Year 1, Week 9, Day 1 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 9, Day 1

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Exodus 8-9.

Today’s reading focuses on seven of the plagues that the LORD inflicted on Egypt. Because of Pharaoh’s obstinacy, the LORD unleashed signs of His greatness over the gods of the Egyptians. The plagues or signs recorded in today’s reading were great infestations of frogs, gnats, and flies, death to the livestock of Egypt, extensive boils on the Egyptians, and massive destruction from hail. Running throughout the description of the plagues are repetitive statements from the LORD concerning what Israel is to do after He delivers them, as well as why the LORD is dealing with Pharaoh in such a dramatic fashion.

What struck me from today’s reading is what it reveals concerning the purpose and result of the. LORD’s work of redeeming Israel though such a dramatic means: “He sent Moses, his servant, and Aaron, whom he had chosen. They performed his signs among them and miracles in the land of Ham.” (Psalm 104:26-27). The LORD shows something of His greatness over the god’s of the Egyptians as the plagues mostly pertain to things they deemed a god. The LORD sweeps the entire conquest over Egypt’s gods. In so doing, as a precursor to rescuing the Israelites, the LORD provides a strong basis for Israel to serve Him. The LORD also proves, for all the nations to see, that He alone is God.

The LORD declares His intent for Israel: “Let my people go, that they may serve me.” (Exodus 8:1b). This result of the LORD’s deliverance is explicitly stated in the description of most the ten plagues. In most of the particular details of the plagues, it is also stated that the Israelites were exempt from the devastating effects that fell on the Egyptians. The explicit description for the plague of flies is an example of the distinction that the LORD made between His people and the Egyptians: “Thus I will put a division between my people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall happen.”’ And the LORD did so. There came great swarms of flies into the house of Pharaoh and into his servants' houses. Throughout all the land of Egypt the land was ruined by the swarms of flies” (Exodus 8:23-24). 

As the LORD was sparing His people of the effects of the plagues, He was making it clear to them that they were to serve or worship Him exactly as He required. As a compromise, Pharaoh offered Moses and the Israelites an opportunity to go and worship the LORD in a modified manner from what the LORD had stated. Moses would allow the Israelites to worship the LORD, but not in conjunction with a three-day journey into the wilderness. But Moses rejected the compromise on the basis of what the LORD required: “We must go three days' journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the LORD our God as he tells us.” (Exodus 8:27). The LORD tells His people how they are to worship Him. We should worship the LORD only in the ways He tells us to and in all the ways that He tells us to.

The other repetitive feature connected to the plaques is the purpose that the LORD attaches to them. One of the most clear statements of purpose behind the dramatic plague is found in today’s reading: “For by now I could have put out my hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, and you would have been cut off from the earth. But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth. You are still exalting yourself against my people and will not let them go.” (Exodus 9:15-17). The LORD’s work of redeeming Israel from Egypt was done in such a fashion that a message would go throughout the world concerning Israel’s God—He alone is God.

The devastating effects of destroying the gods of the Egyptians was immediately achieving some of its intended purposes. Some if the Egyptians began to take seriously the Word of the LORD:  “Then whoever feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh hurried his slaves and his livestock into the houses, but whoever did not pay attention to the word of the LORD left his slaves and his livestock in the field.” (Exodus 9:20-21). Even Pharaoh was affected by the dramatic devastation from the plagues: “This time I have sinned; the LORD is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong. Plead with the LORD, for there has been enough of God's thunder and hail. I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer.” (Exodus 9:27b-28). Unfortunately, Pharaoh’s admission of guilt was not joined to a genuine repentant faith, and he was quickly back to his old ways: "But when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunder had ceased, he sinned yet again and hardened his heart, he and his servants.” (Exodus 9:34). Tragically, Pharaoh’s heart hardness will remain till he is destroyed, for while he feigned a confession of sin, he remained opposed to the LORD: “I know that you do not yet fear the LORD God.” (Exodus 9:30).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe