God’s words are active, convey his power and establish his superiority over all earthly authorities.
When individuals in positions of authority resist God, they are not merely opposing God’s messengers but are directly challenging God Himself. Their resistance is bound to fail, as they are in opposition to the divine.
The progression of each plague, growing in severity, serves as a visual representation of the foolishness of resisting the Almighty.
Exodus provides a thorough description of the plague of hail, emphasizing its significance as a message from God to all humanity.
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Get up early in the morning, confront Pharaoh and say to him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me,
“Or this time I will send the full force of my plagues against you and against your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no one like me in all the earth” (Exodus 9/13-14).
Freedom from slavery to sin and the world’s system should lead us to worship. We worship God in awe of his Person and in gratitude for his grace.
God acts in human history to reveal his true nature to humans. There is only one God and he has revealed himself to us through his mighty works.
Multiple Opportunities
God could have killed Pharaoh and the Egyptian masters at any time. Instead, he provided multiple deeds of power to convince the Egyptians of his power and might.
“For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth.
But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth” (Exodus 9.15-16).
In today’s YouTube video, Rudy Ross and I talk about how God gave our friend Josh Monk another chance at life. Josh experienced God’s power and might and proclaimed God’s greatness to everyone who would listen.
God’s deeds of power are signs that point to his greatness, grace, love, and desire to personally relate to humans. The best gift we can give ourselves is to positively respond to his invitation to live with him.
To Pharaoh’s detriment, he continued to harden his heart and resist God.
Another Opportunity
Despite Pharaoh’s resistance, Moses told him that God was aware of many Egyptians who were willing to follow His instructions.
“You still set yourself against my people and will not let them go.
“Therefore, at this time tomorrow I will send the worst hailstorm that has ever fallen on Egypt, from the day it was founded till now.
“Give an order now to bring your livestock and everything you have in the field to a place of shelter, because the hail will fall on every person and animal that has not been brought in and is still out in the field, and they will die’” (Exodus 9.17-19).
If I made a list of all of the different opportunities God has given me to turn away from my self-will and follow his direction, it would be extremely long. Praise God for his grace!
Many Egyptians experienced grace with the plague of hail because they believed God’s word to be true.
Those officials of Pharaoh who feared the word of the Lord hurried to bring their slaves and their livestock inside (Exodus 9.20).
We do well to consider ways that self-will can be overcome, given the consequences of preferring our ideas over those of God.
Unfortunately, some in Egypt followed Pharaoh rather than Jehovah.
But those who ignored the word of the Lord left their slaves and livestock in the field (Exodus 9.21).
Think About It!
As we relate this passage to daily life, let’s consider four points.
(1) The story of Exodus reminds us that freedom from slavery, both physically and spiritually, should lead us to worship God. We should approach him with awe, recognizing his power and grace that liberated us.
(2) God’s powerful deeds serve as signs that point to His greatness, grace, love, and his desire to have a personal relationship with us.
(3) God gives us numerous chances to respond positively to his invitation for transformation and a closer relationship with Him.
(4) This passage encourages us to consider the ways in which we can overcome self-will and align ourselves with God’s instructions.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I discuss this on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 