Day 1006: Fearing the word of the Lord - Exodus 9 vs 8 - 21

8-9 And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Take handfuls of soot from the kiln, and let Moses throw them in the air in the sight of Pharaoh. It shall become fine dust over all the land of Egypt, and become boils breaking out in sores on man and beast throughout all the land of Egypt.” 10-11 So they took soot from the kiln and stood before Pharaoh. And Moses threw it in the air, and it became boils breaking out in sores on man and beast. And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils, for the boils came upon the magicians and upon all the Egyptians. 12 But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as the Lord had spoken to Moses.

13-16 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Rise up early in the morning and present yourself before Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. For this time I will send all my plagues on you yourself, and on your servants and your people, so that you may know that there is none like me in all the earth. For by now I could have put out my hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, and you would have been cut off from the earth. But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.

17-19 You are still exalting yourself against my people and will not let them go. Behold, about this time tomorrow I will cause very heavy hail to fall, such as never has been in Egypt from the day it was founded until now. Now therefore send, get your livestock and all that you have in the field into safe shelter, for every man and beast that is in the field and is not brought home will die when the hail falls on them.”’” 20-21 Then whoever feared the word of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh hurried his slaves and his livestock into the houses, but whoever did not pay attention to the word of the Lord left his slaves and his livestock in the field. Exodus 9:8-21 English Standard Version

Today's verses give an insight into why God sent so many plagues upon the Egyptians for refusing to set His people free so that they might serve Him. What was Moses told by God to declare to Pharaoh in vs 13-16?

God could've struck Pharaoh and all the Egyptians far more severely from the start because of their stubbornness and unwillingness to obey Him. But the first four plagues were intended as signs. They were more of a bother than something to fear. But the three plagues that followed brought death and suffering to beasts and people. Many of their livestock died in the fifth plague, and then, after Moses threw some soot into the air, there was an outbreak of boils that affected people as well. And now came the threat of a devastating hailstorm. The reason for their prolonged affliction, and the increasing intensity of the plagues, was so that Pharaoh and his people would know that there is none like the God of Israel in all the earth.

Looking back at this thousands of years later, and when the gospel has had such a civilizing affect on the world, many people today would accuse God of being harsh and cruel. But we must remember that each of the plagues was showing God's supremacy and power over the Satanic inspired false god's the Egyptians served. It wasn't just a flesh and blood battle taking place, God was delivering His people out of the bondage of Satanic heathendom. God was making it known that He is the only true God. That wasn’t only a truth for Pharaoh, but a truth that is just as crucial today. That's why, in other parts of the Bible, the people of God looked back to these events as a reminder of God's power to save His people.

Does this mean there's no hope for anyone else in the world? Well, look again at the interesting reaction among the Egyptians we see in vs 20-21.

Some of them had come to realize God's awesome power, and they heeded the warning Moses gave to Pharaoh. This is the hope for all who have rebelled against God, even today. God's word has come more powerfully through the Lord Jesus Christ than it did by Moses. And if His words lead anyone to fear the wrath of God that is yet to come, then it is by taking hold of the refuge He has promised that we will be kept safe on judgment day. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.