And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt. And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast. Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of GOD: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said. (Exo 8:16-19)
When Pharaoh reneged on his agreement to let Israel go, it was because he had not been convinced by the 'show' as he saw it. He hated the plague of the frogs, but with a hard heart to the power and presence of GOD, even in the midst of GOD's judgments, he will not repent. Pharaoh, may for a season be sorry, and dismiss Moses and the Israelites, but as soon as the plague is done, he is no longer afflicted and once more will not let them go. We also see that GOD did not warn Pharaoh of this judgment and plague, but sent it the moment that Pharaoh once more turned away from GOD and trusted himself. This time the magicians could not duplicate the 'trick', and they testified of GOD, but Pharaoh would not hear or repent.
For those that do not know GOD, it is a detriment to their eternal soul, should they ever get to the point that they are so hardened against GOD or the things of GOD that they no longer hear from Him. Not only is their heart hard, but He no longer calls them to Himself or repentance from sIn. They are left to themselves, because they would have it no other way, and when they die, having done so without Christ, they are cast out, being already under condemnation because of their sIn and rebellion against a Holy GOD.
For the Christian, we cannot get that far away, for GOD will chastise us, and bring us back to Himself, or if we will not hear and repent, He can call us Home. GOD does not leave us orphans, nor will he ever leave or forsake us, for He is a loving Father who cares for His own.
In GOD's own time, when He has had enough, and the time of the Church is done, He will call all His ambassadors Home, and unleash His wrath upon those who have rejected Him. For the living, there is still hope and Salvation by the grace of GOD offered to those who repent and believe in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. But, until that day, the Church, GOD's own people are sent and supplied to minister to the hurting and in need as GOD gives the increase. We are encouraged and equipped to disciple one another in the Word and in love that we may grow in Christ. We are commanded and commissioned to preach and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to those we meet. As we go, we are to tell them of the forgiveness and reconciliation with our Righteous GOD that only comes from Him, that those who hear and believe 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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