The 10 Plagues & the Exodus – Like omigosh – Just let them go!
During the Passover Seder part of the tradition is to say the name of a plague out loud. While saying each plague we were to dip a finger in our cup of wine (for me it was grape juice) and then dab the wine on the plate, for each plague. As a child, by the time we got to the fifth plague, I was already so over it.
For some reason while reading the book of Exodus, I got to the plagues and heard a teenagers voice in my head saying, “Um, hello… Pharaoh??? Seriously, dude, like omigosh, just let them go already!” Of course, if we could go back in time and show Pharaoh what was to come, maybe he’d listen, maybe not. Hindsight is 20/20.
This new generation is so used to instant gratification, that teenagers today would be so over the plagues before they got to number ten.
1. Water to Blood
2. Frogs
3. Gnats or Lice
4. Flies
5. Livestock Diseased
6. Boils
7. Thunder and Hail
8. Locusts
9. Darkness
10. Death of the Firstborn
This got me to thinking… The bible doesn’t simply state the names of the plagues in ten verses, one verse per plague. The 10 plagues are explicitly outlined in 5 chapters, Exodus 7-11.
But let me digress. The Lord was very detailed throughout Exodus 1-6, setting the stage for what was to occur next.
Sections of Exodus 1-6
The Israelites Oppressed
The Birth of Moses
Moses Flees to Midian
Moses and the Burning Bush
Signs for Moses
Moses Returns to Egypt
Bricks Without Straw
God Promises Deliverance
Family Record of Moses and Aaron – (Levites-Priests)
Aaron to Speak for Moses
In the beginning of chapter 7, God explains to Moses what the plans are. Next, Aaron’s Staff Becomes a Snake.
Then in Exodus 7:14 the plagues start with turning the waters of Egypt to blood.
Exodus 7-11 discusses the plagues in such explicit detail, that if you know the Lord, you KNOW this has strong significance.
As I kept reading, I would have so many thoughts.
I can’t come close to imagining or relating to what the Israelites went through, living through plagues, then wandering the desert for 40 years. But the Lord prepared His people for what was to come. And then He stayed with them throughout to comfort and guide them.
During their wanderings, the bible says in Exodus 40:38, “The cloud of the LORD hovered over the Tabernacle during the day, and at night fire glowed inside the cloud so the whole family of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys.”(NLT) The Lord was with them the entire time. So maybe, like most of us, we become used to having Him around, at our beck and call all the time, and sin.
Sadly, they had trouble with doubt and sin that angered the Lord. I wonder how many times I anger the Lord or upset Him. The Lord G-d knew and knows what it takes to get us, His people, to do what needs to be done. Sometimes it takes acts of greatness, power, and/or authority to finally get us to do what the Lord has been trying to gently guide us to do.
It isn’t easier until we are filled with the Holy Spirit to guide us. And even then it’s not always easy. But how easy is it for the tempter to distract us away from the Lords divine purpose? I don’t know about you, but it’s a daily struggle for me.
Thank you Jesus for gently guiding us through our days. Please continue to fill us (everyone I come in contact with, pray for, and think of) with Your Holy Spirit. Help us to hear, listen, and walk in faith even when it doesn’t make sense.
I praise and bless your holy Name! AMEN!
Blessings and Peace,
Susie
©2013 Susie Glennan
All Rights Reserved.
Ref: Levites – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levite
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