Exodus 8
The account of the plagues in Exodus is not funny, but two things struck me as humorous as I was reading it this morning. First, when Moses called down a plague of frogs, the magician's response was to copy him and bring MORE frogs on the land. Um, STOP HELPING. Wouldn't it be more miraculous (and practical) if they made the frogs all disappear? Second, when Moses asks Pharaoh to set the date for God to rid them of the plague of flies, Pharaoh says, "Tomorrow."
Why?
Why wouldn't he say, "Right this very minute!" or "ASAP, please!" By the way, the Amplified Bible refers to them as bloodsucking insects, while most translations say flies, to be clear, these are those big, nasty biting flies rather than annoying houseflies.
But in the humor, there's still this strand of truth about we humans. First, how often do I try to work in my power to emulate things that only God can do, and make things worse in the process? Only God can convict someone of sin, I'll be most effective praying for their heart to be softened to the Holy Spirit rather than trying to bring conviction myself. I might succeed in making someone feel guilty about something they've done, but that guilt only makes them feel bad, or more often, makes them defensive, more rebellious, and hardens their heart. 2 Corinthians 7:10 sums it up this way, "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death."
Second, how often do I delay the relief and blessings of God by not obeying immediately? What am I waiting for? Why would I wait until tomorrow for something God longs to give me now? God's Word is clear that "Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments!" Psalm 112:1.
Today, let us seek to trust God to do the things that only He can do and obey immediately what He calls us to do.
The account of the plagues in Exodus is not funny, but two things struck me as humorous as I was reading it this morning. First, when Moses called down a plague of frogs, the magician's response was to copy him and bring MORE frogs on the land. Um, STOP HELPING. Wouldn't it be more miraculous (and practical) if they made the frogs all disappear? Second, when Moses asks Pharaoh to set the date for God to rid them of the plague of flies, Pharaoh says, "Tomorrow."
Why?
Why wouldn't he say, "Right this very minute!" or "ASAP, please!" By the way, the Amplified Bible refers to them as bloodsucking insects, while most translations say flies, to be clear, these are those big, nasty biting flies rather than annoying houseflies.
But in the humor, there's still this strand of truth about we humans. First, how often do I try to work in my power to emulate things that only God can do, and make things worse in the process? Only God can convict someone of sin, I'll be most effective praying for their heart to be softened to the Holy Spirit rather than trying to bring conviction myself. I might succeed in making someone feel guilty about something they've done, but that guilt only makes them feel bad, or more often, makes them defensive, more rebellious, and hardens their heart. 2 Corinthians 7:10 sums it up this way, "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death."
Second, how often do I delay the relief and blessings of God by not obeying immediately? What am I waiting for? Why would I wait until tomorrow for something God longs to give me now? God's Word is clear that "Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments!" Psalm 112:1.
Today, let us seek to trust God to do the things that only He can do and obey immediately what He calls us to do.
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