PHARAOH'S STUBBORN HEART

 

DONATE Saturday, November 18, 2023 Thanks, and Goodbye LISTEN   “But when Pharaoh saw that relief had come, he became stubborn. He refused to listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had predicted.” —Exodus 8:15  The ancient Egyptians worshipped the Nile River, which included the god Hapi, who was considered the god of the Nile. Obviously, this river was important to them because it was a source of life. So, when God sent ten successive plagues on Egypt, He started by turning the Nile River to blood. It’s worth noting that the ancient Egyptians were fanatics about cleanliness. Thus, to have their beloved Nile suddenly turn to blood was a severe judgment. God was saying, “Here’s your god. Where is he now to save you?” Then Pharaoh’s magicians came along and turned what little clear water that was left into blood as well. Of course, it might have been a little more impressive if they had turned the bloody water to clear water. However, Pharaoh’s heart simply grew harder, and he persisted in his rebellion. Next came an invasion of frogs. In addition to the Nile, the Egyptians worshipped a frog-headed goddess called Heqet. In effect, God was saying, “You want gods? I have gods for you. Let the festivities begin.” Everywhere they turned, there were frogs. The Bible tells us there were even frogs in their beds and in their ovens. Amazingly, Pharaoh had his magicians come in and imitate this plague with even more frogs. But this was getting on Pharaoh’s nerves. He called on Moses and Aaron to get rid of the frogs. In Exodus 8 we read, “So Moses and Aaron left Pharaoh’s palace, and Moses cried out to the Lord about the frogs he had inflicted on Pharaoh. And the Lord did just what Moses had predicted. The frogs in the houses, the courtyards, and the fields all died” (verses 12–13 NLT). The land stunk with the odor of dead frogs. But then we read, “When Pharaoh saw that relief had come, he became stubborn. He refused to listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had predicted” (verse 15 NLT). In other words, “This one is getting to me. Call on God. Get me out of this.” So, that is what Moses and Aaron did. God answered their prayer, and the frogs died. And when Pharaoh saw the crisis was over, he backed out of his promise. This is typical of some people today who call out to God in desperation. They find themselves in a mess they created, so they cry out to God for help. But when He graciously condescends and helps them, they essentially say, “Thanks, God! See You next crisis!” A hospital chaplain kept a record of two thousand patients he had visited, all apparently in a dying condition, who showed various signs of repentance. Among those who had been restored to health, the chaplain felt that only two showed a marked change in their spiritual lives after their recovery. In other words, when people thought they were going to die, they called on God. But when they recovered, they basically forgot about Him. Let that not be said of us. Share this today:

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