The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 22 March 2022 – Divine Distinction (Fourth Plague)
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TOPIC: Divine Distinction (Fourth Plague)
READ: Exodus 8:20-32 (NKJV)
- And the LORD said to Moses, “Rise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh as he comes out to the water. Then say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.
- “Or else, if you will not let My people go, behold, I will send swarms [of flies] on you and your servants, on your people and into your houses. The houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms [of flies,] and also the ground on which they [stand.]
- “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.
- “I will make a difference between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall be.” ‘ “
- And the LORD did so. Thick swarms [of flies] came into the house of Pharaoh, [into] his servants’ houses, and into all the land of Egypt. The land was corrupted because of the swarms [of flies.]
- Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, “Go, sacrifice to your God in the land.”
- And Moses said, “It is not right to do so, for we would be sacrificing the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our God. If we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, then will they not stone us?
- “We will go three days’ journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the LORD our God as He will command us.”
- And Pharaoh said, “I will let you go, that you may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only you shall not go very far away. Intercede for me.”
- Then Moses said, “Indeed I am going out from you, and I will entreat the LORD, that the swarms [of flies] may depart tomorrow from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people. But let Pharaoh not deal deceitfully anymore in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD.”
- So Moses went out from Pharaoh and entreated the LORD.
- And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; He removed the swarms [of flies] from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people. Not one remained.
- But Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also; neither would he let the people go.
THE MESSAGE:
We have seen from the preceding verses that Pharaoh is a symbol of the world’s ungodly system and Egypt represents the enemies of the Lord (Ezekiel 29:1-6). God clearly specified His message to Pharaoh on what He wanted from him, and what would happen if he disobeyed.
In spite of the plagues of frogs and lice, Pharoah still would not let the Israelites leave Egypt. Twice Moses had pleaded with God to remove the plagues, yet Pharoah went back on his promise to release the children of Israel. So God sent a fourth plague of flies all over the land of Egypt.
The exclusion of the Israelites from the plagues was the most remarkable aspect that showed the Sovereignty of God – He is capable of protecting His people in times of trouble, which the gods of Egypt could not guarantee. Both in heaven and on earth, God separates the righteous from the wicked (Matthew 25.32). We should learn from this passage not to be hardened to the promptings of God, as Pharoah did. There are many signs and wonderful works God has done in and around us, and yet many decide to live in unbelief. No matter how Christians try to evangelise, many still remain adamant. A hardened heart is the devil’s playground. We should also learn from Moses to keep following God’s mandate by ministering and showing forth the wonderful works God does around us.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, deliver me from hardness of heart and contempt for Your Word.
