#LENT2019 Day 8: Exodus 9-10
(For our lent devotional, we’ll be going through the book of Exodus with the rest of our church and be looking at the hand of God carrying the Israelites through their captivity and oppression as well as their sin and unbelief. Keep up with us as we look at how much God loves His people and never leaves us alone.)
First, read: Exodus 9-10.
In this part of Exodus, God starts getting really really personal with the plagues. They’re no longer just about the natural; God here attacks Egypt personally in the plagues that he brings. Pharaoh has just gone back on his word yet again, and God tells Moses to say that he’s going to bring plagues of hail that kills the livestock, sores and boils over the body, of locusts that eat up the grain, and of darkness so thick you can feel it. But God doesn’t just spring it onto the Egyptians— He lets them know that it’s gonna happen. But Pharaoh still doesn’t budge.
God is very particular about these: first, there’s the hail, and then, there’s the boils; then in chapter 10, first there are the locusts, and second, there is the tanglbly thick darkness that halls upon Egypt, four terrible signs of God’s wrath and power. In these, there’s a distinction between Israel and Egypt— Goshen, where God’s people dwell, are not affected by these famines at all. God makes it clear where He stands and what power He holds.
A really interesting part of this narrative is in the Plague of Boils. The way that God brings this one about is particular. God doesn’t warn the people, but just tells Moses to do this in response to Pharaoh:
“Take handfuls of soot from the kiln, and let Moses throw them in the air in the sight of Pharaoh.It shall become fine dust over all the land of Egypt, and become boils breaking out in sores on man and beast throughout all the land of Egypt.”
Now, soot refers to ashes. Ashes were used in the Bible to symbolize anguish, mourning, and distress. It also is important to keep in mind that ashes are a reference to fire, and easily symbolize the judgment that befalls Egypt because of their oppression of Israel, their disobedience to God’s command, and their reliance on idolatry instead.
At this point, the magicians try talking sense into Pharaoh. Exasperated, they implore him to let the Israelites go— doesn’t he see what it’s doing to Egypt to hold into Israel? But God continues to harden Pharaoh’s heart, as He had spoken through Moses. And He doesn’t leave much to the imagination. God, after letting Moses know that Pharaoh isn’t going to budge, He reveals why he does this:
“I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants that i may show these signs of mine among them.” It’s all in God’s plan.
But the most important thing I want to focus on was that Moses was pissed at Pharaoh.
Backtrack with me on the events of chapter 10. The locusts come, Pharaoh pleads, and then changes his words with adding requests, and Moses doesn’t budge. Pharaoh’s heart hardens, and he goes back on his word. God brings the plague of darkness over Egypt. Darkness comes and lasts for 3 whole days in all of Egypt but Goshen, where Israel was. Pharaoh says to leave the herds, another request, because the magicians and people are crying out. Moses doesn’t budge. Neither does Pharaoh. Pharaoh says to Moses,
“Get away from me; take care never to see my face again, for on the day you see my face you shall die.” Moses replies,
“As you say! I will not see your face again.”
Y’all. He’s pissed. And honestly, I can relate.
I don’t know about you guys, but I suck at waiting for something when i know it’s coming.
When it’s fifteen days before Christmas, or break, or there’s a big event at the end of the week, I spend every minute and hour hoping that time would fly to the appointed hour. It naturally affects my temperament, and in the process of everything, I get really really cranky. Emotions run high, and even when a friend cracks the slightest joke I react. It’s just a byproduct of waiting— for a lot of us, waiting for something to happen is just so hard. Even though I know that the day I’m waiting for will come regardless of how I act, i still act out because my impatience flares. And I imagine that’s what going on with Moses here.
Now, Pharaoh is an instrument for God’s glory. And God has vocalized that to Moses. Even in his hardenedness, Pharaoh is a part of God’s plan to show his signs to Egypt and Israel. But Moses was impatient to see the freedom that God promised, and even though God was telling him what was going to happen, he was still pissed. It says in the next chapter that he had “hot anger” towards Pharaoh.
Moses has nothing to get worked up over. He has nothing to be upset about, because everything is going according to God’s plan. But he still gets caught on his emotion. And in response to Moses getting foolishly upset, God is still faithful to carry out all His plans, because His love for Moses and Israel never had anything to do with Moses’ weaknesses and therefore, Moses’ shortcoming of anger couldn’t stand in the way of God.
Can you relate to this? Have you ever ignored God and acted on your own emotion, regardless of what He’s said He would do? Like, God, how come my family isn’t getting better? Or, God, how come this situation just isn’t lifting like You said? Don’t you love me? Or even, God, how come I am this way? How could you make me this way and let me do these sins? I know you said you’re working on me and that you love me, but how could you let me go on like this?
Today, as we reflect on how we get impatient as we’re in the space between God’s promise and His plans coming into completion, let’s stop our impatient, frustrated hearts and reflect on the faithfulness of the Father. Let’s not get caught up in what we see, because God’s got it. Let’s learn to trust Him and lean on Him today as we wait joyfully on God, because He’s already won the Battle anyway.
Have a victorious, peaceful Monday everyone. God’s not done with you— and He’s working it out. So wait in joy.
love,
janedo
