Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 7:1-7.
“1 Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I make you as God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. 2 You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall speak to Pharaoh that he let the sons of Israel go out of his land. 3 But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart that I may multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt. 4 When Pharaoh does not listen to you, then I will lay My hand on Egypt and bring out My hosts, My people the sons of Israel, from the land of Egypt by great judgments. 5 The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the sons of Israel from their midst.” 6 So Moses and Aaron did it; as the Lord commanded them, thus they did. 7 Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three, when they spoke to Pharaoh.” Exodus 7:1-7.
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Egyptians did see God’s signs and wonders and knew that God is “the LORD”, but that knowledge alone did not necessarily save them. We may see God’s signs and wonders and know that God is “the LORD”, but that knowledge alone will not necessarily save us. ” And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” The Egyptians believed that God existed but did not believe (and rightfully so) that God was going to reward them.
Israel was delivered out of the bondage of Egypt, but that delivery alone did not necessarily save them. We may be delivered out of our troubles, but that delivery alone will not necessarily save us. “But as for Israel He says, “All the day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.” Romans 10:21.
In the bookends to the verse in Romans 9 which describes the purpose for God raising up Pharaoh, God emphasizes His “Unconditional Election” of those whom He chooses to save. “15 For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth.” 18 So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.” Romans 9:15-18.
In Psalm 105 which specifically describes God’s signs and wonders and much more of God’s history with dealing with Israel, the source and focus of these signs and wonders is God’s covenant with His chosen ones.
“5 Remember His wonders which He has done,
His marvels and the judgments uttered by His mouth,
6 O seed of Abraham, His servant,
O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones!
7 He is the Lord our God;
His judgments are in all the earth.
8 He has remembered His covenant forever,
The word which He commanded to a thousand generations,
9 The covenant which He made with Abraham,
And His oath to Isaac.” Psalm 105:5-9.
In summary, we would do well to both seek to know God’s wonderful deeds represented by the first line of the concluding verse and seek to receive God’s favor represented by the next line of the concluding verse.
“Seek the Lord and His strength;
Seek His face continually.” Psalm 105:4.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 