Passage
Exodus 9:1-12 (ESV)
The Church in Antioch
Acts 11:19-30
Key Verse: 11:26
The Lord Keeps Trying and Trying
Date: Sep. 14, 2015
Daily Bread
Key Verse: 9:5-6
And the LORD set a time, saying, “Tomorrow the LORD will do this thing in the land.” And the next day the LORD did this thing. All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one of the livestock of the people of Israel died.
First, there was a plague on the animals (1-7). Moses warned that the fifth act of judgment would strike the livestock. In doing this God was striking another symbolic blow, for more of Egypt's popular gods were the bull, cow and ram. This plague would deliver a symbolic impact. Despite God's patient attempts, Pharaoh hardened his heart all the more, sealing his own condemnation. He had no one to blame but himself. God was reaching out.
Second, the plague of boils (8-12). The furnace mentioned here was probably the furnace where human victims were sacrificed to the Egyptian god Typhon, offered up to avert the plagues. But these very ashes brought fresh plagues. The magicians were helpless to do anything. This plague proclaimed the helplessness of these Egyptian demonic gods to save. The God of the Hebrews was infinitely more powerful. Humanity must stop making sacrifices to "idols", hoping to be saved and come to only one who can save, the Lord God.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for trying again and again to save us. Soften my heart so that I can respond to you.
One Word: Surrender to God who alone saves
