IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

The Hand of the Lord

Date: Jan. 16, 2021

Passage

Exodus 9:1-12

The Fifth Plague: Egyptian Livestock Die

9:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. 2 For if you refuse to let them go and still hold them, 3 behold, the hand of the LORD will fall with a very severe plague upon your livestock that are in the field, the horses, the donkeys, the camels, the herds, and the flocks. 4 But the LORD will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that nothing of all that belongs to the people of Israel shall die.”’” 5 And the LORD set a time, saying, “Tomorrow the LORD will do this thing in the land.” 6 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. 7 And Pharaoh sent, and behold, not one of the livestock of Israel was dead. But the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.

The Sixth Plague: Boils

8 And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Take handfuls of soot from the kiln, and let Moses throw them in the air in the sight of Pharaoh. 9 It shall become fine dust over all the land of Egypt, and become boils breaking out in sores on man and beast throughout all the land of Egypt.” 10 So they took soot from the kiln and stood before Pharaoh. And Moses threw it in the air, and it became boils breaking out in sores on man and beast. 11 And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils, for the boils came upon the magicians and upon all the Egyptians. 12 But the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as the LORD had spoken to Moses.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: Exodus 9:3a

3 behold, the hand of the LORD will fall with a very severe plague upon your livestock that are in the field, the horses, the donkeys, the camels, the herds, and the flocks.

1. The LORD set a time (1-7)

Again the LORD confronts Pharaoh through Moses, 'Let my people go!' Thus far the plagues were nuisances and hardships, but this time the hand of the LORD would bring a terrible plague on the livestock of Egypt. The LORD gave Pharaoh time to relent, but he did not do so. The plague came, and as God said, he protected the livestock of Israel. Pharaoh even investigated and saw the hand of the LORD, but did not yield. We are reminded that today is the day of salvation, a time to repent. Let's not miss it.

2. The plague of boils (8-12)

Further escalating the plagues, this next one was against the health of the people and animals: a plague of festering boils on all the Egyptians. Although God could have destroyed all Egypt immediately, he instead chose to gradually inflict plagues in increasing measure. Pharaoh did not relent. But God's power and patience were not lost on Moses and Aaron, who grew in the fear of God.

Prayer: Father, you are patient with us, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. You have set a time of judgment, but before that day is the hour of salvation. Help us yield – we and all our people, while your mercy and grace may be found.

One Word: Yield to the hand of the LORD

Daily Bread

Remember Who God is

Psalm 77:1-20

Key Verse: 77:11

I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your wonders of old.

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