Author: dgould77

“By now I could have lifted my hand and struck you and your people with a plague to wipe you off the face of the earth. But I have spared you for a purpose—to show you my power and to spread my fame throughout the earth.” v9:15-16
As each gloomy plague descended upon the land, the Egyptian people realized how powerless their own gods were to stop it. Hapi, the god of the Nile River, could not prevent the waters from turning to blood. Hathor, the crafty cow-godess, was helpless as Egyptian livestock died in droves. Amon-Re, the sun-god and chief of the Egyptian gods, could not stop an eerie darkness from covering the land for three full days. The Egyptian gods were:
(1) not personal
(2) numerous
(3) not exclusive (any and all could be worshiped)

By contrast, the Go of the Hebrews was:
(1) a living personal Being
(2) the only true God
(3) the only God who should be worshiped

God was proving to both the Hebrews and the Egyptians that he alone is the living and all-powerful God.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“‘This is the finger of God!’ the magicians exclaimed to Pharaoh. But Pharaoh’s heart remained hard. He wouldn’t listen to them, just as the LORD had predicted.” v8:19
Some people think, If only I could see a miracle, I could believe in God.” God gave Pharaoh just such an oportunity. When gnats infested Egypt, even the magicians agreed that this was God’s work (“the finger of God”) – But still Pharaoh refused to believe. He was stubborn, and stubbornness can blind a person to the truth. When you rid yourself of stubbornness, you may be surprised by abundant evidence of God’s work in your life.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did what the LORD had commanded them. Aaron threw down his staff before Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a serpent! Then Pharaoh called in his own wise men and sorcerers, and these Egyptian magicians did the same thing with their magic. They threw down their staffs, which also became serpents! But then Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs. Pharaoh’s heart, however, remained hard. He still refused to listen, just as the LORD had predicted.” v10-13
How were the wise men and sorcerers able to duplicate Moses’ miracles? Some of their feats involved trickery or illusion, and some may have used satanic power since worshiping gods of the underworld was part of their religion. Ironically, whenever they duplicated one of Moses’ plagues, it only made matters worse. If the magicians had been as powerful as God, they would have reversed the plagues, not added to them.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“Therefore, say to the people of Israel: ‘I am the LORD. I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment. I will claim you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God who has freed you from your oppression in Egypt. I will bring you into the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as your very own possession. I am the LORD!’” v6-8
The Israelites where so mad and worked that they refused to listen to Moses when he came to declare Gods message. It is easy to get caught up in the things going on around us and miss the message God is trying to give us. Or better yet, refuse to listen. How receptive am I to the things of God. Is my life so loud that I don’t hear him, or when I do, do I listen intently or refuse to believe what He is saying?

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible.

“Then Moses went back to the LORD and protested, ‘Why have you brought all this trouble on your own people, Lord? Why did you send me? Ever since I came to Pharaoh as your spokesman, he has been even more brutal to your people. And you have done nothing to rescue them!’” v22-23
Pharaoh had just increased the Hebrews’ workload, and Moses protested that God had not rescued his people. Moses expected faster results and fewer problems. (ever been there?) When God is at work, suffering, setbacks, and hardship may still occur. In James 1:2-4 we are encouraged to be happy when difficulties come our way. Problems develop our patience and character by teaching us to:
1.) Trust God to do what is best for us
2.) Look for ways to honor God in our present situation
3.) Remember that God will not abandon us
4.) Watch for God’s plan for us

“But Moses protested again, ‘What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, ‘The LORD never appeared to you’?’” v1
Excuses, Excuses, Excuses, Moses’ reluctance and fear were caused by overanticipation. He was worried about how the people might respond to him. (fear of rejection) We often build up events in our minds and then panic over what might go wrong. God does not ask us to go where he has not provided the means to help. Go where he leads, trusting him to supply courage, confidence, and resources at the right moment!

The next time an opportunity comes my way, will I make excuses as to why I can’t, or will I trust God to do the impossible?

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“But Moses protested to God, ‘Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”’
God answered, ‘I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.’” v11-12
Many people have heard the story of Moses and the burning bush. At a young age it is taught and we are amazed that God talked to Moses in this way. it is radical and awesome!!! But there is more to it than that. God used the burning bush to get Moses attention. This leaves us having to answer this question, “What does God have to do to get my attention?”

For Moses it took a burning bush, for me it takes …..? But when He gets our attention, how do we respond to His message!

Moses made excuses because he felt inadequate for the job God asked him to do. It was natural for him to feel that way. He was inadequate all by himself. But God wasn’t asking Moses to work alone. He offered other resources to help. God often calls us to do tasks that seem too difficult, but he doesn’t ask us to do them alone. God offers us his resources, just as he did to Moses. We should not hide behind our inadequacies, as Moses did, but look beyond ourselves to the great resources available. Then we can allow God to use our unique contributions.

When God does speak to you, which may not happen through a burning bush, do you hear Him? Are you willing to do what He asks and follow where He leads, even if you think it is impossible?

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible