Day 9: City On A Hill
Scripture: Exodus 9
It’s more of the same in chapter 9. Through Moses and Aaron, God brings more plagues on the Egyptians: death of Egyptian livestock, boils, and hail. And once again Pharaoh promises to release the Jews, only to reverse course once the plagues are removed. Perhaps you’re wondering: “Why doesn’t God just take Pharaoh out and liberate the people instead of going through all of these plagues?”
We actually discover the answer to that question when God reveals to Pharaoh the reason for the plagues at the end of v. 14: “so that you may know that there is none like me in all the earth.” I imagine Pharaoh thought there was none like himself. But God was using the plagues to reveal the real truth, that even the most powerful person on earth is puny in comparison to Him.
As a kid, whenever I would get too big for my britches my dad would say to me: “Tony, you’re a real legend… in your own mind!” We all struggle with pride from time to time, some more than others. Pride has been an issue ever since Satan was cast out of the presence of God because of it (Isaiah 14). Same with Adam and Even (Genesis 3). On numerous occasions Scripture tells us that pride will come before a fall.
The problem with pride is that it exalts self when God is the only One worthy to be exalted. The psalmist put it this way in Psalm 113:5-6: “Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?”
God is so above and beyond us humans that we can’t even fully grasp what that looks like. Even when God would reveal His veiled glory to individuals in Scripture, their response was awe and wonder and even fear. One of the best deterrents to pride growing in our hearts is to humbly come before God each day in worship and in prayer. It helps cut us down to size.
God actually goes on and tells Pharaoh another reason for the plagues in vs. 15-16: “For by now I could have put out my hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, and you would have been cut off from the earth. But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.”
God desires that His name be proclaimed throughout the earth. When God finally sets His people free in chapter 12, the surrounding nations will hear about it. The miraculous way God will do this will spread like wildfire. When God chose the people for Himself, through Abraham (Genesis 12), part of the reason was so they would become a beacon of light to the rest of the world.
God’s power would be proclaimed through His people. How about us? Are we stepping out by faith and asking God to show His power in our lives? Jesus taught in Matthew 5:14 that: “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” We are to shine the light of God’s glory and power. Are we?
Scripture: Exodus 9
It’s more of the same in chapter 9. Through Moses and Aaron, God brings more plagues on the Egyptians: death of Egyptian livestock, boils, and hail. And once again Pharaoh promises to release the Jews, only to reverse course once the plagues are removed. Perhaps you’re wondering: “Why doesn’t God just take Pharaoh out and liberate the people instead of going through all of these plagues?”
We actually discover the answer to that question when God reveals to Pharaoh the reason for the plagues at the end of v. 14: “so that you may know that there is none like me in all the earth.” I imagine Pharaoh thought there was none like himself. But God was using the plagues to reveal the real truth, that even the most powerful person on earth is puny in comparison to Him.
As a kid, whenever I would get too big for my britches my dad would say to me: “Tony, you’re a real legend… in your own mind!” We all struggle with pride from time to time, some more than others. Pride has been an issue ever since Satan was cast out of the presence of God because of it (Isaiah 14). Same with Adam and Even (Genesis 3). On numerous occasions Scripture tells us that pride will come before a fall.
The problem with pride is that it exalts self when God is the only One worthy to be exalted. The psalmist put it this way in Psalm 113:5-6: “Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?”
God is so above and beyond us humans that we can’t even fully grasp what that looks like. Even when God would reveal His veiled glory to individuals in Scripture, their response was awe and wonder and even fear. One of the best deterrents to pride growing in our hearts is to humbly come before God each day in worship and in prayer. It helps cut us down to size.
God actually goes on and tells Pharaoh another reason for the plagues in vs. 15-16: “For by now I could have put out my hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, and you would have been cut off from the earth. But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.”
God desires that His name be proclaimed throughout the earth. When God finally sets His people free in chapter 12, the surrounding nations will hear about it. The miraculous way God will do this will spread like wildfire. When God chose the people for Himself, through Abraham (Genesis 12), part of the reason was so they would become a beacon of light to the rest of the world.
God’s power would be proclaimed through His people. How about us? Are we stepping out by faith and asking God to show His power in our lives? Jesus taught in Matthew 5:14 that: “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” We are to shine the light of God’s glory and power. Are we?
Posted in Journey of Hope