Here are a few observations I saw in this 7th wonder. I'd love to here some of your observations or thoughts on these.
1. God's mercy ~ Mingled in the heavy hand of God on the land of Egypt is mercy. After God pronounces the coming hail storm through Moses he says this in vs. 19, "Now therefore send, get your livestock and all that you have in the field into safe shelter, for every man and beast that is in the field and is not brought home will die when the hail falls on them." These are God's words! This is his idea! What else could this be than mercy. Yes, some will refuse Pharaoh being one of them even as God has hardened his heart. But God is extending his hand of mercy and compassion to the Egyptians who will listen to his word. Make no mistake... God is kind and merciful.
2. Moses' boldness ~ The boldness of Moses keeps growing with each passing wonder. Moses isn't afraid in the least to call a spade a spade. He looks at Pharaoh and flat out tells him the truth without any fear. I think the more we obey God and follow him the stronger will be in our convictions lacking the fear of man. He's a good example for us to follow.
3. "The bottom" is a long way down ~ Some of you know that "the bottom" is a lot further down than we think. You've heard the saying: they just haven't hit the bottom yet. Pharaoh's land has been significantly battered, but not completely. Vs. 31 explains the lack of fear Pharaoh has of God and says this, "The flax and the barley were struck down, for the barley was in the ear and the flax was in the bud. But the wheat and the emmer were not struck down, for they are late in coming up." So not everything was destroyed; Pharaoh still had something to depend on. "Hitting the bottom" doesn't equal repentance and faith; only Jesus makes that possible.
Those are some things I've seen. What about you.
Pastor Brian
2 comments:
The first thing that also stuck out right away to me was God's mercy in giving the people warning. Quite incredible really. The plague was the most devastating so far, but in the severity came His biggest act of mercy. He gives opportunity for people to surrender to Him. In this study of Exodus Sam and I have had several discussions on the delicate balance, it seems, of God's requirement of His worship and His power, (our need to surrender to that, which reveals our heart's position toward Him), and yet His lavish undeserved grace and mercy, in the midst of our not always (or ever!) meeting that standard of His holiness . We are wrestling as we try to wrap our minds around that completely. We are incredibly grateful for Jesus' sacrifice. He certainly bridges the gap.
Hey Tawnya,
Thanks so much for your thoughts and you finished perfectly. God's severe righteousness and holiness and his inexpressible mercy and grace collide at the cross at Calvary. Do you want to know the holiness of God? Look at cross. Do you want to know the astounding, unspeakable love and mercy? Look at the cross. Love it.
We are to wake up everyday utterly convinced that we deserve nothing but judgment, but also, utterly amazed and joyful over God's merciful acceptance of us in Jesus. We won't know one without the other, will we?
Thanks for sharing and joining me in the journey.
Your friend,
Brian
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