Through ExodusShembull

The Plagues

The plagues, are they a punishment on Egypt for denying the Israelites their deliverance? Or was it to prove to the Israelites they were special and God was concerned about them? Or is it both. Our God is a God of justice. When the Israelites were oppressed He was concerned about them and He brought them deliverance. 

In today's world of fast foods and services at the click of a button we expect God to also act fast and in a manner we want Him to!  If I was an Israelite living in those days I would have wanted God to do the last plague first or in rather someway just destroy the oppressors from the phase of the earth. God did not do that and I see a reason for it. 

Through the plagues I see God’s grace and mercy on the Egyptians who chose, not to acknowledge the God of the Israelites. Aren’t we guilty of that many times in our lives? We choose to reject God and what He says. God gave the Egyptians nine chances to protect themselves but they rejected God and his signs. They rejected God when finally God had to touch something they valued, their firstborns. Firstborns are the heirs. 

From this passage we can see that God is just, gracious and merciful.  Just because the Egyptians were unfair to the Israelites and the cry of the Israelites reached God and He brought about justice. He was gracious and merciful as He gave opportunities for being fair. It’s the same yardstick God uses for the Israelites. We see it throughout the Bible.  In fact more was expected from the Israelites as they did see what God could do if they turned against God.