Exodus Chap 9

http://nasb.scripturetext.com/exodus/9.htm

I am still reading and re-reading Exodus chapter 9...so please share your insights/comments on this chapter.
9:1-7
Pharaohs heart remains hardened and God send Moses to tell Pharaoh to let His people go so that they can serve Him. Pharaoh is told that if he continues to refuse then God will send another plague-this time on the beast of the field. God will also distinguish between the cattle of Egypt and the cattle of Israel. The bible does not tell us what the children of Israel are doing and thinking at this time. Were they discouraged? Were they angry? Were they patient? Were they praying?
Not sure what they were feeling but by the time I read chapter 8 - admittedly I was pretty discouraged and impatient...but reading chapter 9 this all became very alive for me. Although God is still speaking to Pharaoh through Moses...for some reason this seemed very intense and very personal between God and Pharaoh. I was amazed that Pharaoh still did not get it and continues to try to withstand the will of God. I think by now that even some of his servants wondered at the pride of Pharaoh. How awful it must be to be ruled by such an arrogant leader.

EXODUS 8: 25-32

And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land. And Moses said, It is not meet so to do: for we shall sacrifice the abominations of the Egyptians to the Lord our God: lo, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us? We will go three days' journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the Lord our God, as he shall command us. And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: entreat for me. And Moses said Behold, I go out from thee, and I will entreat the Lord that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, tomorrow; but let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the Lord. And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and entreated the Lord. And the Lord did according to the word of Moses; and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; there remained not one. And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go. EXODUS 8: 25-32

According to Matthew Henry commentary- If the children of Israel offered the sacrifices of Egypt to God then they would be an abomination to God and if they offered their own sacrifices to God then they would be an abomination to the Egyptians.
Those that would offer an acceptable sacrifice to God must:
1) Separate themselves from the wicked and profane- for we cannot have fellowship with light and darkness.
2) Must retire from the distractions of the world
3) must observe divine appointment- Do as God commands and not otherwise.

What are our surroundings? Are their items in our homes that are offensive to God? Are their issues in our hearts and minds that we have yet to confess and repent? Who are our friends and close associates? Do we compromise our walk with God? Do we spend time in God's Word while listening to the radio or t.v.? Do we shut the phones off while in prayer or reading God's Word?
Last summer I felt that the Lord would have me pray at our church at specific times and for specific purpose i.e. Monday- for our Nation, Tuesday- Persecuted Church and Friday for our Community.
Occasionally others would walk in and join me in prayer.
I do not drive - so I would take the bus there and walk home($was tight)
Up until January/February this worked out fine.
Then walking home in the ice and the snow...I was not liking this too much...
Then I was sick for about a week or two...when I felt healthy again...it snowed and it snowed...and it was too cold...(feeble excuses for someone who prays for the persecuted church and knows some of what they endure just to hear the word)
I would pray from home but it was not the same...
I am returning to prayer at church now that the weather is getting better...but oh what have I missed out on...because I chose my comfort over being obedient to God...now I know that God forgives and He is gracious to allow me another chance...But when I see someone who is mature in Christ it is usually someone who is obedient to Him and submits to His ways. I long to be someone who obeys and submits to my Lord and Savior.

Exodus 8:20-24

And the Lord said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Let my people go, that they may serve me. Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into they houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are. And I will sever in that day the land of goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the Lord in the midst of the earth. And I will put a division between my people and thy people: tomorrow shall this sign be. And the Lord did so; and there came a grievous swarm of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants houses, and into all the land of Egypt: the land was corrupted by reason of the swarm of flies. EXODUS 8:20-24

The Lord spoke to Moses - get up early and speak to Pharaoh. Tell him to let my people go so that they may serve me. God's objective is not only to set the people free from slavery but to set them free so that they can serve Him. Many time we may seek deliverance and healing from God without recognizing that our purpose is to serve Him. We seek gifts and blessings then seek to serve self rather than our Father God creator of heaven and earth. God is sending His messenger to the one who is holding His people captive. God could have just set Israel free right from the beginning. He didn't need to send Moses and He certainly doesn't need to ask Pharaoh's permission to receive what already belongs to Him. Why do you suppose that God chose this way to set His people free?

God let Pharaoh know what would happen if he did not let the people go. You would think by now that Pharaoh would realize that God kept His Word. This time God said that plague would not come upon His people but would come upon Pharaoh, the people and the land of Egypt. God is in total control He not only can send a plague but decides to whom and where it will be sent.
God controls the timing of the plague. Fear not God is in control and if we are living in a time of captivity it is God who will decide what can and can not come upon His children.

Exodus 8:16-19

And the Lord said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast.
Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said.
Exodus 8:16-19

Pharoah does not get a warning this time. The magicians attempt to duplicate but can not and they acknowledge God even unto Pharaoh. Yet Pharaoh heart continues to be hardened. Even in corrupt leadership there will be those whose hearts and minds can be changed. Even if their hearts remain unchanged their eyes might become open enough to acknowledge the truth of the sheer vanity of defying the Lord God Almighty. Those who have the ear of leadership, those who advise leadership ought always to tell their leaders the truth. Any leader would be wise to listen to truth carefully even if it is not what they want to hear. Who knows what loss and devistation could be avoided if leaders would only heed the truth? Who knows what blessings could be possible if leaders would only heed the truth? Do not withhold the truth from anyone.
Pray that all leadership will have the wisdom and the discernment to know truth and abide in the truth. That we will always have the faith, courage and boldness to speak the truth. That we too will receive truth even when it may not be what we want to hear. God's Word is truth and it has the power, to convict, deliver, forgive, love, change and save us.





INTERESTING?
link suggest that quite possibly this plague is not complete since scripture doesn't say that Pharoah requested the plague to be removed nor does it say that God removed that particular plague.
http://refbible.com/p/plagues.htm

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.

Exodus 8:1-7

Why the Plagues? The plagues were a contest between God and the gods of Egypt. Egypt had many gods and many idols. Each plague was directed toward a particular god in Egypt.
1) Blood - the Nile was the life blood of Egypt and sacred to Osiris
2) Frogs- Heka was the frog headed goddess of Egypt and it was an offense to the goddess to kill frogs.

We are to not to worship any other god.
I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

Has our society been worshiping false gods? For decades we have heard stories of people who were unable to kill rats on their property, we are told what kind of clothing is not acceptable, we are told that we should not hunt for food nor are we to chop down trees. I believe that we are to be good stewards of our environment but let us not be foolish and make idols of nature.
Lets protect the environment with wisdom as directed by the Lord our God.
Here is a link to Protected Species List

check the link and then imagine that God determined to plague your home, community and nation with one of those that are on this list. We are certainly called to be good stewards of the environment but have we gone too far? The earth is the Lords and the inhabitants thereof. It is the Lord we should seek for direction on how to care for our environment.


Exodus 20:2,3, 5
Chapter 8:1-7 And the Lord spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Let my people go, that they may serve me. And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs: And the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into thine house, and into the bedchamber, and upon thy bed, and into the house of thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thine ovens, and into thy kneadingtroughs: And the frogs shall come up both on thee, and upon the people, and upon all thy servants. And the Lord spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt. And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt. And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt.


Once again God sends Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh to tell him to let the children of Israel go worship the Lord God of Israel. Once again Pharaoh refuses. God sends a plague throughout Egypt. Frogs are everywhere!( Yech...not a fan of frogs.) v 7 says that the magicians also brought frogs upon the land of Egypt...just what Egypt needs more frogs. What kind of a battle is this you would think that the magicians of Pharaoh would at least attempt to get rid of the frogs that God had sent as a plague. But it was an offense against their goddess Heka to kill frogs so I suppose the only way they could show any power was to add more frogs to an already plagued Egypt.

This plague effected the Children of Israel as well as Pharaoh and the Egyptians. The decisions that leadership makes effects a great many people whether we agree or disagree with their decisions. Quite possible their were a few Egyptians who were thinking that Pharaoh should just let the Children of Israel go and worship God rather than face the plagues God had sent upon them.

Exodus 7:19-25

Exodus 7: 19-25
And the Lord spake unot Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, andstretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood: and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, bot in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone.
And Moses and Aaron did so, as the Lord commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.
and the fish tat was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.
And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the Lord had said.
And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also.
And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.
And seven days were fulfilled, after that the Lord had smitten the river


Moses and Aaron are obedient to God and using the rod turn the waters into blood. Pharaoh's heart remains hard set against God and the children of Israel. He calls for his magicians who duplicate what Moses and Aaron had already performed - turning the water into blood. Why wouldn't Pharaoh request of his magicians to turn the blood back into water? Did Pharaoh and the magicians truly recognize that God's power is greater than their magic? Did they know that they had no power other than what God would allow? His people the Egyptians need to dig to find water to drink. Pharaoh's pride would not allow him to yield to God.
There will be times that God will send us out with specific instructions. And though we are obedient to those specific instructions the enemy will come with a deceptive duplication. It is frustrating when some impostor rises up to steer people away from the Lord. Being obedient and submissive to God means doing no more nor less than instructed. Moses and Aaron didn't get involved in a competition with the magicians. They trusted God. When in obedience to God, Moses and Aaron turned the water into blood, it was in order that Pharaoh would let the children of Israel go to worship the Lord their God. For what purpose did the magicians turn the water into blood? Scripture does not say that Moses and Aaron engaged with the magicians nor does it say that they were flustered by them. I believe that it was God's mercy that allowed the Egyptians to find water to drink. God is merciful to a people even when their leaders are ungodly.