The Victorious God
The story of Exodus is a war between the Lord and the Egyptians gods.
God reminds Moses of who he is and what he has done.
The promises of God:
To deliver and redeem them from slavery. To take them into a special relationship as his own people. To bring them to the promised land. To give them the promised land
The Plan & Purpose of God
Exodus 6:9-7:7
Moses told this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their broken spirit and hard labor.10 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, 11 “Go and tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the Israelites go from his land.” 12 But Moses said in the Lord’s presence, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, then how will Pharaoh listen to me, since I am such a poor speaker?” 13 Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron and gave them commands concerning both the Israelites and Pharaoh king of Egypt to bring the Israelites out of the land of Egypt…
7:2 “You must say whatever I command you; then Aaron your brother must declare it to Pharaoh so that he will let the Israelites go from his land. 3 But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart and multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. 4 Pharaoh will not listen to you, but I will put my hand into Egypt and bring the military divisions of my people the Israelites out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. 5 The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the Israelites from among them.” 6 So Moses and Aaron did this; they did just as the Lord commanded them. 7 Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three when they spoke to Pharaoh.
The Hebrew people refused to listen to the message from God because of their heart and their situation.
Hebrews 4:7
Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.
Exodus 6:10-13
Then the Lord spoke to Moses, 11 “Go and tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the Israelites go from his land.” 12 But Moses said in the Lord’s presence, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, then how will Pharaoh listen to me, since I am such a poor speaker?” 13 Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron and gave them commands concerning both the Israelites and Pharaoh king of Egypt to bring the Israelites out of the land of Egypt…
This is a repetition of the burning bush encounter in Exodus 3-4.
Exodus 4:11
The Lord said to him, “Who placed a mouth on humans? Who makes a person mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go! I will help you speak and I will teach you what to say.”
Remember God had a purpose and a plan and it would happen in his perfect timing.
Even the genealogy points us to the plan of God that has been prepared for generations.
Exodus 7:3-5
But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart and multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. 4 Pharaoh will not listen to you, but I will put my hand into Egypt and bring the military divisions of my people the Israelites out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. 5 The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the Israelites from among them.
The plan of God was to do great signs and wonders in Egypt, and bring his people out of Egyptian slavery.
A hardened heart is one that hears the Word of God, sees the evidence of God, yet still refuses to accept his Word or submit to his will. It is resisting God and being disobedient to God.
Pharaoh was given a choice to listen God or not, to obey to God or not, to submit to God or not. Because his/Pharaoh’s heart was unwilling to listen and obey the Lord, it was hardened by the Lord. God used Pharaoh’s hardened heart and disobedience as an opportunity to show his glory and his authority over the gods of Egypt. The plan of God has a great purpose: so that they will know that he is the Lord.
Exodus 7:5
The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the Israelites from among them.
*mission statement
Jeremiah 13:11
…”so I fastened the whole house of Israel and of Judah to me”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“so that they might be my people for my fame, praise, and glory…”
Psalm 67:1-2
May God be gracious to us and bless us; may he make his face shine upon us 2 so that your way may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.
Philippians2:9-11
For this reason God highly exalted him/Jesus and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow — in heaven and on earth and under the earth — 11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
1 Corinthians 10:31
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.
Isaiah 43:1-7
Now this is what the Lord says – the one who created you, Jacob, and the one who formed you, Israel — “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine… For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, and your Savior. I have given Egypt as a ransom for you, Cush and Seba in your place. Because you are precious in my sight and honored, and I love you, I will give people in exchange for you and nations instead of your life. Do not fear, for I am with you… everyone who bears my name and is created for my glory. I have formed them; indeed, I have made them.”
Our passage ends with Moses and Aaron being obedient!
Exodus 7:6-7
So Moses and Aaron did this; they did just as the Lord commanded them. 7 Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three when they spoke to Pharaoh.
Prayer for Soma in 2021
Father, help us to see you clearly, trust you fully, seek you diligently, obey you completely, and reject all idolatry as we worship you alone.
Isaiah 26:8
Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.
We obey the Lord because His glory is the desire of our hearts.