"Do you not realize that Egypt is ruined?" [Exodus 10:7]
What does it take for a man to sacrifice economic good to honor God? A question for our times. Yes, I know there is the heart-hardening thing. Much has been made over it. But Pharaoh's heart was hard before the Lord hardened it. [Exodus 8:19 and 8:32 come before Exodus 9:12]
Just think of the economic upheaval and potential ruin that letting the workforce of the enslaved Israelite nation just walk away. Pharaoh knows this. One of his first responses to Moses is "Look, the people of the land are now numerous, and you are stopping them from working." [Exodus 5:5]
It will take the total economic destruction of Egypt for Pharaoh to let go. They lose their livestock, the crops and everything green are destroyed by hail and locust and then a good deal of their workforce disappears with the death of the firstborn and the death of the soldiers in the sea. The Children of Israel even walk out of Egypt with gold given to them by the Egyptians.
The ruin and devastation of this great kingdom must have been incredible. But that's what it took -- for man to stop listening to money and start listening to God. What does it take for us to let go of the economic and hold on to God?
Make of it what you will. [If you wonder about that ongoing refrain of mine -- Make of it what you will. It comes from the book Peace Like a River. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it.]
Bloggers Note: On this date, twenty-two years ago I took on the most awesome responsibility and joy in any man's life when I became the father of my first child and only daughter. It has and continues to be the greatest accomplishment, honor, gift and promise in my life. Martina, happy birthday, I love you.
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