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Scripture: So Moses said, "This is what the LORD says: 'About midnight I will go throughout Egypt. Every firstborn son in Egypt will die, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the firstborn son of the slave girl, who is at her hand mill, and all the firstborn of the cattle as well. Exodus 11:4-5
Observation: The final plague is upon Egypt, that of the death of the firstborn son. I've seen many critics of the Bible (and of God) use this passage to paint a horribly malicious picture of Him, but I see it differently. This is not a new thing; God warns of the death of the firstborn in Exodus 4:23; in fact it is the first plague He gives warning for. Now Scripture doesn't recount where Moses goes and delivers this preliminary warning to Pharaoh, but I'm going to assume he did since there is no account of Moses disobeying God and God correcting him. God gives the consequence for disobedience - the death of the firstborn of Egypt - and yet He gives the Egyptians ten opportunities to repent and obey before bringing such a consequence upon them.
Application: If we were to see a family out in public with a misbehaving child, and the mother threatened punishment if the child didn't stop, then went on to give the child 10 chances to straighten up before inflicting said punishment, we might call her "soft" or "weak" or call the child "spoiled". We wouldn't understand why a parent would let their child get away with so much. And yet here God offers Egypt 10 chances, yet the world shows Him as a monster because of His judgment. On the contrary, I see Him as extremely merciful. He's dealing with an idolatrous, stubborn, wicked people (with a leader who set himself against God in all way, shapes, and forms). And yet He dealt with them with more grace and mercy than most of us would extend to our own disobedient children.
I'm encouraged by this by how good of a God we serve. How can anyone question His grace, mercy, and goodness? Can this be any better demonstrated than in the work of Jesus on the cross? We weren't even His children and yet He died for us, only so that we may be reconciled to Him again. Romans 5:10: "For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!" If someone can find a better portrait of love than that, I'd like to see it.
I've debated with several atheists who focus only on the punishment: how can I serve a God that would send me to hell just because I refuse to believe in Him? All punishments look bad if you only focus on the punishment itself. Even an act as simple as forcing a child to sit in a time out chair could look cruel in another's eyes if they didn't know all the facts. Our society has become so focused on pleasing itself; it has no concept of holiness anymore. My heart breaks for the atheists (Pharaoh Jrs, if you will) who adamantly deny God and His existence, and curse Him because of their "supposed" final destination. And I just want to know, what is so hard about obedience? That's all it takes, especially here in the situation in Exodus. Can you blame a teacher for your bad grade when you refuse to do the work? Can you blame your parents for grounding you when you directly disobey their instructions? Can you blame God for the direction your life will take if you willfully reject Him?
Prayer: Lord I thank You for Your neverending mercies. Thank You for the work of finality that You did on the cross. Thank You that we don't have to worry about using up all our chances anymore, that Your grace is neverending. Lord how unworthy I am in that I still walk in disobedience daily, and yet You always take me back. I pray Lord that my heart and my walk would be pleasing to You. I pray for those who reject and curse You. Lord, move in their lives so that they may know You and be released from the bondage of despair and bitterness. Teach them the joy that comes with serving You, that it isn't self-denial and a life of no fun but a life of abundance. I pray God you would intercede in their lives before it's too late. Be patient with them as You were with the Egyptians, and as You are still today with me. Thank You for Your goodness, Lord.
Friday, August 1, 2008
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2 comments:
Rachel, you are so right. I think that most people today blameshift. Everything is always somebody else's fault. But we need to take responsibility for our own actions and choices, even when it's hard.
Also, I agree that all punishments look bad when you just look at the punishment itself. As Christian parents it is so hard to have to explain why we do what we do to discipline and correct our children. But our parenting should be a reflection of Christ's perfect love for us, and that includes consequences for our actions.
I saw that I'm on your blogroll. Thanks! I'll add you to mine, too.
Both sides of this conversation are interesting. God demonstrates His patient mercy and his plan. Both to Pharaoh and the Jews.
You see, if Moses could have gone in and said "Let My people go" and they would have left, would the Israelites have seen the power of their God?
I think a lot of what people object to is that God said He "hardened Pharaoh's heart" and yet we see the opportunities that were given.
There's a big difference here in perspective: God's and ours. With that in mind, it should serve as a reminder to us that though God wants to do mighty works through us, if we keep rejecting Him we will not always have the opportunity.
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