Read: Exodus 10:1-12:13; Matthew 20:1-28; Psalm 25:1-15a; Proverbs 6:6-11
After seven plagues, God lets Moses in on his secret. He has been hardening Pharaoh’s heart so He could perform his signs and miracles. All of their waiting and discouragement was a part of God’s plan. I wonder how many times this is God’s plan when we have prayed and prayed and it seems everything has gone the opposite way. Could it be God’s plan to do it in a way that he would get glory and reveal himself to us and others? I think so!
The next plague was to be locusts that would devour what little was left after the destroying hail. This time Pharaoh’s officials begged him to let them go, so Pharaoh came up with a compromise. Only the men could go, but their wives and children had to say in Egypt. Moses answered with locusts.
They destroyed everything and Pharaoh was ready to repent. God hardened his heart because he wasn’t finished with his signs.
The next sign was three days of darkness that could be felt. It must have been frightening because Pharaoh was ready to let the whole family go, but they had to leave their flocks and herds. Moses explained that they needed them for sacrifices. Pharaoh was so upset he told Moses to get out of his sight and not appear before him again. He was not letting them go.
God told Moses that there was one last plague and then Pharaoh would let them go. The people were to ask silver and gold and clothing of the Egyptians. By this time, the Egyptians were so in awe of the power of God, they would have given them anything.
The last plague would be the death of the first born son of all Egypt and their cattle. None of Israel would lose a soul.
Then he gave them a new birth day for their nation. It was the seventh month which would now be their first month on their calendar. They were to take a lamb on the 10th and examine it until the 14th. It was to be young and without blemish. On the 14th they were to slaughter it at twilight and put its blood on the sides and tops of the door frames of the houses where they ate the lambs. They were to eat it roasted over the fire, also with bitter herbs and bread made without yeast. It was to be completely consumed by morning. They were to eat it with their cloak tucked into their belts, sandals on their feet, and staff in hand as if they were about to leave. They were to eat quickly because it was the Lord’s Passover.
On that night the death angel would pass over the houses with the blood. He would take the first born of the houses without the blood.
We know that all of the things they did to the lamb were the things they did to Jesus. His blood is what keeps us from death and passes us to heaven to live eternally.
In Matthew, Jesus gave the parable about the king who hired workmen at different times of the day. He promised them the same wages and payed them all the same. The ones who had worked the longest complained but the king explained that he was giving them what he promised.
We are all called into the kingdom at different ages but we will all be given the same reward. We are also chosen to be born in different millenniums. Some eras are more difficult than others. We didn’t chose when we were to live but we will get the same reward as those who walked through the hard times of the Old Testament, and those who were greatly persecuted. It is God who chooses when we are to be born and where. He is a just God full of love and compassion.
The way we live here on earth determines the position we will serve in heaven. Jesus explained that the one who is last here will be first there. The one who serves here will reign there.
Lord, thank you for your perfect plan. Help us to walk humbly on this earth as your friend, serving others as you did.
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