Daily Thought

Many plagues had tormented the Egyptians as Pharoah constantly refused to bend to the will of God - flies, frogs, the river turned to blood. Next God told Moses to stretch his rod toward heaven and He would send thunder, hail, and fire to smite all who did not fear the Lord. This was a ‘very grievous’ plague, v. 18. Men and animals died, all the crops were destroyed, and all the trees were broken, except of course in Goshen where the Israelites dwelt. How amazing to see the power of God at work in the elements of nature and how glad we are that we are preserved from such calamities. Yet, we must pray for those who are so stricken and often lose all, as but for the grace of God so would we.

Pharoah sent for Moses and Aaron and confessed his own and his people’s wickedness. He promised that if the hail and thunder stopped the people could go to worship God. Moses was sceptical of this turn of events, anticipating the usual faithlessness of Pharoah once the pressure was off. However, he promised he would intreat the Lord, and that as soon as he lifted up his hands to the Lord the hail and thunder would cease. When he did so, the hail and thunder stopped immediately. Predictably, however, Pharoah changed his mind and hardened his heart against the Lord.

There are interesting lessons here. The king and his people were suffering, and deservedly so, but there was apparent contrition. Though we may be suspicious of people’s motives, we should still pray for them and their circumstances. Though we may feel they are unreliable and selfcentred, they should be on our prayer list.

So, Moses, in keeping with God’s went out of the city and spread his hands abroad unto the Lord, and the plague was stayed. Here was a public demonstration of the power of God; here a declaration that Moses spoke for Him; here an act of mercy towards suffering Egyptians who were not directly involved, as well as to the one who was, Pharoah himself.

Once again Pharoah reneged. Nonetheless, through Moses’ prayer many had been blessed, God had been shown to be in control, the position of Moses and Aaron had been strengthened, and the people of God reassured. Let us pray in difficult circumstances and, even if the desired end is not achieved, many will be blessed, not least ourselves.