THIS IS WAR!
Exodus 7.1-11.10
S: Change
C: Judgment
Th: Movin’ On Up!
Pr: ALIGN YOURSELF WITH GOD’S PLANS.
Type: Inductive
I. WAR PLAN (7.1-7)
II. WARNING SHOT (7.8-13)
III. WAR (8.1-11.10)
PA: How is the change to be observed?
• Don’t underestimate God.
• Soften your heart, ask for mercy.
• Act on His priorities.
Version: ESV
RMBC 09 March 08 AM
INTRODUCTION:
Atheism (S)
Richard Wurmbrand, a Romanian Jew, has been called "the voice of the underground church." In the 1940s, he was jailed and tortured by communist officials in his home country. While imprisoned, he spoke boldly of the gospel to his atheistic captors.
About one experience in the 14 years he spent in prison, he wrote, "The political officer asked me harshly, ’How long will you continue to keep your stupid religion?’
"I said to him, ’I have seen innumerable atheists regretting on their deathbeds that they have been godless; they called on Christ. Can you imagine that a Christian could regret, when death is near, that he has been a Christian and call on Marx or Lenin to rescue him from his faith?’
"The atheist began to laugh, ’A clever answer.’
"I continued, ’When an engineer has built a bridge, the fact that a cat can pass over the bridge is no proof that the bridge is good. A train must pass over it to prove its strength. The fact that you can be an atheist when everything goes well does not prove the truth of atheism. It does not hold up in moments of great crisis.’
"I used Lenin’s books to prove to him that, even after becoming prime minister of the Soviet Union, Lenin himself prayed when things went wrong."
Citation: DC Talk, Jesus Freaks: DC Talk and The Voice of the Martyrs (Bethany House, 2002), pp. 53-54
Before the new atheists of Dawkins, Harris, Hitchens, and their ilk (ones we studied in November) hit the streets, there were others that preceded them that believed that they did not need God.
Before the communistic system claimed that religion was a crutch for weak people and outlawed Christianity, there were others that preceded them that believed that they did not need God.
1. Pharaoh did not believe in God, only himself.
When Moses and Aaron commanded pharaoh to let God’s people go, he refused.
In fact, he discouraged this type of thinking by making the Hebrew people make the same quota of bricks without giving them the necessary straw.
He said that they were lazy for thinking about leaving.
You see, as far as he was concerned, pharaoh believed he was the god of Egypt.
He did not believe in the God of the children of Israel.
He was in charge.
He was in control.
But…
2. He is about to come out on the losing end of a great war.
He is going to be the biggest loser.
This is going to be no contest in a battle of the gods.
Pharaoh thought he was the favorite.
He thought he had the advantage of playing at home.
But he did not understand who he was up against.
He was, to say the least, underestimating his opponent.
OUR STUDY:
As we come to the text today, a…
I. WAR PLAN (7.1-7)
…is being developed.
ILL Calling (S)
C.S. Lewis, in Studies in Theology, says:
God seems to do nothing of Himself which He can possibly delegate to His creatures. He commands us to do slowly and blunderingly what He could do perfectly and in the twinkling of an eye.
The war plan involved two important men, who were discouraged.
But it seems…
3. Moses finally gets it; God has invested in him heavily.
He’s the man.
It is time to put away the discouragement.
It is time to get out the courage, because there is a war to fight.
7.1-2
And the Lord said to Moses, "See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of his land.”
Here is the plan, Moses.
“You are God to pharaoh.”
“You will be speaking My very words.”
Moses was doing God’s work.
He could have confidence in this.
He was representing Yahweh – the Great I Am.
He was the ambassador for El Shaddai – the Almighty God – who was above all and over all.
So Moses puts away his timidity, his hesitancy, and he fires the…
II. WARNING SHOT (7.8-13)
You see…
4. An opportunity is provided to change course.
Pharaoh can change course.
7.10-12
So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the Lord commanded. Aaron cast down his staff before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts. For each man cast down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs.
The staff turns into a serpent, which in the context, was most likely a cobra.
The magicians were able to duplicate it, but there was one problem.
Before Moses even had time to be discouraged by the duplication, their cobra ate up the magicians’.
This was the opportunity for pharaoh to change.
It was a warning.
Anything pharaoh could do, God would do better.
It was a warning.
“Pharaoh, you are a mere mortal.”
“There is only one God.”
He was definitely in over his head.
But note his reply…
7.13
Still Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.
This is…
III. WAR (8.1-11.10)
The warnings are over.
There will be no more demonstrations.
The plans are set in motion.
God is on the attack.
And He has a deliberate strategy.
God is going after the entire pantheon of Egyptian gods and goddesses, including pharaoh.
So the plagues begin…
5. #1: Blood
The Egyptian god of the Nile, Hapi, receives the first attack, and it is an impending warning of death.
You can not express how important the Nile River is to Egypt, for its life-giving water keeps Egypt from being totally desert.
7.20-24
Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded. In the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants he lifted up the staff and struck the water in the Nile, and all the water in the Nile turned into blood. And the fish in the Nile died, and the Nile stank, so that the Egyptians could not drink water from the Nile. There was blood throughout all the land of Egypt. But the magicians of Egypt did the same by their secret arts. So Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said. Pharaoh turned and went into his house, and he did not take even this to heart. And all the Egyptians dug along the Nile for water to drink, for they could not drink the water of the Nile.
This was an attack on both the water and food supplies.
There was no fresh water and fresh fish.
And though the magicians were able to duplicate turning water into blood, they were unable to reverse it.
Plague…
6. #2: Frogs
In Egypt, frogs were sacred, and were not to be killed.
They were represented by Heqt, the frog-headed goddess of fruitfulness.
The magicians were able to create more, but who wanted them?
They needed less, not more.
They were everywhere.
And it was annoying.
They were in the bread, and in the bed.
They were in your coats, and in your boats.
(My apologies to Dr. Seuss.)
And in seven days, they returned to the waters where they belonged.
Ill Personal
When I was a youth pastor in Little Falls NY, one of the things we did every spring is go on a camping retreat in the Adirondacks.
But there is a problem in the Adirondacks in the Spring. They are called black flies. And they bite. They are nasty bites that draw blood. In order to keep ourselves from going crazy, we wore netting like this man in the picture.
Well this reminds us of plague…
7. #3: Gnats
Some translations think this may have been lice, instead of gnat-like creatures.
Both are incredibly small, so it fits.
The best case that is made, I think, is for a sand flea that is found in Egypt.
It digs beneath the skin and there is a lot of itching pain that is associated with it.
This attack was against the god of flies and beetles, Khepher.
This was a most irritating plague.
These bugs got in your hair, your nose, your ears, and even flew into your mouth.
People were probably going crazy.
8.18-19
The magicians tried by their secret arts to produce gnats, but they could not. So there were gnats on man and beast. Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.
It is interesting to note that the magicians were powerless to match this plague.
And they come to the right conclusion.
It is the finger of God.
You see, they knew they were being outmatched.
But not pharaoh.
So comes plague…
8. #4: Flies
The Egyptian god, Khepher is attacked again.
Most likely, these were dog flies, that have a very hurtful bite that draws blood.
When it happens, there are bloody swellings, on both people and livestock.
This plague ends, and pharaoh once again goes back on his promise to let the people go.
So comes plague…
9. #5: Livestock
This was probably meant to be an attack on Hathor.
The picture there is an artist’s rendition of this Egyptian goddess (that is a female there in the picture).
Interestingly, this plague does not effect the Hebrew population at all.
The livestock of the Egyptians begins to die off, and thus another food source takes a huge hit.
They lose meat.
They lose dairy
And they lose wealth, as livestock were a means of trading.
But pharaoh reneges again, and so comes plague…
10. #6: Boils
Imhotep, the physician god, is the one that suffers embarrassment, as he is unable to protect the Egyptians from El Shaddai.
The boils were deep ulcers that were extremely painful.
They would become infected, and the pus would run out on the skin.
But pharaoh refuses to budge, so comes plague…
11. #7: Hail
This is a picture of Nut, goddess of the sky.
In this picture, you see that she acts as a protection for people.
But she will fail, as hail pummels the land, crushing and destroying the fields and their bounty.
As is his pattern every time, pharaoh asks for relief…
9.27-28
Then Pharaoh sent and called Moses and Aaron and said to them, "This time I have sinned; the Lord is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong. Plead with the Lord, for there has been enough of God’s thunder and hail. I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer."
9.34-35
But when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunder had ceased, he sinned yet again and hardened his heart, he and his servants. So the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people of Israel go, just as the Lord had spoken through Moses.
Now comes attack…
12. #8: Locusts
This plague immobilized two Egyptian gods: Serapia, the protector from locusts; and Seth, the god of crops.
What had been knocked down by the hail, now was eaten up by the locusts.
All that was green was consumed.
Branches of bushes and trees were stripped bare.
Every plant was completely devoured.
It is here that we find that the magicians beg pharaoh to let the Hebrews go.
They tell him that Egypt is ruined.
But pharaoh does not listen, and once the locusts are gone, we find him once again with a hard heart.
So now will come the bone-chilling plague…
13. #9: Darkness
This was meant to get the pharaoh’s attention for it was an attack on Re, god of the sun and king of the gods.
The sun did not shine.
For three days, people could not see their hand in front of their face.
The darkness was so think that they could feel it.
It was oppressive, both on the mind and spirit.
But after the darkness is lifted, pharaoh once again refuses.
And now the most devastating plague is about to happen…
14. #10: Firstborn
…the death of the firstborn.
11.4-6
So Moses said, "Thus says the Lord: About midnight I will go out in the midst of Egypt, and every firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the cattle. There shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has never been, nor ever will be again.
The Egyptian god, Bes, was the protector of family, and he will be utterly defeated by this unique judgment of God.
God is going to strike the firstborn, because He knows that this will be the only thing that can move pharaoh.
Through all of this, he continues to harden his heart, because he believes in his own deity.
But this time, he will be defeated.
This is a power that he cannot contest.
He will finally concede and send the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.
CHALLENGE:
It is important that we…
15. Don’t underestimate God.
He has the ability to move in our lives.
But not only does He have the ability, He desires to do so as well.
We have talked today about God’s high profile judgment of the Egyptians, but it occurred because of His unfailing love for His people.
And just as He desired for the Hebrews, He wants to be in right relationship with us.
He wants our lives to be better.
Don’t underestimate the good God wants to bring you.
Don’t underestimate the love that He has for you.
But the truth is, we only seem to count on these things when pain or conflict comes into our lives.
When we lose a job…
When we are not feeling well…
When we fail in accomplishing our goals…
When we are rejected…
It is then that we pour out our hearts to God.
Too often, though, we ignore God.
We don’t come to Him unless we have a need of Him.
But when we belong to God, this too, is underestimating Him.
Being a Christian, a follower of Jesus, means that we give consistent and meaningful attention to our Lord and Savior.
Being a Christian is not a matter of convenience.
It is a matter of worship, study, personal growth, community, and outreach.
When we are focused elsewhere, and our attention is on other idols, we can be sure that God will not tolerate it.
We underestimate Him if we do not think He will bring correction to us if we are wandering away from what should be priorities in our life.
We should also not underestimate God’s power to judge that which is wrong in this world.
To be sure, His timing is not ours.
He does not work nearly as quickly as we would desire.
The Hebrews certainly felt this way, but they did find out that God’s judgment wheel does turn.
It may grind slowly, but as it does, it grinds exceedingly fine.
God is superior.
All gods, powers, authorities, principalities, and ideologies are inferior.
All powers, visible or invisible, cannot ultimately change His course.
As pharaoh learned, taking on God is like a beginner taking on an Olympian champion.
So, do not be caught like pharaoh with a hardened heart.
Instead…
16. Soften your heart; ask for mercy.
Pharaoh suffered from a hardened heart.
Now, don’t be sorry for Him.
God predicted that He would harden God’s heart, but it was in response to pharaoh’s consistent rejection of Him.
Pharaoh was stubborn.
He was bullheaded, pigheaded, and stubborn as a mule.
He was a harsh man who refused God’s overture to change direction from the very start.
Every plague was an opportunity for pharaoh to actually act differently.
But as Egypt suffered each plague, he refused to give in.
Instead of softening, he hardened.
He offered partial obedience, but never full.
He really was not open to God’s work.
You see, if you decide to reject God long enough, He will inevitably grant your wish.
He will give it a fixed setting.
And the only way you will ever repent is when you have no choice.
So soften your heart.
Ask for mercy.
And align yourself with God’s plans.
Pharaoh refused to do so, but eventually he had to give in.
He had to go God’s way whether he wanted to or not.
How much better for him would it have been if he stopped pretending to be someone he was not and follow God’s plan.
ILL Judgment (S)
Many years ago a man conned his way into the orchestra of the emperor of China although he could not play a note. Whenever the group practiced or performed, he would hold his flute against his lips, pretending to play but not making a sound. He received a modest salary and enjoyed a comfortable living. Then one day the emperor requested a solo from each musician. The flutist got nervous. There wasn’t enough time to learn the instrument. He pretended to be sick, but the royal physician wasn’t fooled. On the day of his solo performance, the imposter took poison and killed himself. The explanation of his suicide led to a phrase that found its way into the English language: “He refused to face the music.” (Just Like Jesus; Max Lucado)
Today you can pretend to be a part of God’s orchestra by just blending in with the crowd and going through the motions.
No one notices here, because you say the right things, go to the right places, and hang out with the right people.
And you can enjoy the comfort of being accepted by the crowd of your choice.
But there will come a day when you must face the music, one day you will be separated from everything.
On that day you will stand alone before God and give an account for your life, your decisions, and whether you believed in Jesus or not.
You can be prepared for that day.
You can soften your heart to the God who loves you.
You can ask for mercy to the God who desires to give it.
And by doing so, you will…
17. Act on His priorities.
He has priorities for you and me that are for our best.
When we act on them, our lives come together as our Designer designed them to be.
And it is there we have joy.
What are those priorities?
They are reaching people for Jesus.
They are being a community of love and grace.
They are communicating the Word of God.
They are being devoted to following Jesus.
They are worshipping our God and Savior, the Lord Jesus.
Are these the priorities you are acting on today?
When you act on these, you give people the opportunity to stop their war with God, and be at peace, now and forever.
What a great mission we have been given!
For Further Study: Genesis 12.3; Joshua 2.8-9; I Samuel 4.8; Proverbs 21.1; Matthew 4.10, 6.24; John 8.36; Romans 11.33; Hebrews 3.7-8, 4.13, 10.31
BENEDICTION:
Let’s not find ourselves in conflict with God, for it is foolish to underestimate His power; instead…
Align yourself with God’s plans because He has great plans for you and for this church;
Act on His priorities, because He has a great mission for us to accomplish.
So…
Now to him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
RESOURCES:
SermonCentral:
DeWitt, David Plagued with Problems
Hamby, John The Consequences of a Hard Heart
May, James Beware of the Plagues
Menear, Brian The Plagues of Egypt
Newton, Glenn God’s Fireworks on Display
Vasicek, Ed Yahweh Takes on the Gods of Egypt
Books:
Briscoe, Jill. "Here Am I -- Send Aaron!" Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1978.
Gispen, Willem H. Exodus. Translated by Ed M. van der Maas. Bible Student’s Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Regency Reference Library, 1982.
Pink, A. W. Gleanings in Exodus. Chicago: Moody Press, 1981.
Ramm, Bernard. His Way Out: A Fresh Look at Exodus. Glendale, CA: Regal Books, 1975.
Swindoll, Charles R. Moses: A Man of Selfless Dedication. Great Lives from God’s Word, vol. 4. Nashville: Word Publishing, 1999.
