Exodus 9:13-10:29 – The One in Control
As the plagues continue there appears to be an increased intensity.
But also there appears to be a greater hardening of Pharaoh’s heart.
The god worshipped most by Egyptians was Pharaoh himself. He was believed to have the heart of a god, and his son was the son of god. Also as Pharaoh he was seen as the one who had control over the created things. When Pharaoh ruled there was to be order and not chaos.
But continually God shows that he is the one in control of all creation.
The next 3 plagues include hail, locusts, and darkness.
The hail storm will show that there is no one like the LORD in all the earth, it will display his power, and cause his name to be proclaimed in all the earth. Not even the Egyptian weather gods could perform such wonders.
The locusts devoured what remained after the hail storm. The Egyptians are in a desperate state. Pharaoh’s servants even have the tenacity to question Pharaoh’s reluctance to let the Israelites go! Egypt’s gods, Min, Isis, and Anubis, the gods of fields and harvest, have no power.
And then darkness comes over the land. A terrifyingly deep darkness. Amon-Re was the Egyptian god who was supposed to have life giving power when the sun rose every day. Pharaoh was considered the son of Re. But not even the biggest of all Egyptian gods could stand against the LORD. The earth is the LORD’s (9:29).
How wonderful when we come to the New Testament that we are told in Colossians 1:16-17, “For by him (Jesus Christ) all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible…all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
Jesus Christ is the one in whom the whole of creation holds together. He sustains the world by his word. This includes his power over all things, including the plagues of Egypt. All of this happens so that we may know he is the LORD in the midst of the earth.
Questions
- What comfort do we find in knowing that Jesus Christ holds all things together?
- Are there any areas in your life where you are trusting more in false gods than in the LORD?
Prayer Points
- Give thanks that Christ is in control of all things.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.