October 8, 2020

The book of Exodus tells the story of the birth of the nation of Israel fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham.  From the seventy descendants of Jacob, Israel was fruitful and multiplied greatly until they filled the whole land of Egypt.  After four centuries of slavery, God answers the cries of His people for deliverance.  God raises up Moses for this calling, to lead his people out of bondage to a land of promise and deliverance. 

Some of the greatest stories of the Bible are featured in Exodus—from the Ten Plagues, and the Passover, to the crossing of the Red Sea, and the establishment of the covenant at Mount Sinai. The Passover lamb, the exodus from the land of Egypt, the seven feasts, the tabernacle, and even the high priest, are all foreshadows of the ministry of Christ.

Chapters 1-18 contains the events leading up to God’s delivering the Hebrews from their captivity in Egypt, and chapters 19-40 shares the events in the wilderness and the account of God’s instructions to Moses on Mount Sinai to direct the life and worship of the nation.

Exodus 8

The Second Plague: Frogs

1  Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. 2 But if you refuse to let them go, behold, I will plague all your country with frogs. 3 The Nile shall swarm with frogs that shall come up into your house and into your bedroom and on your bed and into the houses of your servants and your people, and into your ovens and your kneading bowls. 4 The frogs shall come up on you and on your people and on all your servants.”’” 5  And the Lord said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your hand with your staff over the rivers, over the canals and over the pools, and make frogs come up on the land of Egypt!’” 6 So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt. 7 But the magicians did the same by their secret arts and made frogs come up on the land of Egypt.

8 Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and said, “Plead with the Lord to take away the frogs from me and from my people, and I will let the people go to sacrifice to the Lord.” 9 Moses said to Pharaoh, “Be pleased to command me when I am to plead for you and for your servants and for your people, that the frogs be cut off from you and your houses and be left only in the Nile.” 10 And he said, “Tomorrow.” Moses said, “Be it as you say, so that you may know that there is no one like the Lord our God. 11 The frogs shall go away from you and your houses and your servants and your people. They shall be left only in the Nile.” 12 So Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh, and Moses cried to the Lord about the frogs, as he had agreed with Pharaoh. 13 And the Lord did according to the word of Moses. The frogs died out in the houses, the courtyards, and the fields. 14 And they gathered them together in heaps, and the land stank. 15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart and would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.

The Third Plague: Gnats

16 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, so that it may become gnats in all the land of Egypt.’” 17 And they did so. Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the earth, and there were gnats on man and beast. All the dust of the earth became gnats in all the land of Egypt. 18 The magicians tried by their secret arts to produce gnats, but they could not. So there were gnats on man and beast. 19 Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.

The Fourth Plague: Flies

20 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Rise up early in the morning and present yourself to Pharaoh, as he goes out to the water, and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. 21 Or else, if you will not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and your servants and your people, and into your houses. And the houses of the Egyptians shall be filled with swarms of flies, and also the ground on which they stand. 22 But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where my people dwell, so that no swarms of flies shall be there, that you may know that I am the Lord in the midst of the earth. 23 Thus I will put a division between my people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall happen.”’” 24 And the Lord did so. There came great swarms of flies into the house of Pharaoh and into his servants’ houses. Throughout all the land of Egypt the land was ruined by the swarms of flies.

25 Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and said, “Go, sacrifice to your God within the land.” 26 But Moses said, “It would not be right to do so, for the offerings we shall sacrifice to the Lord our God are an abomination to the Egyptians. If we sacrifice offerings abominable to the Egyptians before their eyes, will they not stone us? 27 We must go three days’ journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the Lord our God as he tells us.” 28 So Pharaoh said, “I will let you go to sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilderness; only you must not go very far away. Plead for me.” 29 Then Moses said, “Behold, I am going out from you and I will plead with the Lord that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, tomorrow. Only let not Pharaoh cheat again by not letting the people go to sacrifice to the Lord.” 30 So Moses went out from Pharaoh and prayed to the Lord. 31 And the Lord did as Moses asked, and removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; not one remained. 32 But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and did not let the people go.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Reflection:

  • When God told Moses to say, “Thus says the Lord,” by whose authority does Moses stand and declare before Pharaoh?  When Jesus commanded believers to “make disciples” (Matthew 28:19), in whose authority do we do so?
  • The plagues demonstrate the power and sovereignty of Yahweh over all the areas of life believed to be protected by the gods of Egypt.  In light of this, what is the significance of Jesus saying in Matthew 28:18, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me”?
  • Can you thank God that he goes before you today in strength and authority?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I lift my heart to you in praise and gratitude for who you are.  Your name and deeds are awesome, and your grace is truly amazing.  Thank you for bringing me to you in faith that I might experience your forgiveness and mercy.  Today I put my trust in you.  For in you alone is found the victory! In Jesus’ name, amen.

11 thoughts on “Daily Devotional-October 8th”

  1. Gracias padre por tus maravillas gracias porque liberaste el pueblo de Egipto de la es la esclavitud hiciste endurecer el corazón del faraón para que todos vieran tú poder eres grande misericordioso omnipotente Salvador de Israel a ti la gloría por los siglos de los siglos gracias por hoy por mañana y los días venideros tú tienes cuidado de tu pueblo gracias mi Dios en nombre y por amor de tu hijo amado amén ?

  3. Praise the Lord for his mercy and grace for without his authority in our lives we would continually walk in sin. Please forgive our sins, and help us walk in victory.

  4. Moses acted by the authority of the Lord, Yahweh. Jesus speaks for himself in his own authority, given to him by the Lord, Yahweh. Jesus gives us the authority to go out and make disciples and therefore we do in Jesus’ name. Jesus is one of three persons of the God head, all of which have authority and submit to one another.
    Thank you Lord that I can live in Jesus’ name, with his power and authority. I pray that more and more I will be in alignment with your will, to experience all your power and authority. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

  5. Thank you Lord for a new day to worship you – the magnificent I AM. Praise you for your provision and mercy shed on your people. Praise you for the holy spirit given to each of us to guide us and take our prayers transforming them for your presence.

    I lift before your throne all of those who are hurting by the loss of a loved one, loss of work, loss of social interaction, and loss of health. I ask that you surround them with those who can uplift their spirits. I ask that you remove this virus from our land just as you did with the plagues on Egypt. I ask that you heal those who are fighting the virus – both physically and our front line workers. Finally I ask that you bless our nation so that others will see your mercy.

    May you be glorified forever and ever, AMEN

  6. God is still showing his authority today it is so sad that so many refuse to accept him as the Supreme One who sent his only son Jesus down to save us from sin.

  9. All these plagues were sent to execute judgment on the Egyptian gods. See Ex 12:12 . God will always root out false gods . There is 1 true God.

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