February 18, Reading 1 – Exodus 9

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

The first three plagues fall upon Israel too. They have to share the flies, gnats and frogs, the water turning into blood. We too have to share in the disasters that fall upon our people, even as Jesus shared. Faith is no lucky charm, but a trust in the person and character of the Lord.

SJA Notes

* Mighty God, please teach us from Your word today.

“So the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people of Israel go, just as the LORD had spoken through Moses.”

This passage brings us close up against that big important truth we have previously wrestled with.

God’s sovereign will at work through our responsibility.

Pharaoh was responsible for his sin, as we all are. He determined to harden his heart, to reject God and His ways, and to continue to oppress God’s people.

This is on Pharaoh. He will account on judgement day.

But too, God is at work. He hardened the heart of Pharaoh.

How can these two things be both true?

How can a loving God harden people’s hearts?

Because He is God.

God has written the names of His people in the Lamb’s book of life from before the foundation of the world.

The gospel is an offense to those in darkness. The very idea of the LORD, God Almighty – it causes great reactions to those who are dead in their sin.

Pharaoh chose to walk in unbelief, hardening his heart against God. And God chose in His sovereign will to harden the heart of Pharaoh.

Both of these things are true.

Paul has words for us in Romans (ch 9),

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

* God of Light,

You are perfect, without fault. Your word is perfect, without error, fully true and truth itself.

Please write Your word on our hearts today, that we might not sin against.

Amen.

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