Practical lessons from the ten plagues

1. Remorse is different from repentance.

There is a pattern that we see in Pharoah’s life. Every time there was suffering because he had not been true to his word, we find that he was sorry. But when the suffering was removed, he went back on his word. The pain of the moment causes a person to seek relief however once the pain is alleviated and the sting is not as great, they return to business as usual with no real repentance. This was Pharoah’s lot, and this is the lot of many people as well.

2. There is a limit to what Satan can do.

Satan often tries to mimic what God does. The Bible says that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. This was true in Egypt as well. The magicians tried to replicate the miracles of God and it seemed to work for a little while, until God raised the bar. So we need to be careful. Not all supernatural events are from God.

3. Our obedience should be “just as the Lord commanded.”

God had commanded Moses and Aaron to go before Pharaoh. “Then Moses and Aaron did so; just as the Lord commanded them, so they did” (Exod. 7:6). Partial obedience is not true obedience. We must obey just as we have been instructed.

4. God takes care of his people.

With the fourth plague (the flies) God specifically excluded the land of Goshen (where his people lived) so that they did not suffer like the wicked Egyptians (Exod. 8:22). God takes care of his people. He made a distinction between those who were his people and those who weren’t.

5. An unresponsive heart gets hardened.

After the first plague Pharaoh’s heart was not moved (Exod. 7:23). The verse before says his heart grew hard (v. 22). When one will not allow his heart to be moved by the message of God, his heart becomes harder. With each rejection it gets harder and harder until the gospel no longer can prick the heart (Acts 2:37).

6. It is foolish to put off for tomorrow what needs to be done today.

Moses told Pharaoh to pick the time he wanted to frogs removed (v. 9). Pharaoh said, “Tomorrow” (v. 10). In essence he said, “I want to spend one more night with the frogs.” It may sound strange, but many people put off following Christ in obedience for another day. Though God is ready to forgive, they are saying, “I’d rather have the frogs.”

7. Stubbornness has consequences.

Pharaoh’s stubbornness led to the destruction of his land, his people, his power, and himself. One who will not swallow his pride and submit to the Lord in obedience is stubborn. Stubbornness has consequences.

Application Questions:

Think about idols in your own life or in our culture. What are they? How have they impacted your relationship with God? What “gods” have you turned to for security and help neglecting the sovereign Lord? How do you think God would respond to you about idols in your life? In what areas is it hard for you to do what God asks?

Quote:

A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them. - John C. Maxwell

Prayer:

Lord, I pray that I will not be stubborn like Pharaoh and face your judgement, but willing to obey immediately. Help me not to put it off for tomorrow, but even today turn to you in repentance and faith. Amen