Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now. Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die. He that feared the Word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses:
Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail. And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked. Intreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer. And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD'S. But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the LORD GOD. (Exo 9:18-20, 26-30)
Another plague that destroys the property of Egypt, and demonstrates the Power of GOD. This time over the weather. GOD even warns them of His wrath and destruction to come, but many do not believe and their cattle are destroyed, along with the crops of Egypt that were grown enough that the fruit and grains were damaged by the hail. Pharaoh makes a show of relenting, but Moses knows that he has not repented and surrendered to GOD on His terms, so while the plague is stopped, GOD is not done yet with the judgments upon Egypt.
The land of the Israelites was spared, GOD was not aiming at them, and He doesn't miss. He poured out this judgement on Egypt, but His people were safe. We can trust that even when it seems that everything is going wrong around us, that we are secure in Christ, and He will protect and provide for our needs even in the midst of the storm.
There are three possibilities when calamities come our way. Natural occurrences in this sinful and broken world that is groaning under the curse of sIn, which GOD has allowed to come our way for testing, or our growth. Directed chastisement from GOD to correct a fault or behaviour pattern in our lives that needs to be repented of, and surrendered to GOD on His terms. Lastly, as seen in the book of Job, testing and trials, either sent or allowed, that we may be proved or continue to rely on GOD and His sovereignty over the affairs of men. We may never know which is the reason, we must simply trust Him and continue in our faith in the one who promises that He will never leave us, or forsake us.
Those that are truly born again by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary are secure in His hands, and free, not to sIn, for we are dead to ourselves, but to live in Christ and minister and do the work of the Lord. We are commanded to share the love of GOD with those that are hurting and in need as GOD provides. We are called to disciple one another, intentionally investing ourselves in each others growth in Christ and His Word. We are commissioned to preach and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ as we go, that those who hear may believe, and believing 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
RSS Feed