Sun.’s Devo - The Last Plague

Read: Exodus 10:1-12:13; Matthew 20:1-28; Psalm 25:1-15; Proverbs 6:6-11 God told Moses why he made Pharoah stubborn. It was so He could display his miraculous signs so they could tell their children and grandchildren about how God made a mockery of the Egyptians. Then they would know that he was the Lord. The plagues had destroyed every season of crops and all the leaves on the trees. Of all the plagues in their history there had never been plagues like these. After the hailstorm, Moses told Pharaoh that locusts were coming to take out what the hail hadn’t. Pharaoh asked Moses who he was planning on taking with him if he let him go to sacrifice to the Lord. Moses told him everyone. At the beginning, Moses had only asked for the men. Pharaoh could see right through that that they weren’t planning on returning so he said, NO! So, Pharaoh got locusts then darkness that they could feel. After that, Pharaoh called Moses in and told him he could take everyone but the livestock. Moses said, No. He told Pharaoh that the last plague would be the death of their firstborn sons. Moses was given instructions for what his people were to do to be saved from the last plague. The were to take a spotless lamb, kill it and smear the blood on the top and sides of the doors of their houses. They were then to enter the house, cook the lamb and eat it with bitter herbs and unleavened bread. It was to be consumed that night. They were to eat it fully dressed with their shoes on and their walking staff in their hands because by faith they were leaving Egypt. God explained that this seventh month would now be the first month of their new year. They were going to be born again as a nation. They were given the practice of Passover as a picture of Jesus death on the cross which made it possible for us to leave our sinful lives (Egypt) and escape to freedom in Christ. Our day of salvation is our beginning of a journey out of Egypt into the promised land of rest and blessing. In Matthew, Jesus gave the parable about the wealthy landowner who hired people throughout the day and paid them the same at the end of the day. The ones who had worked all day had been told what their wages would be and had agreed to them but when they saw that the ones who worked only an hour got the same pay they were upset. The landowner told them that what he did was his right to do. He had the right to be generous. What a lesson to those of us who have been walking with the Lord for a long time. We cannot let ourselves get jealous when we see God pour out his favor on those who are new to the kingdom. It is God’s right to bless whoever he wants to. We should rejoice with them. Jesus was taking his disciples to Jerusalem and he wanted to share with them exactly what was about to happen. He was about to be handed over to the Romans, beaten, then crucified. But on the third day he would rise from the grave. Their reaction is priceless. The mother of James and John came and asked that her sons sit in places of honor in his kingdom. Jesus told them they didn’t know what they were asking because to be elevated in God’s kingdom you must face great spiritual warfare on earth. Satan is not just going to let someone have that place without a fight. Jesus explained that he was not the one who would choose those positions. They had been chosen long ago by God. Jesus told them that the way to become great in heaven was to be a servant on earth. Lord, may we learn to be servants here on earth and let promotions come from you in your timing to whoever you want to promote. Our reward is You.