“Christians are to be Distinctly Different.”
The first three verses of Exodus 9 are parenthetical and relate something that God previously told Moses. One more major plague would afflict Pharaoh and the entire nation. This would be the means of Pharaoh not only allowing the Hebrews to venture away from the land but as we mentioned yesterday, of Pharaoh actually driving them away. The plagues had increased in intensity, and soon God would lead the people out in a way that glorified his majesty, power, and holiness. The Lord told Moses that He would grant them favor in the eyes of the Egyptians, and they were to ask the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold. God would cause the Egyptians to be willing to hand over these items to the Israelites, especially if it meant they would flee the land. Moses himself was afforded a lofty status among the Egyptians, not because of anything he had done, but because his God granted him special favor and chose to work mighty signs through him. In the last interview between Pharaoh and Moses, he told Pharaoh the Lord’s judgment would fall on the Egyptians in such a way that they would beg him and his people to leave the land. At midnight God would go throughout Egypt and strike all the firstborn, from the child of Pharaoh to the firstborn of slaves, not sparing any of them. He would also kill the firstborn of cattle. The firstborn represented the people’s future and often the best hopes and prospects of parents. However, death remains the greatest fear of man. Man should fear and regard God, but too often man will strive to squeeze out every drop out of his or her worldly existence instead, not caring for the will of God. But when faced with the ultimate fate, men of careless, carnal, or callused nature will sober up long enough to listen to a few wise words. I have seen rebellious men humbled at the news of cancer in the body. The resultant cry from the Egyptians would be greater than ever before. However, among the Israelites, God’s chosen people, not one child or animal would die. The expression, “not a dog will bark at any man or animal,” portrays the relative calm that would exist in Goshen in contrast to the upheaval throughout the rest of Egypt. The contrast would be striking, depicting the distinction between God’s people and the Egyptians. This is the distinction God wants in our churches today from the world around us. This is the same distinction that should be evident in Christians compared to the unsaved of the world. The deadly stroke would prompt the officials of Pharaoh’s court to do obeisance to Moses and beg him to leave the land. In their last meeting, Moses turned away from Pharaoh in utter indignation. God would now fulfill his grand purpose of displaying his power through the land in order to bring the captive Israelites out of the land of bondage. Oh what peace we often take for granted. God has provided salvation and we, as children of God, have accepted that incredible gift. “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 5:1) Not only are we at peace with God, by we can live and model the “peace of God that passeth all understanding.” (Phil. 4:7) May we model a clear distinction from the world in every area of our lives. God intends for us to be controlled by the Spirit of God today and every day as we walk in fellowship with our Savior.
Personal Prayer Requests:
- Lord, please help me to model the peace of God in every situation you allow in my life.
- Lord, please help me to submit my will to yours and live in complete obedience to your desires for my life.
- Lord, thank you for your power, majesty, and holiness.