God's Awesome Power Displayed

God's awesome Power Displayed
Who is like unto God, among other gods? He is glorious in holiness, fearful in praises and doing wonders. He is just and will not allow evil to go unpunished. He called and equipped Moses for deliverance of His chosen people from the land of slavery. When He is ready nothing can stop Him. Exodus 3: 20 - And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go. The followings are discussed: Pharaoh Resists God's Power; God Judges Egypt with Plagues, and God Prepares Israel for Deliverance.

Pharaoh Resists God's Power: Moses and Aaron obeyed God by doing what He asked them to do, but Pharaoh caused Egypt to engage Him by turning down His request which was to allow Israelites to go and serve Him (Ex 7:8-13). God had told Moses that Pharaoh would demand for a miracle for confirmation of his mission, and what he would do. In the presence of Pharaoh, Aaron threw down his rod and it became a snake, Pharaoh too instructed his magicians to do same but Aaron's rod swallowed their rods. Success requires obedience to God's command.

Pharaoh wasn't satisfied with the first miracle; He still wanted God to continue showing His power. The Lord spoke to Moses to tell Aaron to stretch out his hand with the rod upon the waters of river Nile. Aaron did so and waters of the land turned to blood (Ex 7:14-25). The waters became putrid and smelling, it was not drinkable and fishes in them died. Egyptian magicians also did similar miracle in a smaller way but they didn't have the power to return the waters back to normal until 7 seven days when God did it.

 God Judges Egypt with Plagues: Pharaoh was not still satisfied with the two miracles, Moses and Aaron knew he would risk more signs and wonders of God. He continued to try the power of God and God responded by sending more plagues over the land (Ex 8:5-7:16-19). His magicians also continued to duplicate God's miracles until they could no longer copy the miracle. Then Pharaoh acknowledged the Almighty God of Moses, but he still hardened his heart and would not allow Israelites to go.

In all the Judgement on Egypt, God showed mercy and protected His people (Ex 8:22-24;9:6-7,10-11,23-26; 10:13-15,22-23). He was watching over His people and didn't allow any of the nine plagues to be seen in their camp in Goshen. This shows God doesn't like to judge and punish the righteous with the wicked. As God protected the Israelites in Egypt from all troubles, He still does the same today for people that love and remain faithful to him.

God Prepares Israelites for Deliverance: God didn't just deliver the Israelites from Egypt, He blessed thier going out of the land. He made Egyptians give generously, what can be described as parting gifts to His people (Ex 11:1-3). One will wonder how such dramatic turn around of events could be possible among people stricken by plagues of God's judgment. The Lord's doing will always be marvelous in the sights of people. He can cause one's enemies to work for one's success.

God intended that His people would match out triumphantly with good rewards over the centuries of bondage and slavery. Christians may not find any good things coming their ways while they endure hardships for doing what God expects of them. They should remain hopeful and believe in God for the best in the end. He will one day give rewards that are beyond imagination.

Pharaoh caused his people to suffer a lot, yet he didn't allow Israelites to go as demanded by God. He was told that subsequent miracle would involve death of all firstborn males in the land, but God gave Moses the assurance that Israelites would not be affected (Ex 11:7-10). God doesn't want people to follow the way of destruction. He want us to love Him and lead others to His Salvation which he had made provision for through Jesus as He provided for deliverance of Israelites through Moses. Lesson texts: Exodus 7: 8 through 11:10