Sermon #31                                                Exodus Series

 

     Title:          Lessons from the Wonders

     Text:          Exodus 3:19-20

     Subject:     Lessons from the Plagues in Egypt

     Date:          Tuesday Evening — December 12, 2006

     Tape #       Exodus #31

     Readings:  Bob Poncer and Larry Brown

     Introduction:

 

Two weeks ago I preached to you about ÒGodÕs Wonders in the Land of Ham,Ó showing you how the plagues our God brought upon the Egyptians portrayed his distinguishing grace upon his elect. Tonight I want us to look at Exodus 3:19-20 and the ten plagues again. Tonight I want to show you a few more Lessons from the Wonders.

 

(Exodus 3:19-20) ÒAnd I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand. (20) And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go.Ó

 

Remember, those things that were plagues upon the Egyptians were wonders of grace wrought in the land of Ham for the deliverance of GodÕs people (Psalm 105:23-27).

 

(Psalms 105:23-27) ÒIsrael also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham. (24) And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies. (25) He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtly with his servants. (26) He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen. (27) They showed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham

 

It is the natural tendency of men to look upon things like earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes and tsunamis as terrible, freak accidents, that have no explanation. Even believers are sometimes lulled into such thinking. When terrorists attack us, or nations make war against us, our immediate response is to retaliate against the enemy. And such retaliation by a nation is both demanded and just.

 

But, if anyone dares suggest that the hand of God is in such things, he is looked upon as a religious crack-pot and denounced as a bigot. — Why? Because the whole world prefers not to hear God speak. The whole world prefers deny GodÕs existence. I grant that most everyone acknowledges GodÕs being, and tips his head toward deity of some kind. But to deny that God rules all things, that he has his way in all things is really manÕs way of denying that God is. It is manÕs attempt to silence the voice of God in his conscience.

 

Let us ever pray for grace that we may listen for and hear GodÕs voice in all things: in his Word, in the preaching of the gospel, and in providence.

 

Divine Providence

 

Perhaps you are thinking, ÒBro. Don, what does all that have to do with the plagues in Egypt?Ó IÕm glad you asked. Let me give you a homework assignment. Sometime tonight or tomorrow, while this message is still fresh on your mind, read the Book of Revelation. Begin in chapter 5, where the Lord Jesus takes the seven-sealed book of divine predestination, and begins to open the seals of the book, and read through chapter 19. Those seven seals do not refer to seven imaginary dispensations. They refer to the whole, perfect complete purpose of God. The opening of those seals by the Lord Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, is the accomplishment of GodÕs eternal purpose of predestination in providence (Revelation 10:1-2).

 

(Revelation 10:1-2) ÒAnd I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: (2) And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,Ó

 

As we come to Revelation 10, six trumpets have sounded and the seventh, final trumpet is about to sound. Just before John sees the final, consummate judgment of God fall upon the earth, the Lord Jesus Christ appears with one last word of warning. He stood Òupon the sea and upon the earth (and) lifted up his hand to heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever and ever,Ó (Because he could sware by no greater, he swore by himself!), Òthat there should be time no longerÓ (v. 6).

 

It is as though the Lord is saying, ÒNo more delay! Prepare to meet thy God!Ó If you read chapters 8-11 at one sitting, you cannot fail to see that chapter 10 is an abrupt interruption of events. It is almost parenthetical. It stands as both a word of warning to GodÕs enemies of the certainty of divine judgment, and a word of comfort to GodÕs elect for it portrays and assures us of the providential rule of Christ. What could be more comforting than the fact that he who loved us from eternity, died to redeem us at Calvary, and saves us by his almighty grace, sovereignly rules all things according to GodÕs eternal purpose for us? This is the picture we have before us in GodÕs Òwonders in the land of Ham.Ó.

 

Speaks in Judgment

 

God speaks in acts of judgment as well as in acts of mercy. He speaks both to warn his enemies and to comfort his people. The wonders he performed in the land of Ham, the plagues he wrought in Egypt, were both acts of judgment to warn his enemies and acts of mercy to comfort his people. And there is a distinct parallel between those ten plagues and the opening of the seals portrayed in the Book of Revelation.

 

I am often asked, ÒWhat does it take to save a sinner?Ó The answer is clearly given in the Scriptures. It takesÉ

á      Divine Election

á      ChristÕs Blood Atonement

á      The Holy SpiritÕs Regeneration

á      Faith in Christ

á      Preservation by Grace

á      All Things (Romans 8:28-31).

 

(Romans 8:28-31) ÒAnd we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (29) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (30) Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (31) What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?Ó

 

Typical Picture

 

GodÕs dealings with Egypt and Israel in the Book of Exodus were typical. They portrayed both divine judgment upon the ungodly and the salvation of GodÕs elect by his out-stretched arm of omnipotent grace. The Egyptians represent all the reprobate of the world. They represent the world (the political world, the economic world, the civil world, the educational world, the scientific world, and the religious world) that is ever opposed to God and opposed to his people.

 

The Angel who spoke to Moses, he who came down to deliver Israel out of Egypt is Òthe God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of JacobÓ (v. 6), the great ÒI AMÓ (v. 14), the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. — This Angel of the Lord is the pre-incarnate Christ (Isaiah 63:9; see also Malachi 3:1; Revelation 20:1).

 

GodÕs chosen people Israel were languishing in Egyptian bondage (3:7). The Lord Jesus here sends Moses to deliver them (3:8-10). He knew the Egyptian Pharaoh would refuse to let his people go (3:19). So he told Moses, ÒI will stretch out my hand and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in its midst thereof: and after that he will let you goÓ (3:20).

 

The Plagues

 

The ÒwondersÓ the Lord Jesus determined to perform in the land of Ham were the ten plagues with which he afflicted the Egyptians in chapters 7-12.

1. Waters were turned to blood (7:14-25).

2. Frogs covered the land (8:1-15).

3. Lice plagued people and beasts (8:16-19).

4. Swarms of flies covered the land (8:20-32).

5. A pestilence smote livestock (9:1-7).

6. Boils broke out on people and beasts (9:8-12).

7. Hail and fire struck people and livestock, and destroyed vegetation (9:13-35).

8. Hoards of locusts devoured vegetation (10:1-20).

9. Deep darkness covered the land (10:21-29).

10. The firstborn of people and livestock were slain (11:1-12:50; Psalm 78:43-51; 105:26-36.)

 

These ten plagues teach us much about our Lord Jesus Christ and his sovereign providence. They typified the his work among the nations today in providence, as set forth in the Book of Revelation under seven seals (5:9-8:1-6), seven trumpets (8:7-9:21 and 11:15-19), and seven vials (15:1-19:8).

á      The opening of the seven seals portrays the work of our sovereign Christ in providence throughout history, as the world constantly persecutes his people.

á      The trumpet judgments are set before us as God calling people who deserve his wrath to repentance.

á      The vial judgments portray our Savior dispensing his wrath upon a world that will not hear his voice, hardening its heart against him, and refusing to repent.

 

The judgments portrayed in JohnÕs vision are not to be viewed as successive prophetic events, but as parallel events of providence, occurring throughout history, from the first advent of Christ until his second coming. The seals, the trumpets, and the vials were all typified in the wonders God performed in the land of Ham, among those cursed people whom he made servants to his chosen. Let me show you.

 

Plagues and Seals

 

In the ten plagues, as in the seven seals of Revelation, the Lord Jesus Christ Òwent out conquering and to conquerÓ the world (Revelation 6:1-8:1). In Revelation 6, as in the Book of Exodus and throughout both Scripture and history, we see the world described as a world hell-bent on the slaughter of GodÕs saints. But our blessed Savior is a mighty man of war who declares, ÒI will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.Ó

á      As the Egyptians slaughtered the slaughtered the Israelite babies (Exodus 1:8-22), the world ever persecutes and murders GodÕs people.

á      As the Egyptians imposed great economic hardships on Israel, forcing them into slavery and requiring the Jews to provide straw to make bricks for them, so the world ever imposes hardships upon GodÕs people, seeking to enslave the church of God to its philosophies, customs, and obscenities.

But, even in such opposition, our blessed Savior is riding forth in all the majesty of divine sovereignty, Òconquering and to conquer,Ó as our mighty Savior (Exodus 15:1-13).

 

(Exodus 15:1-13) ÒThen sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. (2) The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my fatherÕs God, and I will exalt him. (3) The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. (4) PharaohÕs chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. (5) The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. (6) Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. (7) And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble. (8) And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea. (9) The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. (10) Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters. (11) Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? (12) Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. (13) Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.Ó

 

No Harm Done

 

Not only does our Lord Jesus assure us that he avenge the blood of his saints shed (Revelation 6:9-11), he assures us that his chosen shall not be harmed by all that men do and that his elect will not be harmed by all the judgments he pours out upon the wicked (Psalm 91).

 

(Psalms 91) ÒHe that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (2) I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. (3) Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. (4) He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. (5) Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; (6) Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. (7) A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. (8) Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. (9) Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; (10) There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. (11) For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. (12) They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. (13) Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. (14) Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. (15) He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. (16) With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.Ó

 

It is written, ÒThere shall no evil happen to the justÓ (Proverbs 12:21). Does that mean that none of GodÕs elect are killed or even physically harmed by what we call Ònatural disasters,Ó persecution, sickness, or terrorism? Of course not. What it does mean is this: — Not even the most terrible things that occur in the world can harm even one of GodÕs chosen.

 

Revelation 7

 

Did you never notice that in the Book of Revelation, as John sees the opening of the seals, just as he is about to see the trumpet judgments, his vision is interrupted by another sight? What a glorious revelation it is! — John said, I saw an Òangel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of IsraelÓ (Revelation 7:2-4). What a glorious interruption! GodÕs elect are sealed by him! But really, that is not an interruption. Everything going on around that vision is the way he is sealing and saving his Israel!

 

Our all-glorious Christ has prepared his awesome deeds against the nations (Revelation 8:1-6), just as he prepared his plagues against the Egyptians; but the plagues and awesome deed he has prepared for the wicked he performs for the salvation of his chosen (Isaiah 45:5-9).

 

(Isaiah 45:5-9) ÒI am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: (6) That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. (7) I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. (8) Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it. (9) Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?Ó

 

Trumpets and Vials

 

The seven trumpets and the seven vials of Revelation were also typified by the ten plagues upon Egypt.

á      The earth is stricken with hail and fire which destroy vegetation (Revelation 8:7), and with sores which afflict that part of mankind worshiping the beast (Revelation 16:2), just as Egypt was (Exodus 9:1-25).

á      The sea is stricken with death, turning it to blood (Revelation 8:8; 16:3), just as the Nile was turned to blood and death (Exodus 7:20-21).

á      The heavens are stricken with darkness (Revelation 8:12), God turning light to darkness (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12), just darkness covered Egypt for three days covered Egypt, while the light shined still in Goshen (Exodus 10:21-23; 2 Thessalonians 2:11-14).

 

(2 Thessalonians 2:11-14) ÒAnd for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: (12) That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (13) But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: (14) Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.Ó

 

á      The wicked are afflicted with locusts (Revelation 9:1-4) and with darkness and pain (Revelation 16:10), just as the Egyptians were (Exodus 8-10), turning everything that had been their pleasure to a bitter curse; but there was not pain, or bitterness, or curse in Goshen.

 

á      As the firstborn in every house of the Egyptians was slain (Exodus 12:29), so we are told that the Lord God our Savior commands his angels to kill Òthe third part of menÓ dwelling on the earth (Revelation 9:13-19).

 

á      Yet, still, even after the slaughter of their firstborn, neither Pharaoh nor the Egyptians repented, but hardened their hearts the more, so it is today. — Wrath and judgment never produce repentance (Revelation 9:20-21).

 

(Revelation 9:20-21) ÒAnd the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: (21) Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.Ó

 

The End

 

In the end, the announcement is made that ÒThe kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his ChristÓ (Revelation 11:15-19). At last we read, ÒIt is doneÓ (Revelation 16:17-21), and the saints of God the redeemed and saved out of all the earth bring forth singing the song of Moses and of the Lamb (Exodus 15:1-21; Revelation 15:1-3; 19:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28).

 

(Revelation 15:1-3) ÒAnd I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. (2) And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. (3) And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.Ó

 

(Revelation 19:1-6) ÒAnd after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: (2) For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. (3) And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. (4) And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. (5) And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. (6) And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.Ó

 

(1 Corinthians 15:24-28) ÒThen cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. (25) For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. (26) The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. (27) For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. (28) And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.Ó

 

The Lessons

 

What are we to learn from these things? Why are they written in the Book of God? The Spirit of God tells us (1 Corinthians 10:11; Romans 15:4).

 

(1 Corinthians 10:11) ÒNow all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.Ó

 

(Romans 15:4) ÒFor whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.Ó

 

The plagues God brought upon the Egyptians, the wonders he is performing today in this land of Ham, are intended to teach us

 

1. The Lord Jesus Christ, our God and Savior, is the God of gods (Deuteronomy 10:17; Joshua 22:22; Psalm 136:2; Daniel 2:47; 11:36).

 

(Psalms 136:1-4) ÒO give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. (2) O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. (3) O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. (4) To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.Ó

 

The plagues performed in Egypt were, our Savior said, executed Òagainst all the gods of Egypt (Exodus 12:12). — ÒAlso on their gods the LORD had executed judgmentÓ (Numbers 33:4). Egypt was a land of such great idolatry that throughout their dark land ignorant men worshiped the sun, the Nile River, cows, sheep, goats, cats, dogs, jackals, lions, hippopotami, apes, birds, and frogs. As Elijah mocked the dung gods of Baal on Mt. Carmel, so the Lord God mocked and humiliated the gods of the Egyptians by the plagues, and he mocks and humiliates the gods of the nations in the salvation of his people (Psalm 115:3-8).

 

(Psalms 115:3-8) ÒBut our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. (4) Their idols are silver and gold, the work of menÕs hands. (5) They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: (6) They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: (7) They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. (8) They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.Ó

 

2. Our great God and Savior afflicts and even sacrifices men and nations upon the altar of his love for his elect (Proverbs 11:8; 21:18; Isaiah 43:1-7). — Distinguishing grace is displayed everywhere!

 

(Proverbs 11:8) ÒThe righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.Ó

 

(Proverbs 21:18) ÒThe wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.Ó

 

(Isaiah 43:1-7) ÒBut now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. (2) When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. (3) For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. (4) Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. (5) Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; (6) I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; (7) Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.Ó

 

3. Antichrists and false prophets, like PharaohÕs sorcerers, (Jannes and Jambres) will not thwart, or even slightly impede, but shall only serve to accomplish the purpose of our great God and Savior (2 Timothy 3:1-9; 1 Corinthians 11:19).

 

(2 Timothy 3:1-9) ÒThis know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (6) For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, (7) Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (8) Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. (9) But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.Ó

 

(1 Corinthians 11:19) ÒFor there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.Ó

 

4. ÒSalvation is of the Lord.Ó Our great God and Savior, by every act of providential judgment warns sinners of judgment to come and gives them Òspace to repentÓ (Revelation 2:21); but the heart of man is only hardened, until he is regenerated by God the Holy Spirit granted repentance by the goodness of God (Romans 2:4).

 

The ten plagues inflicted upon Egypt teach us that Christ does use his plagues to convince men of their sinfulness and his own righteousness (Psalm 107). Many will, in times of dread and fear, cry like Pharaoh, ÒI have sinnedÉ the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked (Exodus 9:27); but, instead of repenting unto salvation, only harden their hearts to greater condemnation, as Pharaoh did (Exodus 7:22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7, 34, 35).

 

O sinner, does that describe you? How often have you said, ÒI have sinned. God is righteous. If he sends me to hell, he will be right. I deserve his wrath,Ó only to harden your heart the more? The Lord God says, ÒAs I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?Ó (Ezekiel 33:11). But it will take something more than judgment, even something more than preaching to bring you to repentance. It will take the revelation of Christ in you (Zechariah 12:10; 2 Corinthians 4:4-6).

 

(Zechariah 12:10) ÒAnd I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.Ó

 

(2 Corinthians 4:4-6) ÒIn whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (5) For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for JesusÕ sake. (6) For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.Ó

 

O Spirit of God, come! Blow upon these dead and reveal Christ in them, that they might live!

 

The ten plagues Christ inflicted upon Egypt teach us that Christ is merciful to His own people even in times of trouble. Some of the plagues were experienced by the Israelites also. But having promised Pharaoh ÒI will make a difference between My people and your peopleÓ (Exodus 8:23), He mercifully spared Israel from the worst of the plagues: those of flies (8:22f), disease of livestock (9:4-7), hail (9:26), darkness (10:23), and death of the firstborn (11:7; 12:13).

 

5. GodÕs wonders in the land of Ham, the ten plagues he performed in Egypt, declare in bold capital letters ÒAll Israel shall be saved!Ó The Lord God almighty will save all his elect.

á      He will save all his chosen.

á      He will save his chosen through the instrumentality he has ordained. — By the Prophets he sends.

á      There is no need and no excuse for compromise. Compromise never accomplishes anything, but compromise.

 

Pharaoh repeatedly offered Moses a compromise. But each time, in strict obedience to GodÕs word, Moses refused to alter GodÕs message (Exodus 10:24-26).

 

(Exodus 10:24-26) ÒAnd Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you. (25) And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God. (26) Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve the LORD our God; and we know not with what we must serve the LORD, until we come thither.Ó

 

And when Israel went out of Egypt, there was not so much as a hoof left behind (Exodus 12:40-42).

 

(Exodus 12:40-42) ÒNow the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. (41) And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. (42) It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.Ó

 

The Lord God has sworn, ÒI am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgmentsÓ (Exodus 6:6). — He has promised, ÒBehold, I will save my peopleÓ (Zechariah 8:7); and save them he shall, Òby a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyesÓ (Deuteronomy 4:34).

 

Amen.