Scripture to Read: Exodus 9:1–7
God continued His plagues on Egypt, and as He did, Pharaoh continued to harden his heart. We have discussed this already, but, as a reminder, God did harden Pharaoh’s heart, and Pharaoh hardened his own heart. It was not one or the other, but it was both. God warns us, “Do not harden your hearts” in Hebrews 3:8—so, we know it’s possible to harden our own hearts. A hardened heart blinds us to be able to understand God’s Truth (Mark 6:52, 8:17–18); it can cause us to resist and disobey God. This was Pharaoh’s issue, for he believed himself to be a god. So, Pharaoh did what was right in his own eyes (Proverbs 12:15, 21:2). Pharaoh was already hardened and rebellious before Moses ever showed up (Exodus 3:19–20). Pharaoh continued to dig in his heels and God reinforced that direction (Romans 1:18–32). So, God sent Moses to tell Pharaoh about the fifth plague. The fifth plague was a severe pestilence on all of the livestock, horses, donkeys, camels, herds, and flocks. But again, God made “a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that nothing will die of all that belongs to the sons of Israel” (Exodus 9:4). God proved again that He is all-powerful and that He alone is in charge of His entire creation. Then, we read in Exodus 9:7, “But the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.” Humbling ourselves daily under God’s mighty hand is the only correct choice.
Challenge & Application
· What did God teach you about a hardened heart and how a heart can become hardened?
· How do you humble yourself under God’s mighty hand each day and serve Him alone?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!