Thursday, March 1, 2012

4 Takeaways in Tough Times

Read Exodus 11.

The LORD told Moses to announce the tenth plague.  This time the LORD Himself will pass through the land of Egypt at midnight.  The firstborn of every family and of all cattle will die.  The firstborn son received special honor.  The firstborn of Pharaoh was heir to the throne and considered a god as well.  The suffering throughout the nation would be unimaginable.

"But", verse 7, there would be no such suffering among the Israelites.  "Not a dog shall growl against any of the people of Israel."  The plagues were designed to demonstrate to an unbelieving king and nation the power and authority of the Living God and to call them to repentance toward Him.

The result would be Pharaoh's unconditional release of his slaves.

The people of Israel had lived in Egypt for 400 years.  As slaves they had little to nothing in the way of possessions.  The journey from Egypt to the land of Canaan would require resources to sustain them.  How would this practical need be met?  While Pharaoh hardened his heart against God and the Israelites, the LORD gave Moses and His people favor among the Egyptians.  The Egyptians willingly shared their silver and gold with the slaves in anticipation of their departure.

All of this was in fulfillment of the prophetic promise God made to Abraham in Genesis 15, some 500 years in advance.  "Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years.  But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions." (Genesis 15:13)

There are four takeaway lessons to learn that will hold up in the toughest of times.
1. God wants everyone to know, love and worship Him alone.
2. God is all-powerful and the ultimate source of all authority.
3. God protects His people.
4. God provides the needs of His people.

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)

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