Day 32: Exodus 1012

Today's passage: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=exodus+10-12&version=NIV

As we move into chapters 10-12, the plagues continued. Pharaoh responded with immense pride in defiance of what the Lord called Israel to do. In Egyptian culture, Pharaoh had all the power and was worshipped as a god. Pharaoh was full of pride and couldn’t bear to release his slaves to go sacrifice to another God. He had no need for God until the plagues got to be too much. With each plague, he would repent and ask Moses to pray to God for forgiveness. He would promise to let them go and as soon as things were back to normal, in defiance of the Lord, Pharaoh would try to determine the terms of the release of God’s people. I think we are quick to believe we aren't like Pharaoh, but who among us hasn't gone before God begging for relief and making promises about what we will do if he delivers us, only to fall back into our own patterns when relief comes. We can definitely learn a lesson from Pharaoh!

In chapters 11 & 12, we reach the final and most horrific plague, the death of every first born. This plague is different from the others, not just because of its gravity, but because this time, God asks His people to demonstrate their faith. In past plagues, God had made a distinction by protecting Israel’s land, livestock and people from the effects. This time, they are called to act faithfully in order for the Lord to “pass over” them during the tenth plague. They must follow God’s directions in the sacrificing a lamb for a Passover feast.

Just like we saw foreshadowing in the story of Joseph, here in the Passover story, we also see revelation of what is to come in our Deliverer, Jesus Christ. In this Passover, God’s people were required to act in faith in order to be delivered from death of the firstborn. We too, are delivered by our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior. Galatians 3:14 says “He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” Also, in this Passover, deliverance from death of the firstborn comes through the blood of a sacrificial lamb. John 1:29 says “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” We have the ultimate deliverance from death and are offered eternal life through the blood of Christ, our sacrificial lamb.

I am so thankful that God provided a Deliverer in Jesus Christ for us. Take some time to meditate on his good and perfect gift. Are you aware of someone who has allowed pride or other sin to harden his or her heart toward God’s love? Be faithful in your daily prayer, that they will come to know God as their Deliverer and share in this amazing gift!

Psalm 18:1-2 “I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Today’s post submitted by Kelly Coxe