SCRIPTURE: EXODUS 11
BIBLE VERSES:
“So Moses said, “This is what the Lord says: ‘About midnight I will go throughout Egypt. Every firstborn son in Egypt will die, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the firstborn son of the female slave, who is at her hand mill, and all the firstborn of the cattle as well. There will be loud wailing throughout Egypt—worse than there has ever been or ever will be again. But among the Israelites not a dog will bark at any person or animal.’ Then you will know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel. All these officials of yours will come to me, bowing down before me and saying, ‘Go, you and all the people who follow you!’ After that I will leave.” Then Moses, hot with anger, left Pharaoh.” (Exodus 11:4-8)
THE PLAGUE ON THE FIRSTBORN (vs. 1-10)
The Lord told Moses to tell Pharaoh: “About midnight, every first born in Egypt will die. There will be loud wailing throughout Egypt – worse than there has ever been or ever will be again. But among the Israelites, not a dog will bark at any man or animal. Then you will know that the Lord made a distinction between Egypt and Israel. All your officials will come and bow down before me saying: “Go, you and all the people who follow you!” But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart and he would not let the Israel go out of his country.
THOUGHTS:
The stubborn unbelief of Pharaoh could not soften Pharaoh’s heart despite of all the plagues he had encountered. Finally, it took the greatest of all the calamities, the loss of his son to force him to recoping God’s authority. But he wanted God to leave, not to rule his country. We must not wait for great calamities to drive us to God. Open your hearts and mind now and follow his direction.
God had given Pharaoh every opportunity to change his mind. Pharaoh prideful decision had set the painful consequences of his actions. God also gives us the opportunities to accept His salvation. It is up to us to make the decision and reap its consequences.