Exodus 8 and 9

I’m still working my way through the Bible in a year; today’s Old Testament readings are from Exodus 8 and 9. We learn that God is sending more plagues. Egypt is overrun with frogs, gnats (or lice, depending on your version), and flies. Then, in 9, the livestock are wiped out, festering boils break out on the people and animals, and a devastating hailstorm strikes down anything that’s out in the open, even trees are destroyed.

After each plague, Pharaoh relents, asks Moses to stop the horrible stuff, and says he will let the Hebrews go. Then he backtracks on his word and doesn’t let the Hebrews go. His heart is hard; he’s one stubborn dude.

The entire Egyptian population is being punished for his sin. Unfortunately, we don’t think about what sin will cost us or how it will affect others. A lot of times, we don’t think about the consequences of our actions. When we harden our hearts towards God and our neighbors, we are plagued with trouble. I think of the contrast between Moses, who wants to do God’s will, and Pharaoh, who fights against God’s will.

We don’t think the sins of our early youth can affect not only our own story but also others’. I know hindsight is 20/20, but man, if only I had stayed on the narrow path, I could have avoided a lot of heartache. When I look back, I’ve lost years of my life to drug and alcohol abuse, to stupid choices. I could have avoided a lot of toxic relationships with people and things. I’m so thankful that I am forgiven through Christ, that his Holy Spirit is transforming me into who I’m supposed to be. My sins, shame, and guilt are deleted, destroyed by the power of the cross and the Risen Lord Jesus Christ.

We are called to be Godly, servant leaders, and when we don’t seek God daily, when we aren’t working on our relationship with Christ daily, we’re no better than Pharaoh. The consequences will plague our families, friends, communities, and world.

We can’t be lazy; we need to focus on Christ throughout our day.

‘Never stop praying. ‘
1 Thessalonians 5:17

‘Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him. ‘
1 Chronicles 16:11

We need to wake up and go to sleep thinking about the most important commandments. Try reading this before you go to bed, when you get up, and throughout your day.

‘²⁹Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. ³⁰And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” ‘
Mark 12:29-31

We need to be focused on Christ; we need a new heart.

‘And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. ‘
Ezekiel 36:26

Heavenly Father, help us think about the consequences of our actions and our inaction. Lord, we pray that you give us leaders who can’t be corrupted, who live for you. We ask you to give us a hunger for Your Holy Word and Your Perfect Will, that we may love You wholeheartedly. We ask that your Holy Spirit guide our thoughts, words, and actions today. Lord, we ask for a tender, responsive heart that desires to do your will on earth as it is in heaven, to be the servant leaders that you call us to be.

In the name of our Lord, the Risen Savior Jesus. Amen.