God Makes A Distinction
So Moses said, "This is what the LORD says: 'About midnight I will go throughout Egypt. Every firstborn son in Egypt will die, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the firstborn son of the female slave, who is at her hand mill, and all the firstborn of the cattle as well.
There will be loud wailing throughout Egypt -- worse than there has ever been or ever will be again. But among the Israelites not a dog will bark at any person or animal.' Then you will know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel. All these officials of yours will come to me, bowing down before me and saying, 'Go, you and all the people who follow you!' . . . Then Moses, hot with anger, left Pharaoh.
The LORD had said to Moses, "Pharaoh will refuse to listen to you -- so that my wonders may be multiplied in Egypt." . . . the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let the Israelites go out of his country. Exodus 11:4-10
There will be loud wailing throughout Egypt -- worse than there has ever been or ever will be again. But among the Israelites not a dog will bark at any person or animal.' Then you will know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel. All these officials of yours will come to me, bowing down before me and saying, 'Go, you and all the people who follow you!' . . . Then Moses, hot with anger, left Pharaoh.
The LORD had said to Moses, "Pharaoh will refuse to listen to you -- so that my wonders may be multiplied in Egypt." . . . the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let the Israelites go out of his country. Exodus 11:4-10
If only we could have a glimpse of the divine plan a little ahead of time before it fully unfolds. Sometimes, God will intimate to us what is ahead. In His compassion and concern for our humanity, He gives us a little glimpse of what to expect so that we would not be utterly discouraged and give up. He might give us a warning about the challenges ahead. But other times He would remain completely silent because He expects us to trust His plan and leadership. Moses was fortunate. God told him to expect stiff resistance from Pharaoh.
I believe there were two lessons God wanted Moses to learn:
First, God said to Moses that Pharaoh's heart would be hardened in spite of all the miracles Moses would be performing. But there was a divine agenda behind it all: "Pharaoh will refuse to listen to you so that my wonders may be multiplied in Egypt."
As you wonder about the fierce resistance to the manifestation of the promises of God in your life, don't lose sight of that lesson. It could well be that God is allowing things to get to a seemingly impossible level so that you will see the manifestation of His power in an even greater manner. He might well be wanting to multiply His wonders in your situation.
Second, God said to Moses, "Then you will know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel." God will always protect His own even in the midst of divine judgment. Be assured that God will not leave you vulnerable. Amidst all the challenges and seeming destruction around us, God has distinctly set you apart with divine protection.
God makes a distinction between His own and those who do not belong to Him.
Don't be afraid. You have already been set apart with divine protection. Your life is marked with divine distinction.
I believe there were two lessons God wanted Moses to learn:
First, God said to Moses that Pharaoh's heart would be hardened in spite of all the miracles Moses would be performing. But there was a divine agenda behind it all: "Pharaoh will refuse to listen to you so that my wonders may be multiplied in Egypt."
As you wonder about the fierce resistance to the manifestation of the promises of God in your life, don't lose sight of that lesson. It could well be that God is allowing things to get to a seemingly impossible level so that you will see the manifestation of His power in an even greater manner. He might well be wanting to multiply His wonders in your situation.
Second, God said to Moses, "Then you will know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel." God will always protect His own even in the midst of divine judgment. Be assured that God will not leave you vulnerable. Amidst all the challenges and seeming destruction around us, God has distinctly set you apart with divine protection.
God makes a distinction between His own and those who do not belong to Him.
Don't be afraid. You have already been set apart with divine protection. Your life is marked with divine distinction.
Prayer: Father, I thank you for the assurance that the intensified challenges are meant to result in an even greater manifestation of your power in my life. Thank you also for making a distinction in my life with your divine protection. Amen.