Thursday, March 12, 2009

Exodus 8:8-15

Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Entreat the Lord, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the Lord.
And Moses said unto Pharaoh, Glory over me: when shall I entreat for thee, and for thy servants, and for thy people, to destroy the frogs from thee and thy houses, that they may remain in the river only?
And he said, Tomorrow, And he said, Be it according to thy word: that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the Lord our God.
And the frogs shall depart from thee, and from thy houses, and from thy servants, and from thy people; they shall remain in the river only.
And Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh: and Moses cried unto the Lord because of the frogs which he had brought against Pharaoh.
And the Lord did according to the word of Moses; and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the villages, and out of the fields.
And they gathered them together upon heaps: and the land stank
But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them: as the Lord had said.
Exodus 8:8-15

Pharaoh pleads with Moses to take away the plague of the frogs and then he will let the people go. Have you ever pleaded with someone to make a bad circumstance better and then you will give them what they want? Do you think that Pharaoh recognizes that God is speaking through Moses? That Moses is doing as God instructs? Or does Pharaoh believe that Moses is just perhaps another magician? What do you think was foremost on Pharaoh's mind-God, Moses, the children of Israel-No it was the frogs--Get these frogs out of here!!! If you do this for me I will give you what you want? Sorta of sounds familiar...if you bow down to me I will give you the world Do you think that Pharaoh has any idea of the power and authority of the Lord our God?
Sometimes we attempt to make deals with God and so far that has not worked out very well for me. How about you?
Moses agrees to make this request to God in behalf of Pharaoh...was it Pharaoh's wisdom or pride that kept him directly from making this request of God? Considering the pride of the man I would have thought that he would want to deal directly with God rather than his messenger
Moses prays for Pharaoh and we too are to pray for others, even those who mean us harm.
We are to pray that they will know the Lord our God.

And he said, Tomorrow, And he said, Be it according to thy word: that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the Lord our God.
Exodus 8:10

Pharaoh's heart was hardened and he broke his promise as soon as his prayers are answered. Hearts and minds are not changed by circumstances-we need Jesus to work in our hearts. When our hearts and mind are open to Jesus - then He who began a good work in us will continue until the day of Christ Jesus. If we are only moved by circumstance then each time the circumstance changes, so will we.

2 comments:

From the Heart said...

Does that remind you of someone we all know? All we can do is pray for God's will and His protection.

Thanks for your comment on my blog. It means a lot.
AliceE.

Dorothy Champagne said...

I do think that pride is hard for all of us at all levels. I think the prayer of humility is one that is the true character trait of a Christian. Asking God to give you the opportunity to be a servant - shows a true willingness to be used by Him. Pharoah never had this - nor wanted it. He wanted to be served. Too bad he didn't realize we get so much more joy out of serving than the moment of pleasure that being served gives. Good thoughts!