Day 77 - Exodus 7

From: Chapter-A-Day: Volume 1 By: Norman W. Berry

• 1 min. read • grade level: 9

V.1-7 God was going to bring Israel out of Egypt “by great judgments” (punishments).

V.4 If Pharaoh the king acts harshly toward Israel, he would get the same treatment in return (compare Gen. 12:3³And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. (Genesis 12:3) and Gal. 6:7⁷Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7)).

V.3 Some might think that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart first, but this is not so. Pharaoh hardened it first (Ex. 5:2²And Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go. (Exodus 5:2)), although God does tell us beforehand that He knew he would refuse to let the Israelites go out of Egypt (Ex. 3:19¹⁹And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand. (Exodus 3:19)).

V.8-13 People like to see miracles, but their hearts are not changed by such acts of power. It was the same when Jesus was down here (John 2:23-25²³Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. ²⁴But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, ²⁵And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man. (John 2:23‑25); John 6:25-29²⁵And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? ²⁶Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. ²⁷Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. ²⁸Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? ²⁹Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (John 6:25‑29)).

V.14-25 The Lord begins His great punishments over the whole land of Egypt. But men under the power of Satan (v. 22), also do great things, and the king continues not listening to the Lord. Pharaoh was so hard-hearted (v. 23) that he does not even feel disturbed by the troubles of his own people as they search for water to drink. It was the Lord in His mercy Who stopped this first punishment (v. 25).

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