Exodus 7-9 (Day 32)

_ Here is a listing of the plagues the LORD put on Egypt for the release of His people.

1.      Water, which turned to blood and killed all fish and other aquatic life (Exodus 7:14–25)
2.      Frogs (Exodus 8:1–8:15)
3.      Lice (Exodus 8:16–19)
4.      Flies or wild animals (Exodus 8:20–30)
5.      Disease on livestock (Exodus 9:1–7)
6.      Boils (Exodus 9:8–12)
7.      Hail and thunder (Exodus 9:13–35)
8.      Locusts (Exodus 10:1–20)
9.      Darkness (Exodus 10:21–29)
10.  Death of the first-born of all Egyptian humans and animals. Exodus 11, Exodus 12)

Pharaoh’s hard heart
Exodus 8:15 & 32 says that Pharaoh hardened his own heart, but Exodus 9:12 says the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart. So, who hardened Pharaoh’s heart? Romans 1:28 says “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting” In verse 18 of the same chapter it says they “suppressed the truth.” Pharaoh hardened his own heart by resisting the truth, so the LORD gave him over to a debased mind. When Pharaoh hardened his heart, the LORD hardened it further by continuing to show Pharaoh His glory. The LORD goes on to say in Exodus 9:16, “But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” God raised up a prideful, hardhearted man so He would be glorified in Him. God showed that a powerful government and its armies could not stand against Him regardless of their obstinate pride. God was glorified; maybe that is why a “mixed multitude” left Egypt (Exodus 12:38)!

We can see in Exodus 9:18-21 how many of the Egyptians hearts had began to turn to the LORD. It says, “(Then the LORD said to Moses) Behold, tomorrow about this time I will cause very heavy hail to rain down, such as has not been in Egypt since its founding until now.  19  Therefore send now and gather your livestock and all that you have in the field, for the hail shall come down on every man and every animal which is found in the field and is not brought home; and they shall die." ' "  20  He who feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his livestock flee to the houses.  21  But he who did not regard the word of the LORD left his servants and his livestock in the field.”

God is not willing that any would perish (2 Pet. 3:9); that includes Pharaoh. Because the LORD wants to reach as many people as possible, He will raise up a hard hearted man and hardened him further for His glory.

One more note… As God poured out these plagues on Egypt, He set apart His people from them.
Exodus 8:22-23 says, “And in that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, in order that you may know that I am the LORD in the midst of the land.  23  I will make a difference between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall be." ' "
The Israelites suffered persecution from Egypt, but were shielded from the judgments. We must be ready to stand in persecution, but know that the LORD will protect us from judgments. Amen.