And the LORD did so; and there came a grievous swarm of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants' houses, and into all the land of Egypt: the land was corrupted by reason of the swarm of flies. And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land. And Moses said, It is not meet so to do; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our GOD: lo, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us? We will go three days' journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the LORD our GOD, as He shall command us.
And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD. And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and He removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; there remained not one. And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go. (Exo 8:24-27, 30-32)
The plagues continue, the pattern of judgment, false acquiescence, and betrayal is still the same. GOD sends a plague to show His power, and strike at the beliefs and idols of Egypt, Pharaoh promises release, and then when the plague is gone, Pharaoh once more reneges on his promise and refuses to let the Israelites go as GOD commanded. But, this pattern will not continue, GOD is pouring out His wrath upon Egypt, and when He is done, Israel will be free, and Egypt will never be the same.
This world and its sIn will only last so long, before GOD will say that He has had enough, and just as He did with the Flood of Noah's day, He will judge the whole world, but this time by fire. Those that know Him and are secure in Him because of their relationship with Him and their faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary are and will be saved. Those that don't will have the opportunity to repent as long as they are alive, but that opportunity will not last forever. Just as GOD eventually finished with Egypt and Pharaoh, so will He finish with this world, and those in it that refuse to repent and surrender to Him on His terms.
Until that day, GOD's people have a duty and responsibility to share His message of Hope with this lost and dying world, that they might be saved. GOD has called His people to go, and as we go, we are to minister to the hurting and in need that they might see Jesus in us the Hope of Glory. We are commanded to disciple one another in love and in His Word that we may grow thereby and be conformed to the image of His dear Son. We are commissioned to preach and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all so that they may hear, and those that hear and the Good News of forgiveness and reconciliation through faith in Him may believe and 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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