This is a weekly guest devotion, written by my mother, Estelene. Each week she shares with us scripture and a short devotion to encourage us.
Have you ever wondered why God chose to take care of a situation in a way that makes no sense to you. You would have resolved the issue differently if you were in charge. Well God has his reasons for doing what he does.
In the case of the deliverance of the Israelites from bondage in Egypt, he could have humbled Pharaoh’s heart at any time. But God chose to show Pharaoh, all the people of Egypt, and the Israelites that he was the Holy God; the one and only God.
Unfortunately, Pharaoh and his officials refused to obey God causing horrific suffering to fall upon the people, land, and animals. This week’s lesson is no different. Let’s read the Word of God.
Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Take handfuls of soot from a furnace and have Moses toss it into the air in the presence of Pharaoh. It will become fine dust over the whole land of Egypt, and festering boils will break out on men and animals throughout the land.”
So they took soot from a furnace and stood before Pharaoh. Moses tossed it into the air, and festering boils broke out on men and animals. The magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils that were on them and on all the Egyptians. But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had said to Moses. Exodus 9:8-12
I have been fortunate enough not to have ever had a boil anywhere on my body. I have been told that it is quite painful. If you have ever had one boil, you know how painful it is. Image how miserable it would be to have festering boils all over your body.
Scripture says that the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the suffering they experienced from the boils on their bodies. What I don’t understand is why God caused boils to break out on the animals. But who am I to question God?
If you remember, last week all the livestock in the fields died. Today’s account must have been referring to animals other than the livestock in the fields. We know that deer, dogs, pigs, etc. existed because they are mentioned other places in the Bible.
Through the obedience to God, all Moses did was take soot and toss it into the air in front of Pharaoh so that he could witness the miracle. What happened? The people and animals living in Egypt were struck with festering boils over their entire bodies. I am sure not one boil came up on an Israelite though.
Did you notice something mentioned in the scripture this week that has not been mentioned previously? It said the “the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart.”
Sometimes we refuse to listen to God when he speaks to us over and over again. The longer we resist the voice of God, the harder it becomes for us to hear him when he speaks. The more we sin, the easier it becomes to sin. When God reminds you that you are living against his will, stop right then and repent. Don’t shut your ears and think all will be well. If you refuse to listen, God may allow you to have your way.
Tara,
Thank you for sharing this. I should not have been surprised when I saw you had written about the Israelites and God showing off, a running theme in my heart this week. I have been on a healing journey, changing my diet recently to real food. It has been trying, lonely, and such a source of suffering that I never though possible. I feel like an Israelite who keeps complaining about God “forgetting about me” but only to find out that He has something around the corner that He wants to use to show His glory to me and those around me. He hasn’t forgotten about me.
I stumbled across your blog yesterday while looking for frugal, organic cooking. Thank you for what you do and sharing your heart!
Rebecca
Thanks for that prospective. I have a hard time wondering why God chose to do it that way. Harden Pharaoh’s heart so he wouldn’t say yes to Moses.
Guess you said it because he’s God and he can.