Eleven times, God instructs Moses and Aaron to go before Pharaoh and ask to let his people go. The question though, is why eleven? God could've easily killed Pharaoh or his son the the second time, even the third.
But why so many chances? So many chances to listen to the voice of God. So many chances to obey the Lord -- He is clearly in charge. So many chances to repent and worship.
And he said, “Tomorrow.” Moses said, “Be it as you say, so that you may know that there is no one like the LORD our God. (Exodus 8:10 ESV)
This phrase, "that you may know" is repeated so many times throughout the story. God actively reveals Himself to all people.
Some listen. And others harden their hearts.
This story is comforting, especially when thinking about people who do not have a relationship with God.
But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth. (Exodus 9:16 ESV)
Because God pursues us. God pursues us relentlessly. He desires that His name be exalted. He gives us second chances.
It is also comforting because it reminds me that many people who do not know God have actively chosen to resist Him, despite all the signs and the evidence. Like Pharaoh it is not a matter of knowing God, but a matter of God's Will vs. My Will. A great battle in which you alone can decide who wins.
Choosing God's Will means infinitely more joy, more peace, and more love than you can even imagine.
((Exodus 7-9))
My husband and I are also reading through Exodus for our nightly devotion together. The question that came up last night was when we read Chapter 10 was: Why did the Lord himself decide to harden Pharaoh's heart during the last few plagues? I think this blog post answers that question amazingly... It also reminds me of my favorite verse that I learned last summer when God was pursuing me.
ReplyDeleteIn Exodus 6:2-3 (especially verse 3): "And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name Jehovah was I not known to them."
Before last summer, I can't say that I had that 'personal' relationship with God that I should have had. I knew Him as "God", of course; Jesus, the son of God, and Holy Spirit -- our comforter and guide. I knew Him only as what I was taught to know him as. What other people knew Him as. But I myself, I didn't know Him personally. I didn't know Him as Jehovah or Lord of my life. That is why that scripture spoke to me so deeply. God wanted the people of Israel to know Him as Lord of their lives, and He wanted the same for me. I literally bawled after the Holy Spirit revealed this to me!
**ha! Sorry for the super long comment. **
Amen, Amen, Amen! You're my kind of Bible study girl: Asking questions like "Why eleven?" =D
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