As we have seen in the book of Exodus, we find a powerful account of God’s interaction with Moses and Pharaoh, as God seeks to deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
The fifth plague that God used was the occurrence of the plague of livestock, where God demonstrated his power once again.
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews: Let my people go, so that they may serve me.
‘For if you refuse to let them go and still hold them, the hand of the Lord will strike with a deadly pestilence your livestock in the field:
‘The horses, the donkeys, the camels, the herds, and the flocks.
But the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that nothing shall die of all that belongs to the Israelites’” (Exodus 9.1-4).
What message did God convey with the plague on Egyptian livestock?
The majority of Americans are monotheistic, whether Christian, Jewish, or Muslim. In contrast, the vast majority of Egyptians at the time of Moses were polytheistic.
Each of the animals who were affected by the fifth plague represented an Egyptian god.
Moses identified God as Jehovah, the One True God of the Hebrews. The plague revealed Jehovah’s supremacy over the Egyptian gods. This message was certainly not lost on the people of the land.
Free to Worship and Serve
There are two predominant words for worship in the New Testament. “Lateria” means service and servitude, and implies religious service or worship.
The other word, “proskuneo” speaks of falling down or prostrating oneself before the Lord in awe of his presence.
God’s consistent message to Pharaoh and every other system of bondage is, “Let my people go, so that they may serve me” (verse 1).
God does not free us to serve ourselves and to live independently of his guidance. He frees us to live in awe of his presence and to serve his purposes for our lives.
Time to Repent
During the plagues, there were multiple instances when God allowed Pharaoh an opportunity to repent. The announcement of the fifth plague was made, but it was scheduled to occur on the following day.
The Lord set a time, saying, “Tomorrow the Lord will do this thing in the land” (Exodus 9.5).
Pharaoh was given time to change his mind and soften his heart. That is not what Pharaoh did, but I know many people who have used God’s warnings as opportunities to repent.
I fully agree with Henry Blackaby who counsels people, “When God reveals his will, we must hasten to align our lives with it.”
Judgment and a Hardened Heart
Pharaoh’s heart hardened as all Egyptian livestock perished while the Israelites’ remained unharmed.
And on the next day the Lord did so; all of the Egyptians’ livestock died, but none of the Israelites’ livestock died.
Pharaoh inquired and found that not even one of the Israelites’ livestock had died. But the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he would not let the people go (Exodus 9.6-7).
Reading about Pharaoh’s hard heart is like listening to a broken record, over and over again. Let’s conclude the article with some suggestions we may try to overcome our hard and obstinate hearts.
(1) Prayer and Reflection: This is at the top of the list because it is the foundation for interaction with God.
Engaging in regular prayer and introspection can help individuals examine their hearts and seek a closer relationship with God.
By humbly asking for guidance and expressing a willingness to change, we can begin to overcome a hard heart.
(2) Studying the Bible: When we pray, we talk to God. When we read the Bible, we open the door for God to talk to us.
Reading and reflecting on passages that emphasize God’s love, forgiveness, and mercy can foster a greater understanding and openness to spiritual transformation.
(3) Serving Others: My friends in the world of Alcoholics Anonymous emphasize the value of service work.
Engaging in acts of kindness, compassion, and service to others can help break down the barriers of a hard heart.
Think about how genuine service would have changed Pharaoh’s heart and that of tyrants everywhere.
By selflessly extending love and assistance to those in need, we can experience the transformative power of God’s love, leading to a softened heart and a deeper connection with our Lord and Savior.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 