As I read Exodus 8, I can’t help but imagine how awful the plagues of frogs, gnats and flies would be as they overtake every space where the people are. How could anyone work or think or not be driven to distraction? The magicians could replicate the frogs but what help was that? Who needed more frogs? The gnats, however, they couldn’t replicate and were just as plagued as everyone else. They told Pharaoh This is the finger of God. v. 19. Pharaoh’s heart was hardened just as God told Moses it would be. Now, however, a curious change. Pharaoh said, “I will let you go to offer sacrifices to the Lord your God in the wilderness, but you must not go very far. Now pray for me.” v. 28.

Pharaoh was in a battle for control. He was ruler. He and his people worshipped many gods. Yet, here he is confronted with God who can bring plagues upon him and his people…so they could be freed…and none of his gods did that. How many people believe in gods who are violent and punish with impunity? Did Pharaoh think one of these gods of his was now turning on him? Was it because Moses and Aaron were bringing word of God that Pharaoh couldn’t accept Him? I keep trying to put myself in his mindset to understand what he thought. In doing that, I can’t help but think about the times my heart is hardened. When my heart is hardened I feel bruised and wounded. I go to God for forgiveness and tell Him how sorry I am when my thoughts are bombarded with fiery darts of doubt. I repent. His love washes over me and restores me to where I already am…forgiven. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:8-10.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Ephesians 6:10. It takes the Lord’s mighty power to overcome the doubts and worries that arise daily. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm, then with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:13-17. I love that…the word of God – truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation.

Pharaoh didn’t have any of those things. He didn’t know God. He hardened his heart in resistance to the reality of what God was actively doing and he and his people suffered. God begins to make a difference with the plague of flies. “But on that day I will deal differently with the land of Goshen, where my people live; no swarms of flies will be there, so that you will know that I, the Lord, am in this land. I will make a distinction between my people and your people. This sign will occur tomorrow.” v. 22-23.

God was working powerfully in Egypt to free His people from slavery in Egypt. Pharaoh hardened his heart repeatedly and he and his people suffered misery and devastation. What enslaves us? They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” John 8:33-34. I don’t know about you, but I suffer when I sin. I am wounded by my own sins and by the sins of others. Just as God worked to free His people from their physical enslavement in Egypt, He is working to save all of us, His people, from our enslavement to sin. The Scriptures are filled with God’s promises of His love. We have the end of the story. Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ (Isaiah 25:8) or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:1-4.

Pharaoh couldn’t have conceived of taking the hand of one of his gods and learning from it. He had a part to play in God’s plan for all of us and I can’t help but think I have a lot to learn about my hardened heart from Pharaoh’s experiences. So I look back to his time and learn. But I never take my eyes away from God who patiently loves and teaches us how to live loved. Thank You, Lord, for healing my wounded heart.