11.06.07 – RE:ading: Exodus 9:8-35

RE:flect

Can you see the power encounter here? A land where there are many gods. I don’t claim to know all about Ra, Isis, and the other Egyptian gods. But what I do know is that each of these plagues is a “fight between the gods” for the God of Heaven (like a gang fight). And the gang of gods in Egypt is being slaughtered by the God of the Hebrews. How you feel if you have grown up worshiping the Nile River as a god and then it is turned to blood?

And it is in these moments that we understand many of the true Christian principles and actions of God. “ I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” (Ex. 9:16). Most would long to be told such a thing by God. But wait! He is saying this to who? Pharaoh? Many of us get caught up in this debate of “predestination” (or pre-determinism) – that God has planned out all before you were born, we are not the ones who direct history. Now, let me today ask you to consider one thing. Is this a salvation thing here? So much of the back and forth, the debates, event the splits in churches are over a simple thing (or maybe I am simple).

Pharaoh was predestined for something. But it isn’t salvation here. FIVE TIMES Moses makes it a point that Pharaoh (and his officials—his advisers) hardened their hearts towards God and the Hebrews… actually my study Bible says in the book of Exodus Pharaoh hardens his heart 9 times and God is mentioned has hardening it also 9 other times. Interesting, I think. God “gave him over” to his choice. God was allowing the full consequences of their stubbornness to become known.

So when you consider this predestination stuff… ask yourself: “does predestination have to do with repentance and salvation… or does it have to do with tasks, events and acts of God?” Pharaoh is raised up here to display God’s power (raised up = probably the most powerful country in the world…). God has allowed this country to become great so that their fall can be seen by all the earth.

RE:act

What have you seen so far in your life. Are their moments of predestination, of destiny, or many of us call them “divine encounters” – seeing a long lost friends at an airport in Denver and striking up a myspace connect that helps them find faith in Christ and a nearby church? Look, I don’t claim to know it all. And certainly will not make this false assumption that my explanation here is enough to end the debate - -but we should be concerned more with the plans that God has for his church (and those involved in it) that he has already predetermined would happen (ie: you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth.—Acts 1:8).

RE:ply

Lord, you hold the destiny of everyone in your hands.

Lord, I willfully place my obedience in you. Use me. Plan for me events, times, seasons and moments that I can serve to bring you glory and to see how those who are seeking you, and those who are against you, can also bring you glory—whether they enjoy you or not.

Lord, thank you for your promises and your desire to even destroy all the thoughts that are set up against the God of heaven and earth—help me to take hold of every thought, philosophy and presumption that is set against you.

Lord, help me to restore, or destroy – I am yours. Use me.

“ The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they [our weapons] have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish all arguments and every pretension to make it obedient to Christ.” ( II Corinthians 10:4-5)