Day 31: Exodus 5-9

Life is getting very hard for the Israelites in Egypt. God hears their cry and feels their pain and so He sends Moses to talk to Pharaoh.

These chapters contain the 1st 7 plagues that God sends on Pharaoh and Egypt:

1. Blood (7:14-24)
2. Frogs (8:1-15)
3. Gnats (8:16-19 - gnats are small so they only get a few verses - but, interestingly, this is the first one that Pharaoh's magicians couldn't duplicate)
4. Flies (8:20-30)
5. Livestock (9:1-7)
6. Boils (9:8-12)
7. Hail (9:13-35)

I think the thing that really hit me though was in chapter 5. Moses is sent by God to talk Pharaoh into releasing His people...and the result of this first meeting is the exact opposite. Instead of releasing the people, as Moses asked, Pharaoh is angered and increases the work load on the Israelites. Far from being released, things only get worse. The people complain to Moses:

...they found Moses and Aaron waiting to meet them, and they said, “May the LORD look on you and judge you! You have made us obnoxious to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.” (5:20-21)

Moses complains to God:

Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all.” (5:22-23)

So...does God keep His promise?
       Well, yes...if we read ahead we know that He does.
Do the people think so?
       No, they do not.
Why not?
       They're too short sighted. They can't see the big picture.

Another reminder to keep looking at life through the lens of eternity. Just because things get hard doesn't mean God has forgotten His promises. Man, this is a hard lesson to learn.

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:8-9)