EXODUS 8:1 “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.” MY PEOPLE #2. [Mat.2:5] “My people, Israel,” people of promise from days in ancient Ur; God Himself, identifying them – not because they were great, But because in sovereign grace, He chose a small tribe, so obscure, And claims them, His, through Abram, the father of people of faith. Nothing in them deserved such attention from God, the great “I AM.” They were despised by the tribes around who bowed to gods so dark. Yet the Lord whose plans are so far beyond the simple plans of men; Set His love upon them there, and chose to move them to a promised land afar.
[Acts 7:34] Down in Egypt for hundreds of years, bound in slavery’s chains; The bondage increasing yearly ‘til cries of pain rose up to God. Listening from high in heaven above, God’s steps in to lay His claims; “My people in Egypt” I am going to deliver them I give My word. Moses, His man, came back from away in the desert where he learned, That God does His work of deliverance when His mighty arm is made bare. He identifies Himself this time as the God of power, not love that had been spurned, And with His mighty power brings them out – and then in – and was with them there.
[Rom.9:25-26] Generations come and go, and nations rise and fall – The Lord God of Israel promised, His prophecies never fail. Some people were willing to follow Him, responding to His call; And others in pride and selfishness against their God did rail. Yet God in mercy still looks on and says they are still His people; The plans and purposes He laid out, will every one come to pass. Proofs of fulfillment are there to see, giving evidence that it’s needful; For every prediction, prophecy and promise from God’s word will surely last.
[2Cor.6:16] Today “My people” refers, it’s clear, to those who choose to be; Separated unto God from the worldly systems around. It is not a high-minded or prideful act, but they have come to see; God dwells in them and walks in them – they are not their own. God desires to act as a Father should, to those who are twice born – He calls them to step away from wrong, choosing what is right. We are not to yoke with unbelievers – children of Almighty Lord – We are called by Him, “My people.” children of day, not of the night.
[Rev.18:4] “Come out of her, My people,” comes a strong voice from on high. Babylon seemed so strong, and many choose to join What seemed to them, success, from Babylon they could buy Everything the flesh could want – it is hard to stand alone. Stepping out with faith in God – they put life on the line; Looking back, they see the flames of all the world holds dear. Righteous God who judges men, says of the separate ones – “They’re Mine.” At His side, and forevermore, where the Lord is - they’ll be near.
“Father God, the God of Thy ancient people Israel, and the Lord God of Thy people today: with appreciation and humility, I thank Thee that I am part of those that are able to be called “My people” in this day. Please impress on all of us the great blessing and great responsibility of being part of such an honored group. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
EXODUS 8:20-9:12 THE SECOND THREE PLAGUES The plagues that came upon Egypt grew in intensity as each succeeding one came. Stubbornness is self- centered and is an act of rebellion against God. One of the more serious effects of stubbornness like Pharaoh had, is its effects on those we are with. It often blinds the person to the mind and truth of God. When that attitude is released, God is able to work His will in our lives.
When the plague of flies covered all the people, animals and even the ground on which they walked, and would be on the faces of the Egyptians and would be drawn in when they breathed, Pharaoh finally had to admit the fact that "God is." But he only acknowledged Him as the God of the Israelites -"Your God." That same attitude is there in many today who trust in the knowledge of science but have to admit there is more that science cannot explain. They admit that "God is" but is nothing to them. The flies did not go into the land of Goshen where the Jews lived. Pharaoh realized in that way the distinctness of the Israelites and was willing to let them "sacrifice in the land." Compromises are sought among those who are Christians and those who claim to be Christians. "Do not go too far," is not an uncommon attitude today. "You have your truth and I have my truth," is a statement often heard today from those who profess to be Christians when they talk to God's people. It is an attempt of Satan to keep God's people comfortable in an ungodly world system. It is wrong to try to negotiate some kind of compromise between truth and expediency. We either obey God or we don't obey Him. There is no such thing as half-obedience. Partial obedience is not obedience at all.
As the plagues continued, for the first time, death was introduced as one of the results of human disbelief and rejection of God. Pharaoh had heard the warnings and continued to resist and reject God. God didn't harden Pharaoh's heart by overriding his freedom to make choices. He simply confirmed what Pharaoh chose. Ignoring the voice of God repeatedly will some day result in one not hearing it at all. How challenging it is to be reminded that the decisions and choices we make have a far-reaching effect. The livestock of the Egyptians all died because of one man's choice to refuse to obey God. This effect of human sin is felt all over the world and will not cease until the time when the lion will lie down with the lamb during the millennium. Pharaoh found out that not one of the cattle of the Israelites had died, and he hardened his heart against them and the God of Israel. It would appear from later reading of the plagues when other cattle died, that he must have confiscated some of their cattle.
When Moses next stood before Pharaoh in the early morning, he didn't speak to him but threw dust into the air in the sight of Pharaoh so he not only experienced the plague of boils but saw it happen right before his eyes. No longer did the magicians try to copy the plagues. They knew it was a work of God. Truth will always win over deception. Righteousness will be the victor over evil. The boils and their painful effect were on the bodies of man and beast alike in Egypt! Pharaoh had seen the evidence of the power of God creating life out of dust. He watched nature being released from its normal restraints to bring judgment on him and his nation and still he did not repent. When God used the key of death so the cattle died, still he would not respond to the call of God to deliver His people. The physical pain of his people and even that inflicted on him touched him personally and still his resistance to God continued. It was a battle of the will. "He that being often reproved and hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy."
God will work His will and there is no power that can stop it. No self-willed person can stop the wheels of divine justice and judgment once the time of repentance is deliberately ignored. A principle that affects every part of life is both a warning, and an encouragement. "Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap."
There is no real explanation can be given for the hardness of the human heart. No matter what happens afterward, once in a course we choose to start We will have to accept the consequences, many over which we have no control To stop or change their direction, or their effect upon our soul.
Many things written in the Bible are there for our personal instruction. We learn what leads to life eternal and what leads to eternal destruction. To pay attention to what we read and from that apply lessons we learn - Will do us good in days to come when we wonder which way to turn.
God had for many years withheld His divine retribution But a time came when no longer would He tolerate His people's condition.
It is possible we may mistakenly believe there are no consequences To the wrong decisions we make, and unfortunately lower our defenses.
Learn from the past, those things are written for our learning and admonition. Lest we forget and think God will ignore the wrongness of a given situation, Stop in advance to think of what the outcome of an action may be. It may be what happened to others, will be a warning to me.
Our longsuffering God patiently waits for His Word to work His will. But the responsibility to act appropriately lies in the area of my choices still. When there is judgment going on around me, and yet God keeps me safe, I recognize this as a blessing from Him according to the riches of His grace.
"Father, this day has been a restful day after eighteen hours a day for the last week of public speaking and busy activity. I thank Thee for this opportunity to get back in a position of hearing Thy voice in a still small way, rather than through the loud voices of those who have been preaching Thy Word. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."