February 16, 2022 - Exodus 10-12
It is amazing when God works in miraculous ways and all we can do is stand in awe of His wonderous power. I am astounded when I consider all that the Lord has done in my life for our family. He has made known numerous times that we have been in His protective hands (John 10:28).
Moses had been attempting to get the children of Israel freed from the bondage of slavery for some time. Pharoah had repeatedly stated that the Israelites could go and worship and then would recant and refuse their release. Each time the repercussion of rejection increased, and God's power was manifested in another way.
Each plague was a judgment upon Egypt, but it also was a verification of God's power and greatness over the gods of Pharoah and his people. When Pharoah refused for the last time to free the Israelite people it is with a hardness of heart that could only be broken by a staggering loss. Pharoah was considered by the Egyptians to be a god. The family was believed to be part of deity and supernatural. For Pharoah's son and all the firstborn to be killed was the final act of Israel's God demonstrating His authority and power.
The people of God and the unbelieving people of Egypt all saw the power and demonstration of God's work in this final judgment. The action was designed to encourage the believers and cause deep conviction and acknowledgment of judgment by the unbelievers. Even though unbelievers would not follow the Lord, they could not deny His power and authority.
We may not have the privilege to see certain people come to the Lord by conversion. Their hearts and attitudes may be so hardened by circumstances and decisions that they currently refuse to acknowledge God's power. This should not hinder us from praying for them to acknowledge God's loving presence!
Paul also warns of a coming judgment when people will be forced to acknowledge and bow before the Lord. "Therefore God has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father" (Philippians 2:9-11).