January 23

Scripture and Observation:

Exodus 6-8

God answers Moses cries, assuring him that Pharaoh’s hardness will only bring God glory.  God has a plan.  A short genealogy follows and shows Aaron and Moses are from Levi. 

Moses and Aaron go before Pharaoh again, turning the staff into a snake.  But the magicians do the same, so Pharaoh is unimpressed.  The staff of Moses and Aaron eats the other snakes.  The next morning God sends Moses to meet Pharaoh on the Nile.  They ask him to let the people go or they will turn the water to blood.  Pharaoh refuses, so all the water is turned to blood.  The magicians are able to duplicate this act, as well.

The next plague is frogs.  Pharaoh refuses again to let the people go, so frogs come into the houses.  The magicians also are able to bring frogs from the Nile.  For the first time, Pharaoh appears to relent.  He says to get rid of the frogs and he will let the people go.  To prove God’s control, Moses asks Pharaoh to set the time for the frogs to die.  But when the frogs die, Pharaoh goes back on his word and will not allow the Hebrews to leave.

Gnats then come from the dust of the earth and swarm people and animals.  This time the magicians are unable to duplicate the act, and they give glory to God, but Pharaoh is unmoved.  Moses tells Pharaoh to let the people go, or flies will come—but only on Egyptians.  Because Pharaoh refused, the flies did come.  Pharaoh for a second time seems to relent, but first limits his offer.  They may sacrifice, but must stay in the land. Moses will not compromise.  Pharaoh said they could leave, but stay close.  Moses prayed for the flies to be removed.  But Pharaoh’s heart hardened again, and refused to let them leave.

Luke 23

Jesus is tried before Pilate and Herod, then Pilate again.  Neither could find guilt worthy of death and Pilate told the people so.  He said that he would punish Jesus and let Him go.  But the people called for crucifixion.  they asked for the insurrectionist and murderer, Barabbas, to be released instead.  Jesus hung between two thieves.  One mocked Jesus with the people, but the other asked for mercy.  Jesus told the thief that they would be together in Paradise that day.  Jesus died and was entombed by Joseph of Arimathea.

Application and Prayer:

As the plagues begin in Exodus, we see a heart of stubborn pride in Pharaoh.  We also see Moses continuing to wonder where this is all leading.  All but the last of the plagues we read about today affected God’s people.  They had to dig for fresh water, had frogs in the homes, and later had to pile their dead bodies to rot and stink.  They had gnats on their bodies.  I can understand wondering just what God’s plan is.  In our limited way of thinking, suffering under worsening conditions doesn’t really seem like a plan to save!

Lord help me to trust You.  Help me to rise above the moments and temporary sufferings to gain Your eternal perspective.  Help me to be faithful through trials and patient for your timing.  Oh, Lord!!  Even as I type that, I want to suck those words back into my heart and hide them forever.  I know you teach patience and faith by giving us circumstances in which to practice them.  Oh Lord!!  Have mercy on me.  But not my will, but Yours!

I thank you Lord for coming to save us all.  Even those who seem to be on the ‘enemy’ side were made by You.  I am not a Jew, not a ‘chosen one.’ And yet You have graciously saved me from my sins, just as if I were Abraham, Isaac, or Joseph.  I praise You!