Today's Reading:Exodus 7:1 - 8:15
"Pharaoh Refuses Moses"
Focus Verses: Exodus 8:8-10
8 Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "Pray to the LORD to take the frogs away from me and my people, and I will let your people go to offer sacrifices to the LORD."
9 Moses said to Pharaoh, "I leave to you the honor of setting the time for me to pray for you and your officials and your people that you and your houses may be rid of the frogs, except for those that remain in the Nile."
10 "Tomorrow," Pharaoh said. Moses replied, "It will be as you say, so that you may know there is no one like the LORD our God.
Insight:
Pharaoh was unyielding and hardhearted. He refused Moses' request to let his people go. Every time he denied Moses, God gave Pharaoh a miraculous sign to show that Moses was truly sent by God.
The second miraculous sign God gave to Pharaoh was a plague of frogs. The entire land suffered from a terrible infestation, even in their houses. The stench and misery was so awful that Pharaoh called for Moses and asked him to pray for the frogs to be taken away.
To make it clear that God was in control, Moses let Pharaoh choose the time for the frogs to be taken away. Oddly enough, Pharaoh said, "Tomorrow."
Response and Action:
Why did Pharaoh say, tomorrow instead of today? Why wouldn't he want relief and deliverance as soon as possible?
What is God offering to help me with today, but I am choosing tomorrow? What blessings am I missing out on today because I am putting them off until tomorrow? What burdens am I needlessly enduring because I am not looking to God for freedom today?
O God, help me to live for you and through you in though, word, and deed. Help me to turn away from what is wrong and do what is right. Give me the wisdom to take hold of your salvation today. Help me to be responsive to you and to take hold of your promises today. Through Christ, I pray. Amen.
Proverb for Today: Prov. 3:7
"Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil."
New Testament for Today: Hebrews 3:13
13But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
In Context: Hebrews 3:7-19
Resources:
The Smell of Sin: And the Fresh Air of Grace
by Don Everts
