So far, the plagues have affected the Egyptians’ comfort, their health and their wealth. Now the effects become more severe, and the Lord reveals that his purposes have gone beyond freedom for his people.

Before the seventh plague – the violent hailstorms – God declares that his purpose was not only that Pharaoh might know and admit God’s power and sovereignty, but also that the whole world would know it.

Before the eight plague – the locusts – God declares that his purpose is that Moses’ own descendants and all the people of Israel would know and remember what happened in Egypt so that they would have no doubt about the sovereignty of God.

The Old Testament can be difficult for us to read. There is so much suffering. Yet how much of that suffering could have been avoided if the people had simply admitted the Lordship of God?

Whether we like it or not, whether we admit it or not, the Lord is God, and he alone is sovereign over all things. Anyone who ignores or denies this truth is choosing a path that leads to loss, whether in this life or the next. God is not unfair – he gave Pharaoh plenty of chances – but in the end he will allow us to experience the consequences of our choices.

Thankfully, God has made a choice available to us that is perfect – Jesus. So, let’s choose Jesus. Let’s choose him today and every day, in every moment, and let’s enjoy the wonderful consequences of choosing the life Jesus brings us that we could never have earned for ourselves.

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NEWBOLD COMMUNITY CHURCH