Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain. And the LORD shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all that is the children's of Israel. And the LORD appointed a set time, saying, To morrow the LORD shall do this thing in the land.
And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go. And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh. And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt.
For now I will stretch out My hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth. And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee My power; and that My Name may be declared throughout all the earth. As yet exaltest thou thyself against My people, that thou wilt not let them go? (Exo 9:3-5, 7-9, 15-17)
The list of plagues continues, and Pharaoh is still rebellious and obstinate. Despite the destruction of his gods, his countries property, his people and the wealth and prosperity of Egypt, he will not relent and free what he sees as cheap labor. The people of Israel are going to be the most expensive "cheap" labor Pharaoh has ever seen. Here also begins a division, where GOD in His mercy, separates the Israelites, their cattle, and their crops, from that of the Egyptians. His judgments only come on the people and cattle of Egypt, for they are the transgressors in this scenario.
This of course, does not equate Israel with innocence, since they are still fallen human beings under the curse of Adam and subject to sIn. But, in GOD's eyes, for the moment, He sees a difference between the rebellious taskmasters of Egypt, and His people, the children of Israel. GOD many times works on behalf of His people despite their sIn, and judges the oppressors because of their sIn. He also always makes a way out for those under judgment, repentance and faithful obedience to Him.
Today, GOD's people are stricken, and cast down, even killed everywhere just for believing and trusting in their only hope for Salvation. But, even in this we who have put our hope in the One true GOD, know that know matter what happens, GOD is not aiming at us, and He will show Himself strong on behalf of His people. His actions and justice may not deliver us from the trial or even from death, but we will remain faithful to our GOD and continue to witness to those who don't know Him of His love, grace, and mercy to those who turn to Him in faith.
Until the day the GOD takes us Home from this lost and dying world, and even while this world persecutes us, we have work to do for the Lord. He calls us to be on mission for Him, to minister to the hurting and in need as He guides and provides. He commands us to disciple one another in the Word and in love so that we can be conformed to the image of His dear Son. He has commissioned us to preach and proclaim the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to all who will hear and believe, that in believing they might have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. Just as GOD called on Pharoah to repent and release the Hebrews, GOD calls you to trust what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. Just as He provided deliverance to Israel, He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new heart in Christ. Don't harden your heart as Pharoah did, but turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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