Daily Devotions
Exodus
"For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?" Psalm 18:31
Text: Exodus 7 : 17-21
A GOD WHO REFUSED TO BE DENIED
Could Pharaoh honestly say that he did not know the God of the Hebrews (Cf. Exodus 5:2)? It was his arrogance that caused him to speak as he did. He had defied the God of the Hebrews! And this God refused to be denied.
“Thus says the LORD: ‘By this you shall know
that I am the LORD. Behold, I will strike the waters
which are in the river with the rod that is in my hand,
and they shall be turned to blood. And the fish
that are in the river shall die, the river shall stink,
and the Egyptians will loathe to drink the water of the river.'”
EXODUS 7:17-18
1. “By this you shall know that I am the LORD”
Did Pharaoh need proof of identify of the God of the Hebrews? He would have ample proof soon! No god of Egypt had ever issued such a power threat! Could the God of the Hebrews really turn the river into blood?
2. More than just the God of the Hebrews
The God of the Hebrews was NOT a local deity! He was not just one of many gods. He may be called “God of the Hebrews” but he was LORD of all. His sovereign power extended to Pharaoh and all that made up Egypt!
THE UNMISTAKABLE POWER OF THE LORD
The next step was to effect what was uttered! Perhaps Moses and Aaron were taken aback at the enormity of this miracle! Could their God really do this? Nevertheless they obeyed.
“And Moses and Aaron did so, just as the LORD commanded.
So he lifted up the rod and struck the waters
that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight
of his servants. And all the waters that were in the river were
turned to blood. The fish that were in the river died,
the river stank and the
Egyptians could not drink the water of the river. So there was
blood throughout all the land of Egypt.”
EXODUS 7:20-21
The unexpected and impossible happened! How could anyone wield such power? Yet it all happened as Moses had uttered! How could anyone now deny the existence of the God of the Hebrews? How could anyone not stand in awe of the God of the Hebrews?
Surely Pharaoh could not be blind to this great sign that occurred right before his eyes! Belief in the God of the Hebrews was not about “theology”. The God that Moses proclaimed he represented spoke with more than mere words! His word had power! What He uttered would be fulfilled! Wisdom teaches submission and humble obedience to this Almighty God lest more deadly expressions of His power were unleashed!