7:5 When I raise my powerful hand and bring out the Israelites, the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.”
God definitely shows His power. He turns all the rivers into blood; He fills the land with frogs; He fills the land with knats; He fills the land with flies; He sends disease to kill livestock; He sends boils on man and animals; He sends a huge hailstorm unlike any other before or since; He sends locusts to eat what the hailstorm didn't destroy; He sends darkness to cover the earth for three days. With all those plagues, He caused them only in the land of Egypt and not in the neighboring land of Goshen where the Israelites lived.
He said, "8:23 I will make a clear distinction between my people and your people. This miraculous sign will happen tomorrow.’”
24 And the Lord did just as he had said.
24 And the Lord did just as he had said.
I have a feeling that is still a sentiment He holds - He wants there to be a clear distinction between His people and 'the world'. That is a very convicting verse for me, because I feel like I am not 'as distinct' as He desires. God, continue to purge and purify me to be different.
I'm going to list some verses that provoked some thoughts as I read. I think they are pretty much self explanatory.
9:5 The Lord has already set the time for the plague to begin. He has declared that he will strike the land tomorrow.’”
6 And the Lord did just as he had said.
9:15By now I could have lifted my hand and struck you and your people with a plague to wipe you off the face of the earth.16 But I have spared you for a purpose—to show you my power and to spread my fame throughout the earth.
9:20 Some of Pharaoh’s officials were afraid because of what the Lord had said. They quickly brought their servants and livestock in from the fields. 21 But those who had no respect for the word of the Lord left theirs out in the open.
9:29 “All right,” Moses replied. “As soon as I leave the city, I will lift my hands and pray to the Lord. Then the thunder and hail will stop, and you will know that the earth belongs to the Lord. 30 But I know that you and your officials still do not fear the Lord God.”
10:2 I’ve also done it so you can tell your children and grandchildren about how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and about the signs I displayed among them—and so you will know that I am the Lord.”
3 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: How long will you refuse to submit to me?
God will do what He says He will do. Which is a scary thought when I read Revelation. He is going to send 'plagues' against the earth at the end of time as well. And even though God displays His power, there will still be those who do not acknowledge Him:
Rev. 9:20 But the people who did not die in these plagues still refused to repent of their evil deeds and turn to God. They continued to worship demons and idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood—idols that can neither see nor hear nor walk! 21 And they did not repent of their murders or their witchcraft or their immorality or their thefts.
He loves me. He gave His Son for me. That is depicted in the last section of today's reading in Exodus. It shows the foreshadowing of Christ. Just as the Israelites were to sprinkle the blood of a lamb over their doorposts so that the destroying angel would not kill their first born son (the last plague), the only reason God passes over me now is because of the blood of His son, the Lamb of God, that has been 'sprinkled over my heart' when by faith, I believed.
God has a plan.
12:40 The people of Israel had lived in Egypt for 430 years. 41 In fact, it was on the last day of the 430th year that all the Lord’s forces left the land. 42 This night had been reserved by the Lord to bring his people out from the land of Egypt, so this night belongs to him. It must be celebrated every year, from generation to generation, to remember the Lord's deliverance.
What happens on this earth is 'not random'. The events that are playing out around us right now are pre-arranged.
If I don't read the Bible, I lose sight as to what God is doing and I have 'the world's' perspective on events, and not His. God, please continue to change me through Your word.
EVen those who God punishes are a part of his great and perfect plan. He wants to help us and guide us. Goshen was almost smack dab in the middle of Egypt, and weather patterns would avoid that area all on their own. God was there and he is here.
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