THURSDAY, JANUARY 24
Exodus 7:8-25
Psalm 89:8-9

“O LORD God of hosts,
who is a strong LORD like unto thee?”

LESSONS FROM THE TEN PLAGUES (I)

The LORD promised that His miracles would display who He was, His power and glory to both the children of Israel (Exod 6:6-8) and the Egyptians (Exod 7:3-5). We shall see how He accomplished this over these few days’ readings. There were ten plagues involved: 1) turning water into blood, 2) frogs, 3) lice, 4) flies, 5) cattle disease, 6) boils, 7) hail, 8) locusts, 9) darkness, and 10) the death of all the firstborn of man and beast. But before the plagues began, God set the stage to show who He is. The LORD instructed Moses to ask Aaron to cast his rod, which He turned into a serpent for Pharaoh had challenged them for a miracle to prove their power. Pharaoh’s magicians managed to do the same, but Aaron’s rod swallowed up all their rods. This was again God against gods. The Egyptians worshipped the cobra goddess and their rulers wore a cobra headdress. It symbolized both the protection of Pharaoh and swift death to enemies of the crown. The rod represented royal position and power. So by this act, the LORD showed He was superior to the many rods or serpents before Him. Let us remember that those who challenge His Crown face death. Pharaoh learnt it too at the end of the plagues. Our God is the Supreme Almighty LORD and King.

The LORD began His first plague with the warning: “know that I am the LORD” (Exod 7:17). When approached by Moses and Aaron at the river banks, Pharaoh did not agree to let God’s people go. Moses’ rod turned the river waters and even the collected waters in vessels into real blood. The fishes died, the river stank, and the Egyptians had no water to drink though they dug around the river. The Egyptians worshipped Hapi, the god of the Nile and water which when overflowed made the soil. The LORD crushed this god before their eyes for seven days. If Pharaoh’s magicians had real power, they should have turned the blood back to water, and not turn more water into blood. Believer, know who supplies your needs and provisions.

THOUGHT: My LORD is Almighty and the Provider of all my needs.
PRAYER: I thank Thee, Lord, for being my true Provider.