrew word "aw-rowb" means to swarm. It could have just as easily been misquitoes. It is telling, though, that all the land was "corrupted", made worthless, because of the swarm.
The thing about swarming insects is that they are a bit unpredictable and impossible to control. The statement here is obvious: that Adonai has power. He has demonstrated this power over the water (turned to blood), the land (dust turned to gnats), and now the air.
And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land. (Exodus 8:25 KJV)
And Moses said, It is not meet so to do; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our God: lo, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us? (Exodus 8:26 KJV)
We will go three days' journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the LORD our God, as he shall command us. (Exodus 8:27 KJV)
And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: entreat for me. (Exodus 8:28 KJV)
And Moses said, Behold, I go out from thee, and I will entreat the LORD that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, tomorrow: but let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD. (Exodus 8:29 KJV)
And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and entreated the LORD. (Exodus 8:30 KJV)
And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; there remained not one. (Exodus 8:31 KJV)
And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go. (Exodus 8:32 KJV)
Then the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me. (Exodus 9:1 KJV)
For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still, (Exodus 9:2 KJV)
Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain. (Exodus 9:3 KJV)
And the LORD shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all that is the children's of Israel. (Exodus 9:4 KJV)
And the LORD appointed a set time, saying, Tomorrow the LORD shall do this thing in the land. (Exodus 9:5 KJV)
And the LORD did that thing on the morrow, and all the cattle of Egypt died: but of the cattle of the children of Israel died not one. (Exodus 9:6 KJV)
And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go. (Exodus 9:7 KJV)
And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh. (Exodus 9:8 KJV)
And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt. (Exodus 9:9 KJV)
And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast. (Exodus 9:10 KJV)
And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians. (Exodus 9:11 KJV)
And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses. (Exodus 9:12 KJV)
It is noteworthy among rabbinical tradition that suddenly it is the Lord that is now hardening the heart of Pharaoh. It is said that Adonai will appeal to us three times to repent from sin but after that, may turn us upon ourselves to reap the consequences of our rebellion. Paul alludes to this in Romans 1:26-28.
And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me. (Exodus 9:13 KJV)
For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth. (Exodus 9:14 KJV)
For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth. (Exodus 9:15 KJV)
The word "kaw-khad" means to destroy or also to hide. Specifically it is the idea of secretion, like hacking up phlegm or something.
And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to show in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth. (Exodus 9:16 KJV)
As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go? (Exodus 9:17 KJV)
Behold, tomorrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now. (Exodus 9:18 KJV)
Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die. (Exodus 9:19 KJV)
He that feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses: (Exodus 9:20 KJV)
And he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field. (Exodus 9:21 KJV)
Here is a precedent followed even today in Jewish warfare. When bombing a target that is known to harbor enemy resources, the Jewish authority will contact the target location and warn them of the attack so as to minimize human casualties but not give enough time to remove arms or military resources.
Over and over we will see that the hand of God is gracious and merciful, even to His enemies.
And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt. (Exodus 9:22 KJV)
And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt. (Exodus 9:23 KJV)
So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. (Exodus 9:24 KJV)
The distinction as a hail storm that had not occurred in Egypt since it had become a nation may suggest that this was a method of affliction similar to what was used to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah.
And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and broke every tree of the field. (Exodus 9:25 KJV)
Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail. (Exodus 9:26 KJV)
And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked. (Exodus 9:27 KJV)
Well, hmm… no duh. Actually, this is not as much a confession as an acquiescence, "I’m wrong and you’re right." In short, "Uncle." So, while this is a shift in tactics, there is no change in Pharaoh’s character. We often see this in the rebellious nature of our own children. "Yes, I acknowledge that I was wrong; (but my stone cold face will never bend in rejection to your authority over me)." I say this in relation to our children because it is so easy to see in them. It is harder to identify in our own hearts, when we "submit" to the will of God with our bodies but our hearts are still screaming in rebellion, and we wonder while His hand of discipline is still upon us.
Entreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer. (Exodus 9:28 KJV)
And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD's. (Exodus 9:29 KJV)
But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the LORD God. (Exodus 9:30 KJV)
And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled. (Exodus 9:31 KJV)
But the wheat and the rye were not smitten: for they were not grown up. (Exodus 9:32 KJV)
And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth. (Exodus 9:33 KJV)
And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants. (Exodus 9:34 KJV)
And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the LORD had spoken by Moses. (Exodus 9:35 KJV)
A young man came to me one day and asked me to pray for him. He wanted me to pray in a very specific way. "This is what I want. Don’t be praying any of that ‘Thy will be done’ stuff. I want you to be asking God for this specific thing." I asked him to sit down. I told him, "Number one, God’s will is going to be effected in your life. And number 2, He doesn’t need to ask your permission nor give you warning." It’s really easy to forget that He’s the one who is Sovereign, when all the world seems to falling into place just as we had hoped, planned or expected. Yet, how often, when we get side-swiped do we confess in all sincerity, "Lord, I’m sure glad You know what You’re doing." (We may say the same words; but the tone is very different.)
Imagine what the response would have been to Moses after his cousins came back from the slime pits one evening and he said, "Remember, all things work together for good to those who love the Lord." He’d likely have gotten punched in the nose.
It’s comical, to a point, that Adonai turned the rivers into blood. Do you know what His people were praying for? They were praying for straw. Then He sent frogs. Oh good. Could He be holding His magic wand backwards? Then He sent lice. That’ll help. Imagine the horror on their faces when fire was sent down from heaven, burning what? There goes all the straw. Who’s side is God on, anyway?
We may laugh, momentarily, until suddenly we start losing things in our lives that we care very much about: our job, our house, our kids, our congregation. "God, don’t You know what this is doing to me?" The reality is that He does and we don’t. He is delivering us. The truth is that every good and perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no fickleness, nor hint of variation. (James 1:17). Those things that He takes from us, He does so to deliver us, to save us, to protect us, to heal us; though the immediate result is often as painful as the task master’s whip.
The truth is that we would rather be slaves in Egypt, knowing where we stand and having a pretty good idea what to expect in the future, than we do launching out across the wilderness without even an identity, never having had to protect ourselves from enemies or invaders. The truth is, when it gets down to it, we trust Egypt more than we trust God.
This morning I cry out along side the father whose daughter lay dying, "Lord, I believe! Help me in my unbelief!" You see, my hours have been cut, too. I have projects and ministry objectives that are untried and needing a lot of work, as well as some capital investment. Am I to put money into a project that may not reap any benefits at all, when my salary has been cut in half (my family already living at roughly one half the federal poverty standard). Yet, I can see how God arranges things in my life, not asking my permission, not telling me what is in store, but clearing the way today to do what is in His plan for my life, for the perpetuation of His kingdom.
I laugh sometimes when people look at me think how nice it must be to be "in charge". Yet, the reality is, in most cases, when there is a sheer cliff on one side and a bottomless chasm on the other, the decision to go forward is really not so much for me to make. Equally, I can see Moses standing blankly when someone walks up to ask, "Who’s in charge here?" Moses blinks twice, smiles stupidly and points to his stick. He does this because from one step to the next, he doesn’t have a clue what is going to happen or where he is to go. He just knows that the only way to get out of where we are today is to follow the One who has placed us here. He knows. And He will lead us in paths we never could have imagined or expected or might have hoped, to land flowing with milk and honey on the other side.