IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

The Distinction Leads People to God

Date: Sep. 13, 2015

Passage

Exodus 8:20-32  (ESV)

20 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Rise up early in the morning and present yourself to Pharaoh, as he goes out to the water, and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. 21 Or else, if you will not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and your servants and your people, and into your houses. And the houses of the Egyptians shall be filled with swarms of flies, and also the ground on which they stand. 22 But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where my people dwell, so that no swarms of flies shall be there, that you may know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth. 23 Thus I will put a division between my people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall happen.”’” 24 And the LORD did so. There came great swarms of flies into the house of Pharaoh and into his servants’ houses. Throughout all the land of Egypt the land was ruined by the swarms of flies.

25 Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and said, “Go, sacrifice to your God within the land.” 26 But Moses said, “It would not be right to do so, for the offerings we shall sacrifice to the LORD our God are an abomination to the Egyptians. If we sacrifice offerings abominable to the Egyptians before their eyes, will they not stone us? 27 We must go three days’ journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the LORD our God as he tells us.” 28 So Pharaoh said, “I will let you go to sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only you must not go very far away. Plead for me.” 29 Then Moses said, “Behold, I am going out from you and I will plead with the LORD that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, tomorrow. Only let not Pharaoh cheat again by not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD.” 30 So Moses went out from Pharaoh and prayed to the LORD. 31 And the LORD did as Moses asked, and removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; not one remained. 32 But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and did not let the people go.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 8:22

But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where my people dwell, so that no swarms of flies shall be there, that you may know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth.

First, flies were everywhere but not in Goshen (20-30). Pharaoh refused to repent and so God sent swarms of flies to plague Egypt, but protected his people. God makes a distinction between those who are in him and those who are not. He does that so it is clear who hold the keys of salvation. We must allow God to make our lives different from the world. Then the world will know that they can trust the Lord. They will see how God is with his people.

Second, repent to please God and not just get relief (25-32). Pharaoh sought a compromise. Moses prayed and the flies left. But Pharaoh was not sincere. He reneged on his promise. When people are in a crunch, they promise many things to be set free. But when their suffering has abated, they turn back and forget God's grace. But God seeks people who repent because they seek to please the Lord. Then the difference faith makes will become clear. God's light will shine in the dark.

Prayer: Lord, May your presence in our lives show the world that you alone hold the keys of salvation.

One Word: Let God make you different

Daily Bread

King of Kings and Lord of Lords

Revelation 19:11-21

Key Verse: 19:16

On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

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