Bible Pathway - Jan. 20, 2010
Highlights In Today's Reading:
Plagues of frogs, lice, flies, death of cattle, boils, hail, locusts, and the utter darkness. If you think these eight plagues are bad wait until you see what happens in tomorrow's reading.
Verses for Today:
And Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them. . . . and he did not let the people go (Ex. 8:19; 9:7).Moses had faithfully proclaimed the message of God to Pharaoh, telling him to permit the Israelites to leave Egypt. But on each occasion, Pharaoh's heart had become more hardened as he stubbornly refused to yield to the will of God. Up to this time, God had said that the hardening of Pharaoh's heart was caused by his own unwillingness to do what God had commanded. Now, it is stated: And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had spoken unto Moses (9:12).
On the next occasion, the confirmation that God had hardened Pharaoh's heart is even more emphatic. The word I is expressed in no uncertain terms (10:1).
Just as Pharaoh refused to obey the message of God, many people today stubbornly ignore the call of God to repent. The god of this world has blinded them so that they wrongly assume that they can get right with God on their own terms, or wait for some more convenient time, or they're good enough, or ????
But since the days of Noah, God has said: My Spirit shall not always strive with man (Gen. 6:3). No one ever comes to Christ on his own terms. Jesus said: No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him (John 6:44). There will come a time when the Spirit no longer will plead but will only judge.
A person is equally mistaken when they say they will live for Jesus later in life and refuse to give up control of their present way of living. But there will come a day when the time for repentance will be past. God alone decides how long He will be insulted (Jer. 7:16). Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation (II Cor. 6:2).
All sin is rebellion against God. Oh, how seldom the unsaved realize the danger of making excuses to justify their sins. They always lead to self-deception and destruction!
To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts (Heb. 3:15).
Thought for Today:
Serve the Lord with gladness. . . . For the Lord is good (Ps. 100:2,5).
Christ Revealed:
As The Light of the world in contrast to a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt . . . but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings (Ex. 10:22-23). Jesus said: I am The Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness (John 8:12).
Word Studies:
8:3 kneadingtroughs =mixing vessels; 8:9 Glory over me: when shall I intreat for thee =the honor is yours to tell me when I am to pray for you; 8:19 finger of God =act of God; 8:22 sever =wonderfully separate; 8:26 not meet =not proper; 9:20 feared the Word of the Lord =terrified by the threat of God; 9:28 Intreat =pray fervently; 9:31 bolled =ripening; 10:7 be a snare =ontinue to be a menace.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in honor of Joshua Belisle's salvation • Staff: George Kopchak • Government Official: Rep. Shelley Berkley (NV) • Country: Syria (17 million) in southwestern Asia • Major languages: Arabic and Kurdish • Limited religious freedom for Christians • 90% Muslim; 4% Eastern Orthodox; 2% Roman Catholic; .25% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Trust in the Lord and wait upon Him in your prayers, for He will hear you (Mic. 7:7).
Optional Reading: Matthew 20
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 23:5
