Justice Comes
Opening Prayer
Pray for world leaders: for the wisdom to rule justly and well; and especially for the leaders of this nation.
Read Exodus 11:1-10
[1] Now the LORD had said to Moses, “I will bring one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. After that, he will let you go from here, and when he does, he will drive you out completely. [2] Tell the people that men and women alike are to ask their neighbors for articles of silver and gold.” [3] (The LORD made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and Moses himself was highly regarded in Egypt by Pharaoh’s officials and by the people.) [4] So Moses said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘About midnight I will go throughout Egypt. [5] 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. [6] There will be loud wailing throughout Egypt-worse than there has ever been or ever will be again. [7] 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. [8] All these officials of yours will come to me, bowing down before me and saying, ‘Go, you and all the people who follow you!’ After that I will leave.” Then Moses, hot with anger, left Pharaoh. [9] The LORD had said to Moses, “Pharaoh will refuse to listen to you-so that my wonders may be multiplied in Egypt.” [10] Moses and Aaron performed all these wonders before Pharaoh, but the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let the Israelites go out of his country. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How was the fate of Pharaoh and his people sealed again?For Pharaoh to banish Moses from his sight when he couldn’t see him is ironic. For Pharaoh to claim the right to life and death over Moses is laughable (10:28). Rejecting Pharaoh’s authority, Moses announces judgment on all Egypt. Earlier judgments were reversed, or had consequences that could be reversed or lessened, when Pharaoh repented. This judgment is irreversible. All Egypt is guilty of the ruthless oppression of the Israelites and infanticide of their male children, so judgment will fall upon all Egypt. Every family and home will be affected. This is a terrible judgment. Moses’ manner as he takes his leave (8) suggests his distress at having to proclaim it and deep anger at Pharaoh’s stubborn pride. Yet Pharaoh has had many chances to accept God’s authority. More than this, Egypt has been guilty of genocide and the most ruthless, violent oppression. This is a terrible judgment, but given the crimes, perhaps it can be said to be a just and measured one. Egypt and Pharaoh’s crimes were appalling, but judgment is still tempered with mercy: each family and each herd will suffer loss, but none will lose so much that it cannot recover.
Apply
Thank God now that his justice is always perfect and that every victim can find peace in that justice.
Closing prayer
Great God, I thank You that, indeed, You are a just God whose justice is always perfect. I trust in that.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.