Exodus 8 to 10 God has His ways to get our attention. Recently there have been fires, some natural and some intentional but the result is the same; the land is devastated and the animals, people, and businesses suffer. God allows some and some He purposes just as He did in Egypt.
The Israelites needed to learn obedience, submission, and trust in a God that they only had heard about but had, for 400 yrs. not seen His evidentiary hand. The Egyptian Pharaoh needed to learn that he was not God. Through these plagues, the Israelites would see how God treats His own children apart from unbelievers. God’s purpose was to show His strength and that His name might be declared in all the earth.
One thing we can learn from these plagues is that it takes only one man to alter a nation’s rise or fall. Just like in Egypt the counselors advised, after seeing the evidence, that the land and the nation were being destroyed by the finger of God. But, Pharaoh hardened his heart to the cries of the people and God.
When Moses asked Pharaoh when he should ask for the removal of the frogs he answered tomorrow. Why not today? Why tomorrow? Men’s hearts are cold and hard and yet God is merciful as He provides time after time a way for them to bow the knee to Him. Know this, Pharaoh and others who refuse to bow the knee now will find themselves bowing the knee and confessing that God is God alone.
What does God need to do for you to submit to Him? Learn from Pharaoh.
Gen 48 The psalmist wrote that we are to prepare the next generation to praise Him and then, in turn, tell the next generation about the Lord’s praiseworthy acts, his strength and the amazing things he has done. The reason is so that they will place their confidence in God and not forget the works of Him and obey His commands. [Psalm 78 paraphrase] How often do we fail to do just that and our children wonder what God did in our lives? We prepare our wills and leave it to lawyers to share our meager wealth but what about our testimony of what God has done in our lives?
Genesis 44 God has used the separation of several years to soften the heart of Judah. Judah brought great grief to his father Jacob and no amount of consoling brought him relief. Jacob gave up all hope so when Judah wanted to take Benjamin to get more grain in Egypt it was the last straw. While that scenario was happening back in Canaan Joseph had sat in the dark of the dungeon until one day God intervened and now he sat second in command.
Genesis 40 Wonder what life in Pharaoh’s Palace was like? We need to look no further than this chapter before us. There is intrigue, questions about loyalty and the power of the scepter! Sounds much like the story of Esther where a despot ruled and people fell or rose according to the king’s whim. This was not nirvana but real life. There were suffering and tempers that must be soothed. While the cupbearer and the baker walked the palace halls, Joseph walked the prison floors. All three would become entwined just because of unexplainable dreams and God’s intervention. Two officials ended up in a dungeon where they met Joseph their newly appointed attendant. Even palace prisoners have a hierarchy it seems.
Genesis 34 & 2Sam 13 When we come across stories like these two chapters we would like to avoid them because they “stink to high heaven.” Yet God has placed these here to remind us that His inspired word is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction and training in righteousness.
The Rest of Cinderella’s Story: Gen 21