Today's readings are taken from Exodus 10:1-12:51. You can read along HERE
Today continues with the last of the plagues on Egypt. The thing that really stood out to me was the plague of darkness where it could "be felt" (v 21). Darkness that could be felt. I just tried to picture what that would be like, to FEEL the darkness. It would of been terrifying. To not be able to see a thing, to feel this darkness, this load, heaviness all around. Then I thought that it is what hell will be like. Utter darkness, for God is light and He will not be there. What a horrid horrid place, a place to be in darkness that you can FEEL forever. Thank God that He saved me from that place...
The last plague that gets Pharaoh's attention at last is the plague on the first born son (chapter 11). It is here that God outlines "Passover" when he passes over the house that has the blood of the lamb sprinkled on the doorways and does not kill the first born son.
My mother's family are Jewish, more culturally I would think than religiously, although my Nanna does go to Synagogue and light candles and do all those other things, noone else in the family does much else. I never really GOT what Passover was (and I celebrated 20 years of them before I became a Christian) until I became a Christian. To me it means SO much more now than it did back then. Mainly the lamb that is sacfriced, without blemish, just as our Saviour Jesus was. The herbs that were to be eaten were to help the Israelites to recall the bitter years of slavery and the unleavened bread was a reflection on their haste to leave Egypt. To me it just showed that with God, EVERYTHING has a meaning behind it and a purpose. He didn't just say to eat something because he thought it would taste good (or yuck! those bitter herbs are bitter LOL), or because he thought it would be entertaining or whatever. When God says something its for a meaning a purpose. I am trying to hold on to that at the moment as I go through a trial that I have been going through for some years now. That everything that is happening has a reason, a purpose and God will bring me out like he brought the Israelites out.
What spoke to you in these verses today?
Tomorrow's readings are from Exodus 13:1-15:27
9 comments:
Thanks for highlighting that issues of darkness, it had not hit me like that. I love that God impresses different elements of the Word of each of us so we can share.
There is SO much in this text!
I was impressed to speak more of this story with my children and even to have this "as a feast to the Lord" in our home. For, really, it's validity is in the home of Christ followers more than those who did not accept Him.
I always love this part of the story where God lays on the hearts of the Egyptians to give silver and gold to the people upon request. It just shows how he will provide money even from the hands of our "enemies" if we need it for his purposes.
It also struck me the detail of this celebration being for each house (12:46). They were not t bring the flesh out of the house or break any of it's bones. THough there are many referances to Christ, this one is strong. The fact of none of his bones being broken was in prophecy. But, I was hit with the rule of it being for every home. Christ was not as much for the multitudes as He was for the intimate salvation of each of us. He was not to be preached in Latin to a multitude who depended on one man to tell them all what everything meant, he was for each of us. He was not a mass movement to follow (as men do so often without thought Acts 19:32 and the story surrounding) but for intimate relationship with us all.
That just really struck me and encouraged me. God is an intimate God with His people.
There was so much more. It made me want to research the parallels a bit.
I have to admit, I haven't been following along with all of the blog posts & comments lately...so I don't know if this has been talked about yet or not, but here's my thing:
I don't get why God is hardening Pharoah's heart all the time. I mean, I know it's so that He can show His miraculous works and it is another example of how suffering isn't necessarily a result of wrong-doings (like in Job). But I struggle with it a bit in this circumstance -- it feels like God is taking away Pharoah's free-will. With Job, sure, he brought suffering upon Him for what seemed like no good reason -- but Job could still feel and act however he wanted in response to it all.
But here with Pharoah -- well, He basically has no choice but to keep sinning and going back on his promises. I guess I just don't understand it.
I also don't understand why God took things so far; so far as to kill every first born in each of the Egyptian's households.
I don't know...I guess I just really struggled with this whole portion of scripture.
Andrea,
I'm getting my family up and ready for the day but I'd like to get back to you after praying for some thoughts. I'd love to hear some others thoughts too.
I just wanted to take this second to say though that I'm so refreshed to hear you ask and say you are struggling. I think God is always glorified when we do this with a heart that want's to understand (not always justify, but understand) His ways in scripture. We have to remember we may not always understand (thus the "lean not on your own understanding" command) BUT, I do think he is faithful to show us when we seek and what we will find is His goodness.
I'll BE BACK....(she said in her best Arnold voice...which was not very good;)
When I was reading about the locusts, I thought of a horror movie. The plagues of Egypt would probably make a great one - if I watched horror movies, which I don't. The darkness must have been horrifying as well. I didn't make the connection to hell, Nicole, but it must have felt like it to them at the time. Have you ever noticed how slowly time passes when you're in darkness? Those three days must have felt like a lifetime.
Andrea, I don't claim any special knowledge here - I never went to Bible school or anything, and didn't even attend church much for about 10 years, but I talked in my last guest post about God using his signs and wonders to strengthen the faith of the Israelites. Pharoah and the Egyptians were not God's people. They did not worship him, nor did they respect his laws. In my uneducated opinion, the plagues were demonstrations of God's power and his being in control of everything for the benefit of the Israelites - to strengthen their faith - not necessarily for the benefit of Pharoah or the Egyptians. Also, Pharoah had enslaved, mistreated and killed the Israelites for years. He tried to have all boy babies that were born to the Israelites killed. I would say in light of that, the firstborn sons being killed wasn't that unjust. I don't have any thoughts on the free-will aspect. We can see how it was a part of God's plan, but as for pre-destination and free will - I'm not familiar enough to speculate.
Andrea, in preparing for tomorrow's post, I came across a good discussion about that whole "hardening of the heart" thing. Check it out here. (it's in the conclusion section)
I noticed more keenly the description of the tangeible darkness this time, too. Hard to imagine what that would have been like. I've been outdoors sometimes at night, just before a thunderstorm, when there are no stars and just this oppressive, heavy humidity and the feeling of imminent danger. I wonder if it was anything like that? Man, how scary must that have been??!!
Andrea,
I know a lot of people, including myself, hate to have sermons or long passages to read linked to them, but if you are truly searching and can take the time I have a link for you. First of all I want to say that I do not think John Piper is the final say I just always grow from his teaching:)
In regard to your specific questions on this text I think this sermon answers those very well. You could just read it on this link but I've listened to it myself today and you miss a great deal when you just read it. I really cannot add anything to this because it's detailed, biblical, and complete.
I do have just a few thoughts rolling around in my head for you.
One, I'm so excited you are thinking about this because it is linked to the biggest mystery of God that we as belivers have to groppel with and that is the source of evil. A few months ago this concept was my focus of study and I did a blog post on it you can find here if you want to read it:
http://whatsupwithusnow.blogspot.com/2009/11/where-did-evil-come-from.html
These big mysteries (predestination and election) are the biggest of the big. They are confusing like the concept of evangelism and it's importance if we are predestined etc. Our pastor always gives us an overhead illustration that helps with these mysteries. Let me state first that they ARE UNANSWERED mysteries. Duet 29:29 "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law."
The illustration is a simple drawing of a mountain peek with a cloud over the top. One side of the mountain is for our part and the other is for God's part and the way they connect is a mystery to us. THis applies to many concepts of theology. Sometimes we just don't like the fact that he does not tell us everything. MOre than that we do not like that we disagree with Him. I had a friend speak to me on that once and it blew my mind to think about. Should we expect that we should always AGREE with God? No, I don't think so. Should that threaten our faith? No, absolutely not. For we do not understand God or we would be God. It's okay to not agree with Him. It's not okay to not accept things as He has set them up and obey Him. We are so like children. We don't understand our Father's ways but we fall back in our times of understanding of the faith we have in His love for us. I KNOW my children do not always agree with me but if they obey me with a right attitude I commend them even more for obeying in faith and submission.
It's a very deep and very confusing concept and I think it's good to search it out. It helps us find where our finite thinking ends and His takes over.
Anway..this sermon deals EXACTLY with what you say and he talks about Paul dealing with the same exact question you are asking as it was asked in Romas 9:17 (vs. 17 refers to Pharaoh in the exact place we are in our reading) and on. vs.18" So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires. (and asking as you and us all they say...) vs 19 "You will say to me then, 'Why does He still find fault For who resists His will? Well... read the rest and listen to the sermon it's all there.
I hope this is helpful and I hope the Lord encourages your heart.<3
LINK:
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/sermons/byscripture/30/124_The_Hardening_of_Pharaoh_and_the_Hope_of_the_World/
oh, and one more thing. We may disagree with GOd...but we are always wrong. IT's just that WE don't know how we are wrong and all we can see is our side and opinion.
God can never be wrong and us right, it just does not happen. BUT, we will disagree with Him at times.
I just thought I'd better settle that.
Thank you for all of your comments towards my questions. I appreciate the insights and links and I will check them all out when I have the time. Thanks again!
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