Exodus 6:26
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “bring forth the Israelites from the land of Egypt, troop by troop.”
Anyone who has been in the military should recognize the command bring them forth ‘troop by troop’. This is a military command and the Lord uses it to emphasize the force with which God will deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. Moses was to speak to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt with full authority.
This is the point at which Moses reverts to his same ole whine of, “I am of impeded speech”, as if this will allow God to not expect him to speak to the King of Egypt.
God’s reply was, “See, I place you in the role of God to Pharaoh, with your brother as your prophet.” Or more clearly translated he says, “Your brother is your spokesperson”.
Saying Moses is standing in God’s stead becomes a real problem when we remember that Pharaoh and his people believe Pharaoh is a god. Next the Lord told Moses, “I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, that I may multiply My signs and marvels in the land of Egypt”.
Now because Moses knows that God will harden Pharaoh’s heart Moses does not have to chastise himself for Pharaoh’s lack of cooperation. We are now at the point where we will see the plagues God enacts. And since we all remember at least most of them, it seems a good spot to get a better understanding of them. There are actually three major purposes for the Ten Plagues. The first and most obvious reason is to force Pharaoh and the Egyptians to “Let God’s people go”!
The second reason for the plagues is to punish Pharaoh and the Egyptians for the terrible suffering they inflicted on the Israelites for over 400 years. We know the length of time they were in captivity because of the complete genealogy of the family.
Abraham left Haran, because of the promise of God at the age of 75.
Before he turned 85, God told Abraham his descendant’s will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and they will be servants there and be afflicted for 400 years.
At the age of 85 Abraham took Hagar as his wife and she conceived Ishmael.
At age 86, Ismael, Abraham’s first son is born. His second son Isaac is born when Abraham is 100.
When Abraham is 105 years Ishmael mocked Isaac.Then when Abraham is 140 years old Isaac married Rebekah.
Abraham was 160 when Esau and Jacob were born. Isaac was 60.
Abraham then died at the young age of 175. Jacob was 15 years old.
When Isaac was 151 years and Jacob was 91, Joseph is born.
Isaac died at 180 years old, Jacob is 120 and Joseph is 29.
Jacob dies at 147 years and Joseph is 56. Joseph dies at age 110.
Moses is born 64 years after Joseph dies.
When Moses is 80 he and his brother Aaron speak to Pharaoh which begins the exodus from Egypt.
All this adds up to the fact that they were in captivity In Egypt for four hundred and thirty years.
We know God is a God of Justice. Yes, He allowed His people to be captive for four hundred and thirty years because of disobedience, but now is the time for justice. It’s then we get to the third reason for the plagues; it was to demonstrate to the Israelites and to the Egyptians that God, not the gods of Egypt including Pharaoh, is the real God.
God allowed much suffering before he kept his promise. But we always have to remember trusting God includes trusting God’s timing. Patience is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit as seen in Galatians 5:22 God clearly is pleased when we exhibit patience.
We are told in Psalm 37:7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him for God is good to those who wait for Him. But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.
So remember when your patience is nearing its end that God operates according to His perfect schedule, not ours. We must always remember our timing is never God’s timing, and God’s timing is never early and it’s never late. Patience comes when we learn to trust God.
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