Exodus 5 - 8

A Hard Heart
Today's portion begins the process of setting the Hebrew's free from the bondage of Egypt. Moses and Aaron make a simple demand in 5:1 - "Let my people go."  Pharaoh reacts in a manner one would expect from a person who thinks of himself as having all power.  He did not know the God of the Hebrews nor did he understand a people that worshiped an unseen God. Pharaoh was a God to his people - his word was law. His wishes and desires were carried out without question.  For Moses and Aaron to demand freedom for slaves seemed ludicrous to Pharaoh.  As a result he increased their labor and caused more hardship.

The burden and demands of slave life had affected the mentality of the Hebrews.  In spite of Moses' pleas and explanations that he was sent by God to deliver them, the Bible states in 6:9, "They refused to listen." This is not surprising.  When we allow the devil to influence our lives with habits and bad thoughts, we refuse to listen to the Word of God, to the ministry, and to the unction of the Holy Spirit, we become just as obstinate. Sometimes, what the Lord sends to deliver us is so out of line with our human thinking, we despise and reject it.

Exodus 6:14-30 is a genealogical interlude that, frankly, I have not discerned its purpose in terms of where it is placed in scripture. Perhaps it is there to remind the enslaved people who Moses is and, by extension, who the Hebrews are.

In chapter 7, Moses and Aaron begin a series of plagues to get Pharaoh to realize he is not God and Yahweh is God.  At first, Pharaoh's magicians replicate the plagues - water to blood, and frogs.  By the third plague - gnats - the magician's are convinced, declaring in vs 9, "This is the finger of God!"  Pharaoh's heart remains unchanged and refuses to release the Hebrews.

In what can only be thought of as darkly humorous, Pharaoh makes a declaration in 8:10 that defies all logic. Moses tells Pharaoh that if Pharaoh will relent, he will pray to God and have Him remove the frogs.  Pharaoh, at this point disgusted with the frogs and the filth they produce, agrees with Moses demands.  Moses tells Pharaoh, "You set the time."(vs 9).  Pharaoh states, "Do it tomorrow."  I found this incredible. Why, when given the opportunity to be delivered from a terrible plague, would anyone, in their right mind, put it off another day?  This is the ultimate in procrastination! One more night with the frogs!!!

Pharaoh's stance is reminds me of those who are addicted to cigarettes, or alcoholics, or those with any type of addiction.  Given a chance to rehabilitate, or to rid themselves of poison, frequently the choice is to put it off - one more drink, one more hit, one more cigarette. Lord deliver us.

God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.