Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 9:1-7.

“1 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and speak to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, “Let My people go, that they may serve Me. 2 For if you refuse to let them go and continue to hold them, 3 behold, the hand of the Lord will come with a very severe pestilence on your livestock which are in the field, on the horses, on the donkeys, on the camels, on the herds, and on the flocks. 4 But the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that nothing will die of all that belongs to the sons of Israel.”’” 5 The Lord set a definite time, saying, “Tomorrow the Lord will do this thing in the land.” 6 So the Lord did this thing on the next day, and all the livestock of Egypt died; but of the livestock of the sons of Israel, not one died. 7 Pharaoh sent, and behold, there was not even one of the livestock of Israel dead. But the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.”  Exodus 9:1-7.

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Today’s Scripture presents the distinction that God made between Israel and Egypt. Likewise, later we read: “But against any of the sons of Israel a dog will not even bark, whether against man or beast, that you may understand how the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.’” Exodus 11:7.

This distinction is more generally described as the distinction between Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews).

But, there is hope!

After Paul reminded Gentiles of this distinction, Paul described the hope that Gentiles have through Christ: “remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.” Ephesians 2:12-15.

Peter also testified that God no longer made a distinction between Jews and Gentiles. “And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.” Acts 15:8-9.

Paul stated: “… for there is no distinction; for all (Jews and Gentiles) have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. …” Romans 3:22-25.

“For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek (Gentile); for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:12-13.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 8:25-32. The next devotion, God willing, will be November 4, 2013.

“25 Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron and said, “Go, sacrifice to your God within the land.” 26 But Moses said, “It is not right to do so, for we will sacrifice to the Lord our God what is an abomination to the Egyptians. If we sacrifice what is an abomination to the Egyptians before their eyes, will they not then stone us? 27 We must go a three days’ journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the Lord our God as He commands us.” 28 Pharaoh said, “I will let you go, that you may sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilderness; only you shall not go very far away. Make supplication for me.” 29 Then Moses said, “Behold, I am going out from you, and I shall make supplication to the Lord that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people tomorrow; only do not let Pharaoh deal deceitfully again in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the Lord.”

³⁰ So Moses went out from Pharaoh and made supplication to the Lord.  ³¹ The Lord did as Moses asked, and removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants and from his people; not one remained.  ³² But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and he did not let the people go.”  Exodus 8:25-32.

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We should not worship God only based on how others want us to worship God. We should not even worship God only based on how we ourselves want to worship God. In a nutshell, we “must” worship God “as He commands us” according to Scripture. Verse 27.

“9 Worship the Lord in holy attire;

Tremble before Him, all the earth.

10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns;

Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved;

He will judge the peoples with equity.” Psalm 96:9-10.

In the “About me” tag of my Reformed Doctrine web site, I disclose that I attended a wide variety of churches. However, I have come to the conclusion over a long time through a study of Reformed Doctrine, sometimes kicking and screaming against it, that first of all, our worship services should not be just about what suits our taste and preference, but our worship services should be, so to speak, what suits God’s taste and preference (or in the language of today’s Scripture “as He commands us”). Second, God is Holy and Almighty and deserves more of a reverential worship service, more of a worship service where we worship in “holy attire” and are more properly in awe of God. Third, God is perfect and deserves more of a perfect worship service, whatever that may be.

So, what does that worship service “look like” that suits God’s taste and preference, that is more reverential, and that is more perfect?

Although I have not read the book, With Reverence and Awe: Returning to the Basics of Reformed Worship by D. J. Hart and John R. Muether, I came across the following review of this book by Professor Robert D. Decker of the Protestant Reformed Churches which gives us some things to think about worship.

“… Not only in the sphere of what may be called “broadly evangelical churches,” but also among Presbyterian and Reformed denominations the contemporary church is plagued by “worship wars.” We hear of contemporary worship, seeker-sensitive worship services. There is a wide variety of worship styles among the churches. There’s even blended worship, which is an attempt to combine the new worship styles with the old, traditional worship. How did we get to this point, the authors ask? We are where we are because of a couple of false assumptions. One is that traditional worship is too somber and sober, too unemotional. We need to experience the joy of salvation in our worship. Another false assumption is that we need to attract the unconverted. Our worship must not make them feel uncomfortable.

The authors contend we need to get back to the basics of Reformed worship. We must begin with theology, because good theology must produce good worship. Defective theology yields inferior and inappropriate forms of worship. This is why the Westminster divines began with a Directory of the Public Worship of God!

Good theology is biblical theology, and biblical theology begins, continues, and ends with the sovereignty of God. Our worship, if it be biblical, will of necessity be theocentric. Proper worship will be in harmony with the sound doctrines of God’s Word, e.g., man’s total depravity and God’s sovereign and particular grace. Never will our worship be separated from the sound doctrine of God’s Word. It’s in this context that the authors make a point that ought to give the Reformed believer who leans in the direction of “seeker-sensitive worship” pause.

Ironically, however, there is a sense in which what we propose in this study is profoundly seeker-sensitive. We do not mean that we hope to please any browsers who might step into our sanctuaries on Sunday morning. Rather the seeker we intend to please is the one whom Scripture describes as the seeker of acceptable worship. In his conversation with the Samaritan woman, Jesus says that those who worship God in spirit and truth are the kind of worshiper “the Father seeks.”

John 4:23

This is the seeker-sensitivity that the Bible requires and that Reformed worship has traditionally pursued (p. 21).

The authors correctly point out that the church is eccleesia, i.e., called out. The church, as church, is called out of the world, separated from the world by God. Also and especially in her worship the church is separate from the world and in the fellowship of God. The world out of which the church is called into God’s fellowship is the world of unbelief and sin. As called out, the church is to be holy and, therefore, the church is against the world, antithetical to the world!

This truth has three implications for the church’s worship: 1) The wisdom and ways of the gospel will appear foolish to those who are enemies of God. 2) The contrast between the church and the world will be most obvious when the church is at worship. 3) True worship will be odd, and even weird, to the watching world (pp. 33, 34).

For this reason, the authors contend, the church must be unapologetic in her worship and must not cater to those bound to ridicule her ways as foolish (p. 34).

Christians cannot expect unbelievers to be comfortable in services of worship that are alien to the ways of the world. “User friendly” or “seeker-sensitive” worship is not an option for the people of God. In fact, worship that demonstrates the separateness of the church is what Machen called “merciful unkindness” because it testifies to the world of the hope that is within us. If the world mocks us, so be it. True worship is for the church, not for the world (p. 35).

The worship of the church is inseparably related to the purpose of the church. The purpose of the church is not:

1. to right the wrongs of society (nineteenth century liberalism’s “social gospel”).

2. the “Church Growth” movement, i.e., to grow in numbers by means of up-tempo music, choruses, dramatic skits, liturgical dance, etc.

3. merely to win converts.

The purpose of the church is to nurture disciples of Christ. Hence, worship involves preaching and sacraments. And the church must believe that God will indeed save “them that believe” by these means!

Further, the church is saved in order to worship God in the way of glorifying Him and enjoying Him. This is evident, the authors assert, from the marks of the church: pure preaching, proper observance of the sacraments, and exercise of discipline (Belgic Confession, Art. 29). These marks constitute proper worship. Also the third, inasmuch as preaching is the chief key of the kingdom of heaven (Heidelberg Catechism, Q. 84).

In the fourth chapter of the book the authors bemoan the fact that American Protestants no longer observe the Sabbath. This chapter is a must read. We, too, must “take heed lest we fall” regarding God’s holy day. It is fulfilled in Christ. The Sabbath is the Lord’s Day and is to be devoted to spiritual rest: the public worship of God, morning and evening!

In their defense of the “regulative principle,” the authors affirm that this principle is taught in the Westminster Standards, in the Heidelberg Catechism, and in the Belgic Confession. Calvin, too, held this principle. Hence, the regulative principle is not a Puritan invention. The authors present a fine defense of the regulative principle against its critics (cf. pp. 81-84).

The book stresses that worship is for the praise of God by His people. This praise of God takes place by the means of grace: preaching, sacraments, and prayer. By these means God enables His people to worship Him and receive in their worship His blessings as they grow in sanctification. All of this takes place corporately, in the communion of the saints in the church, and never apart from the church (cf. pp. 131-144).

In the tenth chapter the authors make a distinction between the “elements, circumstances, and forms” of worship. The elements that are commanded by God, from which we may not subtract and to which we may not add, are: reading and preaching the Word, sacraments, prayer, song, and collection. How often we sing is circumstance determined by the session/consistory. What we sing, psalms or hymns, is a form.

While in their discussion of “Song in Worship” (chapter 11) there is sharp, biblical criticism of “contemporary music,” as well as a bemoaning of the loss of Psalm singing and an advocating of frequent Psalm singing, the authors come short of advocating exclusive psalmody and of prohibiting choirs and special music.

There is an error on page 110, where the reference “Ephesians 4:12” ought to be Ephesians 4:11-12. The authors, however, are to be commended for their careful working with Scripture and the Presbyterian and Reformed confessions. The book is well documented, and its value is enhanced by a general index, a scripture index, and an index of the confessions.

Again, this is a good book. This reviewer has added it to the Select Bibliography of his class in Homiletics/Liturgics, and it will be required reading for his students in that class.”

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 8:20-24.

“20 Now the Lord said to Moses, “Rise early in the morning and present yourself before Pharaoh, as he comes out to the water, and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Let My people go, that they may serve Me. 21 For if you do not let My people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and on your servants and on your people and into your houses; and the houses of the Egyptians will be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground on which they dwell. 22 But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where My people are living, so that no swarms of flies will be there, in order that you may know that I, the Lord, am in the midst of the land. 23 I will put a division between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign will occur.”’” 24 Then the Lord did so. And there came great swarms of flies into the house of Pharaoh and the houses of his servants and the land was laid waste because of the swarms of flies in all the land of Egypt.” Exodus 8:20-24.

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In today’s Scripture, when we read the words that God “set apart” the land of Goshen and His people, we know that something special and good is going to happen. We want to find other times when God “set apart” something or someone or some people. “For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.” Romans 8:19.

“Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy; and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine.” Leviticus 20:26.

“At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to stand before the Lord to serve Him and to bless in His name until this day.” Deuteronomy 10:8.

“The sons of Amram were Aaron and Moses. And Aaron was set apart to sanctify him as most holy, he and his sons forever, to burn incense before the Lord, to minister to Him and to bless in His name forever.” 1 Chronicles 23:13.

“But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself; The Lord hears when I call to Him.” Psalm 4:3.

“While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Acts 13:2.

“But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.” Galatians 1:15-17.

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” 1 Peter 2:9.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 8:16-19.

“16 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, that it may become gnats through all the land of Egypt.’” 17 They did so; and Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff, and struck the dust of the earth, and there were gnats on man and beast. All the dust of the earth became gnats through all the land of Egypt. 18 The magicians tried with their secret arts to bring forth gnats, but they could not; so there were gnats on man and beast. 19 Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he did not listen to them, as the Lord had said.” Exodus 8:16-19.

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We should discern what God is doing (and has done) and give credit to God. Part of glorifying God is discerning what God is doing (and has done) and giving credit to God.

We start with creation. “God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. …” Genesis 1:31. With all the evidence of spectacular planets and stars held in perfect orbits, with amazing and colorful animals and plants with distinct features and functions, and with man created in the image of God, we should eagerly declare: “This is the finger of God.”

And yet, so many would prefer to give credit to unknown forces of nature (evolution). But, God is not dismissed. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” Romans 1:18-21.

We finish with salvation. “… God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:28-31. With all the evidence of “Total Depravity” (man’s inability to contribute anything to salvation) and all the evidence of God’s work within us, we should eagerly declare: “This is the finger of God.”

And yet, so many would prefer to give credit to their own works or their own alleged “free will”. But, God is not dismissed. “For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:26-31.

“For My own sake, for My own sake, I will act;

For how can My name be profaned?

And My glory I will not give to another.” Isaiah 48:11.

“This is the finger of God.” “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship the Lord in holy array.” Psalm 29:2.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 8:1-15.

“1 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Let My people go, that they may serve Me. 2 But if you refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite your whole territory with frogs. 3 The Nile will swarm with frogs, which will come up and go into your house and into your bedroom and on your bed, and into the houses of your servants and on your people, and into your ovens and into your kneading bowls. 4 So the frogs will come up on you and your people and all your servants.”’” 5 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your hand with your staff over the rivers, over the streams and over the pools, and make frogs come up on the land of Egypt.’” 6 So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt. 7 The magicians did the same with their secret arts, making frogs come up on the land of Egypt.

8 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron and said, “Entreat the Lord that He remove the frogs from me and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may sacrifice to the Lord.” 9 Moses said to Pharaoh, “The honor is yours to tell me: when shall I entreat for you and your servants and your people, that the frogs be destroyed from you and your houses, that they may be left only in the Nile?”

10 Then he said, “Tomorrow.” So he said, “May it be according to your word, that you may know that there is no one like the Lord our God. 11 The frogs will depart from you and your houses and your servants and your people; they will be left only in the Nile.” 12 Then Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh, and Moses cried to the Lord concerning the frogs which He had inflicted upon Pharaoh. 13 The Lord did according to the word of Moses, and the frogs died out of the houses, the courts, and the fields. 14 So they piled them in heaps, and the land became foul. 15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not listen to them, as the Lord had said.” Exodus 8:1-15.

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Here, in this third miracle about the frogs, we not only have the miracle of God causing the frogs to multiply and cover the land of Egypt, we also have the miracle of God causing the frogs to retreat and die out of the houses, the courts, and the fields.

“But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not listen to them, as the Lord had said.” Verse 15.

It is interesting to compare Pharoah with Job.

The wicked Pharoah thought he had relief, but the miracles against him were only beginning.

The righteous Job was tormented by both the afflictions that he was experiencing and the words of his friends, that seemed to never end, but in the end, Job did receive relief.

The wicked Pharoah hardened his heart despite receiving relief.

The righteous Job softened his heart despite receiving no relief for the longest time. Job said: “But it is still my consolation, And I rejoice in unsparing pain, That I have not denied the words of the Holy One.” Job 6:10.

In conclusion, the words of the following Psalm Chapter 94 console us that God will destroy the wicked and give relief to the righteous.

“1 O Lord, God of vengeance,

God of vengeance, shine forth!

2 Rise up, O Judge of the earth,

Render recompense to the proud.

3 How long shall the wicked, O Lord,

How long shall the wicked exult?

4 They pour forth words, they speak arrogantly;

All who do wickedness vaunt themselves.

5 They crush Your people, O Lord,

And afflict Your heritage.

6 They slay the widow and the stranger

And murder the orphans.

7 They have said, “The Lord does not see,

Nor does the God of Jacob pay heed.”

8 Pay heed, you senseless among the people;

And when will you understand, stupid ones?

9 He who planted the ear, does He not hear?

He who formed the eye, does He not see?

10 He who chastens the nations, will He not rebuke,

Even He who teaches man knowledge?

11 The Lord knows the thoughts of man,

That they are a mere breath.

12 Blessed is the man whom You chasten, O Lord,

And whom You teach out of Your law;

13 That You may grant him relief from the days of adversity,

Until a pit is dug for the wicked.

14 For the Lord will not abandon His people,

Nor will He forsake His inheritance.

15 For judgment will again be righteous,

And all the upright in heart will follow it.

16 Who will stand up for me against evildoers?

Who will take his stand for me against those who do wickedness?

17 If the Lord had not been my help,

My soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence.

18 If I should say, “My foot has slipped,”

Your lovingkindness, O Lord, will hold me up.

19 When my anxious thoughts multiply within me,

Your consolations delight my soul.

20 Can a throne of destruction be allied with You,

One which devises mischief by decree?

21 They band themselves together against the life of the righteous

And condemn the innocent to death.

22 But the Lord has been my stronghold,

And my God the rock of my refuge.

23 He has brought back their wickedness upon them

And will destroy them in their evil;

The Lord our God will destroy them.” Psalm Chapter 94.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 7:14-25.

“14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh’s heart is stubborn; he refuses to let the people go. 15 Go to Pharaoh in the morning as he is going out to the water, and station yourself to meet him on the bank of the Nile; and you shall take in your hand the staff that was turned into a serpent. 16 You shall say to him, ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, sent me to you, saying, “Let My people go, that they may serve Me in the wilderness. But behold, you have not listened until now.” 17 Thus says the Lord, “By this you shall know that I am the Lord: behold, I will strike the water that is in the Nile with the staff that is in my hand, and it will be turned to blood. 18 The fish that are in the Nile will die, and the Nile will become foul, and the Egyptians will find difficulty in drinking water from the Nile.”’” 19 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt, over their rivers, over their streams, and over their pools, and over all their reservoirs of water, that they may become blood; and there will be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood and in vessels of stone.’”

20 So Moses and Aaron did even as the Lord had commanded. And he lifted up the staff and struck the water that was in the Nile, in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants, and all the water that was in the Nile was turned to blood. 21 The fish that were in the Nile died, and the Nile became foul, so that the Egyptians could not drink water from the Nile. And the blood was through all the land of Egypt. 22 But the magicians of Egypt did the same with their secret arts; and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he did not listen to them, as the Lord had said. 23 Then Pharaoh turned and went into his house with no concern even for this. 24 So all the Egyptians dug around the Nile for water to drink, for they could not drink of the water of the Nile. 25 Seven days passed after the Lord had struck the Nile.” Exodus 7:14-25.

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There is a vast difference in the meaning and application of “blood throughout the land” for Egypt and for Israel.

For Egypt, the blood was a curse, making it difficult for the Egyptians to drink water.

For Israel, we will later see, the blood was a blessing, a means of salvation in two senses. First, the blood on the lintel and two doorposts was used in a later miracle to bring about the earthly exodus and delivery of Israel from the earthly bondage of Egypt. Secondly, and more importantly, the blood of Christ provided the means of spiritual salvation from the spiritual bondage of sin.

“For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to smite you.” Exodus 12:23. “By faith he (Moses) kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them. ” Hebrews 11:28.

Praise be to “… Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood—”. Revelation 1:5. “knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.” 1 Peter 1:18-19.

Today’s Scripture comes from Exodus 7:8-13.

“8 Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 9 “When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘Work a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.’” 10 So Moses and Aaron came to Pharaoh, and thus they did just as the Lord had commanded; and Aaron threw his staff down before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. 11 Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers, and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did the same with their secret arts. 12 For each one threw down his staff and they turned into serpents. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs. 13 Yet Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he did not listen to them, as the Lord had said.” Exodus 7:8-13.

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When we take time and study (listen) to this first miracle, we come across some amazing Scriptures about other people and things who were swallowed up.

We start with Pharoah himself. He could have remembered, from a study of Egyptian history, the dream of a prior Pharoah and its warning: “The thin ears swallowed up the seven plump and full ears. Then Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream.” Genesis 41:7. But, Pharoah’s heart was hardened, and he did not listen to Moses and Aaron nor reasonably appreciate this first miracle.

Just a short time later, Moses and the sons of Israel sang this following song to the Lord after the LORD delivered Israel through the Red Sea but then caused the Red Sea to swallow up Pharaoh and his entire army of chariots and horsemen who were pursuing Israel.

“11 “Who is like You among the gods, O Lord?

Who is like You, majestic in holiness,

Awesome in praises, working wonders?

12 “You stretched out Your right hand,

The earth swallowed them.” Exodus 15:11-12.

More generally, all of us should fear the LORD and His awesome power to swallow up the unrighteous in His wrath.

“8 Your hand will find out all your enemies;

Your right hand will find out those who hate you.

9 You will make them as a fiery oven in the time of your anger;

The Lord will swallow them up in His wrath,

And fire will devour them.” Psalm 21:7-8.

But, there is hope!

For the righteous, there is an entirely different meaning and application of being “swallowed up”.

When Jonah was drowning, God saved him. “And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights.” Jonah 1:17.

More generally, for the righteous, “He will swallow up death for all time, And the Lord God will wipe tears away from all faces, And He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth; For the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 25:8.

“But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:54.

“For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life.” 2 Corinthians 5:4.

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.

Today’s Scripture comes from Exodus 6:14-30 which covers the genealogy of Moses and Aaron starting with Levi. Levi was the father of Kohath. Kohath was the father of Amram. Amram was the father of Aaron and Moses. And, there is so much more detail about the descendants of Israel. Here is the link to this Scripture – http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+6&version=NASB

I quote the following verses.

“It was the same Aaron and Moses to whom the Lord said, “Bring out the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their hosts.” They were the ones who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt about bringing out the sons of Israel from Egypt; it was the same Moses and Aaron.

Now it came about on the day when the Lord spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt, that the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “I am the Lord; speak to Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I speak to you.” But Moses said before the Lord, “Behold, I am unskilled in speech; how then will Pharaoh listen to me?” Exodus 6:26-30.

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Like Moses, we may feel like God will need to “scratch his head” and try hard to figure out how to deal with our shortcomings to perform our mission. But, today’s Scripture reminds us how nothing passes God’s attention and control. God controls every detail of our lives and even every detail of the lives of our ancestors. God controls even “sideways” to the lives of our ancestors’ cousins.

God does not need to think linearly (like a line of thread) from Point A to Point B to Point C. God does not think: “OK, how can I get from Point A to get to Point B?” God does not react and wonder: “Oh, no, how am I going to deal with the fact that Moses is unskilled in speech?!”

God planned and controls the whole beautiful tapestry of history according to His good pleasure.

“Remember the former things long past,

For I am God, and there is no other;

I am God, and there is no one like Me,

Declaring the end from the beginning,

And from ancient times things which have not been done,

Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,

And I will accomplish all My good pleasure‘;

Calling a bird of prey from the east,

The man of My purpose from a far country.

Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.

I have planned it, surely I will do it.” Isaiah 46:9-11.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1. Can not the God Who created the heavens and the earth continue to control every detail?! Of course.

Man may worry and be anxious and want freedom from God’s control, but God stays firmly in control.

“2 The kings of the earth take their stand

And the rulers take counsel together

Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,

3 “Let us tear their fetters apart

And cast away their cords from us!”

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs,

The Lord scoffs at them.

5 Then He will speak to them in His anger

And terrify them in His fury, saying,

6 “But as for Me, I have installed My King

Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

7 “I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord:

He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,

Today I have begotten You.

8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance,

And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.

9 ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron,

You shall shatter them like earthenware.’” Psalm 2:2-9.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 6:1-13.

“1 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh; for under compulsion he will let them go, and under compulsion he will drive them out of his land.”

2 God spoke further to Moses and said to him, “I am the Lord; 3 and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name, Lord, I did not make Myself known to them. 4 I also established My covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they sojourned. 5 Furthermore I have heard the groaning of the sons of Israel, because the Egyptians are holding them in bondage, and I have remembered My covenant. 6 Say, therefore, to the sons of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage. I will also redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. 7 Then I will take you for My people, and I will be your God; and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 8 I will bring you to the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I will give it to you for a possession; I am the Lord.’” 9 So Moses spoke thus to the sons of Israel, but they did not listen to Moses on account of their despondency and cruel bondage.

10 Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 11 “Go, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the sons of Israel go out of his land.” 12 But Moses spoke before the Lord, saying, “Behold, the sons of Israel have not listened to me; how then will Pharaoh listen to me, for I am unskilled in speech?” 13 Then the Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron, and gave them a charge to the sons of Israel and to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt.” Exodus 6:1-13.

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God promised what He would do, and God underscored His ability to do so by declaring four times: “I am the Lord“.

“So Moses spoke thus to the sons of Israel, but they did not listen to Moses on account of their despondency and cruel bondage.” Verse 9.

We too can get so focused on ourselves, our situation, and our feelings that we do not look to God and listen to Him.

It will help us to remember that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10.

If we take our eyes off ourselves and focus on the LORD, then it is a start to wisdom and understanding. We will then become inclined to believe what God has promised to do.

We believe that God is not only “the LORD”, “Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth” Who can do what He promised to do; we believe that God is also our “faithful Father” Who will do the good that He promised to do for us, His children.

Question 26. What believest thou when thou sayest, “I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth”?

Answer. That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (who of nothing made heaven and earth, with all that is in them; who likewise upholds and governs the same by his eternal counsel and providence) is for the sake of Christ his Son, my God and my Father; on whom I rely so entirely, that I have no doubt, but he will provide me with all things necessary for soul and body: and further, that he will make whatever evils he sends upon me, in this valley of tears turn out to my advantage; for he is able to do it, being Almighty God, and willing, being a faithful Father.

Question 27. What dost thou mean by the providence of God?

Answer. The almighty and everywhere present power of God; whereby, as it were by his hand, he upholds and governs heaven, earth, and all creatures; so that herbs and grass, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, meat and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, yea, and all things come, not by chance, but by his fatherly hand.

Question 28. What advantage is it to us to know that God has created, and by his providence doth still uphold all things?

Answer. That we may be patient in adversity; thankful in prosperity; and that in all things, which may hereafter befall us, we place our firm trust in our faithful God and Father, that nothing shall separate us from his love; since all creatures are so in his hand, that without his will they cannot so much as move. Heidelberg Catechism.