Wed.’s Devo - Hail and Locusts

Read Ex. 9:27-10:15 Pharaoh thinks he is ready to let Israel go so he sends for Moses so Moses can pray that the hail be taken away. For the first time, Pharaoh admits he has sinned and that the Lord is righteous. He even says that his people are wicked. He seems to be getting the point. I wonder if this is why he didn’t have to wait till the next day to be relieved. Moses said as soon as he left the city he would pray and the hail would cease. Even after Pharoah’s confession, Moses knows that his heart is not really changed. The hail had destroyed their flax and barley that were almost ready to be harvested, but they still had their wheat and rye crops that were yet to come. Moses did as he promised and prayed for the hail to stop, but when it did Pharaoh hardened his heart again and he refused to let them go. God sent Moses again to Pharaoh. He had hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that he might continue to judge them of their sins and so it would be an example to the grandchildren of Israel of what God did in Egypt to evil. Moses told Pharaoh that if he didn’t let his people go, God would send locusts to cover the earth. They will eat every crop that is left and every tree. They will fill their houses and cover everything. Then they left. Pharaoh’s servants pleaded with Pharaoh to just give him what he asked before Egypt is totally ruined. So Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron and asked them who they intended on taking with them. Moses said everyone which made the Pharaoh mad. He told them that only the men could go because he didn’t trust them. Then he told them to get out. Moses did, but then he stretched out his hand toward the land of Egypt and God brought an east wind all night and when morning arrived they found that the east wind had brought the locusts. They did exactly what Moses said they would do. Lord, You are our Strength and our Redeemer. We trust in you always. May we always be on your side fighting with you.