Scripture: Exodus 7:1-7 (NRSV)
The Lord said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of his land. But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and I will multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. When Pharaoh does not listen to you, I will lay my hand upon Egypt and bring my people the Israelites, company by company, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out from among them.” Moses and Aaron did so; they did just as the Lord commanded them. Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three when they spoke to Pharaoh.
Context
Moses has finally given in to God’s directive for him to bring God’s people out of Egypt. (Exodus 3:10). Moses had attempted every possible excuse, but God prevailed. His older brother, Aaron, has been designated spokesman, and the two of them make their way to the court of Pharaoh.
Their initial efforts to persuade Pharaoh to let the people go are notably unsuccessful, with the people being increasingly mistreated and the tension rising higher.
Beginning in the seventh chapter, the Lord is making ready to increase the pressure on Pharaoh through multiplied signs and wonders throughout Egypt. This will be expressed through the plagues, eventually culminating in the “death of the firstborn.”
Reflection Questions
- Why do our efforts to help others sometimes seem to result in things getting worse?
- How do we maintain our integrity and faithfulness when the pressure to give up and give in to circumstances becomes overwhelming?
- How do we interpret “signs and wonders” that adversely affect others?
Prayer
Lord, help us to remain faithful in our commitment to you, even when the pressures around us and within us seem more than we can bear. Amen.
July 8, 2009 at 7:18 pm |
I can hardly wait to hear the sermon talking about the modern day “signs and wonders”