January 29- The Plagues

January 29, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Exodus 8:1-9:35; Matthew 19:13-30;
Psalm 24: 1-10; Proverbs 6;1-5

Plague- N. A widespread affliction or calamity, especially one seen as divine retribution.

Exodus 8:1-9:35

Today Moses and Pharaoh play an extended game of chicken.  The problem for Pharaoh is that God is on Moses' side of this game.  Pharaoh is destined to have his heart hardened.  God is determined to judge Egypt.  Remember that Egypt represents the world in this scenario. Egypt is polytheistic and does not acknowledge the One True God of Israel. In this judgment against Egypt we see a foreshadowing of God's judgment of all who reject the way of righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ. In the book of Revelation we see a similar set of plagues upon the earth used to judge the wicked at the end of time (See Revelation 16). The plagues are a result of God's determination to judge those who hate Him. In this game we see that even in great suffering, some people will rail against God rather than turn to God in their time of trouble and sorrow. Ultimately, rebellion against God results in judgment. This game of chicken is a game that Pharaoh is destined lose. All who hate God are destined for judgment like Pharaoh and Egypt. This event is an illustration of a spiritual truth.

Here are the plagues:

• The first plague is the plague of frogs.  I don't know about you, but I think frogs are kinda cute. Well, not really. This game of chicken starts with frogs. Pharaoh does not agree to let the Israelites go, so....here come the frogs. Pharaoh then asks Moses to pray for them to go away.  Moses prays, the frogs die. Pharaoh still does not release the Hebrews.

• The next plague is gnats.  Aaron uses God's staff to stir up the dust.  It becomes swarms of gnats.  Same scenario on praying, ending, hardening.  No release of Israelites.
• Flies are the next plague.  The process is repeated. (By the way, because the frogs died and because frogs eat gnats and flies, this scenario is very understandable.) Moses keeps praying for this hardened man.  God has more judgments in store.
• Destroying most of the cattle, sheep, donkeys, and livestock is the next plague.
• Next, God sends boils onto people. This had to be so painful.

• Then, there is a hail and lightening storm, which leaves Egypt in ruins.

The only explanation for the Pharaoh not giving in, even after all of this destruction, is that God has a hand in Pharoah's stubbornness. Any normal person would have cried "chicken" by now.  God says in Vs. 16 that the purpose of the plagues is for His Power and fame to spread throughout the land. Egypt was a polytheistic culture that worshiped many idols/gods.   Every person in Egypt carried around amulets, idols, and superstitious objects in which they put their faith. This experience was God's way of judging that error. It was also an opportunity for people to turn to the One True God.

You may feel that this is a harsh thing for God to do. Remember that His harshness is a message to all people of all times that He alone is God.  To worship mulitple gods that truly are not God is to doom yourself to an eternity apart from the Creator.  With this in mind, the plagues could be considered a loving act, an urgent warning, and a sign of things to come for those who chose to ignore the real God of the Universe.

Lesson:  God is the only god in the universe. He judges cultures and nations that do not recognize Him as the Creator God alone. Even His judgments are an opportunity for repentance.

Do you have a personal relationship with God?  Can you wrap your mind around God using a group of people to teach a lasting lesson for all of humanity?

Matthew 19:13-30

The disciples are acting like a posse today.  They are "handling" people who get to close to the Lord. They want Jesus to act like a celebrity. In their minds he is famous and powerful. Let's see if Jesus buys into the idea of celebrity.

Jesus tells them to let the little children come to him and do not hinder them.  He does not need to be handled.  Their attempts to treat him like a rock star are thwarted by Christ.  He is humble and accessible to everyone. Jesus' actions condemn our culture of self promotion through social media and our worship of celebrities. It condemns the modern tendency to make our best and brightest mega church pastors into Christian celebrities. Even though he was God in human form, Jesus did not elevate himself above others. The lowly and humble were his "type".  Little children were worthy of his love and attention, although they had no power in society.

A man comes to Jesus, calls him "good teacher," and asks what he must do to get into heaven and have eternal life.  Jesus challenges him to acknowledge that only God is good.  Therefore, the man must think that Jesus is God.  Christ then lists some of the Ten Commandments and says that these must be followed.  The man, filled with either pride or ignorance, believes that he has never broken any of the commandments.  Knowing the man's heart and that the man has an idol that he puts above God, Christ challenges him to sell all of his possessions, give them to the poor, and then, come and be his disciple.  At this the cocky young lad becomes down cast and leaves.  Jesus found his weak spot- his possessions.  They were an idol to this young man. Are your possessions more important to you than God?

Jesus then explains that it is very hard for a rich person to give up relying on their own works and wealth in order to rely on God alone.  The disciples cry out, "Who, then, can be saved?" Jesus answers that with humans it is impossible, but with God all things are possible. 

Peter says that the disciples have given up everything to follow Christ.  Christ acknowledges that the disciples will sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel in the Kingdom of God.  Note that this promise will be fulfilled during Christ's earthly reign during the millennium. He also adds that anyone who has given up family, friends, or possessions in order to follow him will be rewarded 100 times over. 

Then Jesus confirms a spiritual principle found from Genesis through Revelation:  The least will be greatest and the greatest will be least. 

Lessons:  Salvation is only possible through Christ. Christ is accessible to all people. To be great in the afterlife, you must sacrifice in this life. Your sacrifice is tied to putting God first, rather than yourself first. Be willing to follow Christ at all cost.

Do you believe what Jesus is saying is true?

Psalm 24:1-10

This psalm asks the fundamental question that the young ruler asked, "Who can stand before the Lord?"  The answer is given, those whose hearts are pure.  This is only possible with God just as Jesus said. It is only through Christ's perfect life, sacrificial death, and miraculous resurrection that the debt is paid for our sins. Faith in Christ renders us pure of heart in God's eyes.

Proverbs 6: 1-5

Do not co-sign a loan.  That is not wise.  Do not be responsible for another person's debt.

What did you notice today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton