Exodus 7
Warning Pharaoh is not going to listenverses 1-5
And the LORD
said to Moses
See – I have made you a god to Pharaoh
and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet
You shall speak all that I command you
and Aaron your brother shall speak to Pharaoh
that he send the children of Israel out of his land
And I will HARDEN Pharaoh’s heart
and multiply MY SIGNS and MY WONDERS in the
land of Egypt
BUT Pharaoh shall not hearken to you
that I may lay my hand on Egypt
and bring forth MINE armies
and MY people the children of Israel
out of the land of Egypt
by great judgment
And the Egyptians shall KNOW that I am the LORD
when I stretch forth MIND hand on Egypt
and bring out the children of Israel from among them
Age of Moses and Aaron revealedverses 6-7
And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded them
so they did
And Moses was fourscore years old [80]
and Aaron was fourscore and three years old [83]
when they spoke to Pharaoh
Pharaoh rejects sign of rod of Godverses 8-13
And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron – saying
When Pharaoh shall speak to you
saying
Show a MIRACLE for you
then you shall say to Aaron
Take your rod – and cast it before Pharaoh
and it shall become a SERPENT
And Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh
and they did so as the LORD had commanded
and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh
and before his servants
and it became a SERPENT
THEN Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers
now the magicians of Egypt
they also did in like manner
with their enchantments
FOR they cast down every man his rod
and they became SERPENTS
BUT Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods
And HE HARDENED Pharaoh’s heart
that he hearkened not to them
AS the LORD had said
LORD warns Pharaohverses 14-18
And the LORD said to Moses
Pharaoh’s heart is HARDENED
he refuses to let the people go
Get you to Pharaoh in the morning – lo
he goes out to the water
and you shall stand by the river’s brink
against he come
and the rod which was turned to a SERPENT
shall you take in your hand
And you shall say to him
The LORD God of the Hebrews
has sent me unto you
saying
Let MY people go – that they may serve ME
in the wilderness and
behold hitherto you would not hear
Thus says the LORD
In this you shall KNOW that I am the LORD
BEHOLD – I will smite with the rod that is in mine
hand on the waters which are in the river
and they shall be turned to BLOOD
And the fish that is in the river shall die
and the river shall stink
and the Egyptians shall loathe
to drink of the water of the river
LORD commands use of rod of Godverses 19-21
And the LORD spoke to Moses
say to Aaron
Take your rod – and stretch out your hand on
the waters of Egypt and on their streams
rivers – ponds
and on all their pools of water
that they may become BLOOD
And that there may be BLOOD throughout all the land of Egypt
both in vessels of wood – and in vessels of stone
And Moses and Aaron did so – as the LORD commanded
and he lifted up his rod
and smote the waters that were in the river
in the sight of Pharaoh
and in the sight of his servants
and all the waters that were in the river were
turned to BLOOD
and the fish that was in the river died – and the river stank
and the Egyptians could not drink of the
water of the river
and there was BLOOD throughout all the land of Egypt
Magicians of Pharaoh turn water into bloodverses 22-25
And the MAGICIANS of Egypt did so with their enchantments
and Pharaoh’s heart was HARDENED
neither did he hearken to them
AS the LORD had said
And Pharaoh turned and went into his house
neither did he set his heart to this also
And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink
FOR they could not drink of the water of the river
And SEVEN days were fulfilled
after that the LORD had smitten the river
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 3 And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt. (7185 “harden” [qashah] means make stiff, make stubborn, difficult, heavy, unyielding, fierce, or obstinate)
DEVOTION: One thing that needs to be remembered is that God never causes a person to sin. Their own sin nature causes them to sin. Every human being is born with a sin nature. He doesn’t sin because God made him do it. He sins because it is his nature to sin.
Here we find that God is involved in making the heart of Pharaoh hard or stubborn. Pharaoh has chosen a path to follow before Moses comes to him a second time. God knew before HE sent Moses that Pharaoh was a very stubborn man. HE was just going to allow him to continue to be stubborn about the children of Israel leaving Egypt.
Today we find many people that we know being not willing to listen to the message of salvation. We approach them many times in different ways to show that God has provided salvation for them but they will not make a decision to follow Jesus. They are stubborn. They are happy in their sinful ways. They think they don’t need Jesus or religion or they think that they are just as good as other people and God won’t send them to hell for eternity.
Pharaoh wanted the service of the Israelites. He didn’t want to let them go because then the Egyptians would have to do all the hard work that was necessary to build up Egypt.
There are people in power today who don’t want to yield to the LORD because they want to do what they want when they want to with no one including God interfering with the life.
One day all those who have be stubborn in their rejection of Jesus Christ are going to stand before HIM to be judged by their actions. Jesus is going to play back their memory to show all the times they rejected HIM and HIS message. They will be without excuse!!!
CHALLENGE: If you are part of the group who think they are good with God because you compare yourself to others you are in for a big surprise at the Great White Throne Judgment that is coming.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 5 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth MINE hand on Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them. (5186 “stretch forth” [natah] means spread, lengthen, to bend down, to thrust or extend out, to elongate, overspread, or to bow down low)
DEVOTION: God has a purpose in everything that HE does here on this earth. HE doesn’t act without a plan. HE made the plan before the foundation of the world. HE knew what was going to happen before it happened. HE is never and never will be surprised by what takes place on this earth.
HIS plan at this point in history is to teach the Egyptians that their false gods were powerless against HIS power. They could imitate HIS signs for a while but in the end they realized that HE was Sovereign over even the land of Egypt and their people.
God wants the whole world to know who HE is and what HE can do. The Israelites were the ones HE used to show this power in the Old Testament. In the New Testament HE uses the church which is made up of those who genuinely have chosen to follow HIM.
There are many places called “church” but that is not where God is. HE is only in individuals who gather together that are genuine followers of HIM and they make up the “church.” It is only when these types of believers gather that the meeting can be called a place where Jesus Christ is present.
Many building have people in them who are not true followers of Jesus Christ and the world calls these places the church but they just don’t understand the meaning of the people of God.
The Israelites were the people of God in the Old Testament and wherever they were God was present. Sometimes HE was present in judgment and other times like here HE was present as their deliverer.
CHALLENGE: We need for the LORD to be present as deliverer today. This will only happen when true believers gather for prayer to allow the LORD to give them a revival which will bring deliverance.
: 9 When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Show, a miracle for you: then you shall say unto Aaron, Take your rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent. (4159 “miracle” [mopheth] means a token or omen, symbol, sign, or wonder)
DEVOTION: Have you ever thought that it would be good to have proof that God is real? Have you ever prayed for a miracle in your life to prove HIS existence? Pharaoh didn’t think that the God of the Hebrews was very strong. Pharaoh had men who could do things that Moses and Aaron could do. He wanted something that would really amaze him.
The LORD promised Moses and Aaron that HE was going to do signs and wonders that would not only amaze Pharaoh but all the Egyptians. HE told Moses and Aaron that Pharaoh would beg the children of Israel to leave Egypt before HE was done.
Pharaoh wanted the LORD to show him some sign of HIS strength. He didn’t know that Satan is a good counterfeiter. Pharaoh wanted proof that Jehovah existed. The only proof he would accept is a sign that overcame nature.
Moses showed him two signs in this chapter and he still didn’t believe in Jehovah.
First, he turned a rod into a serpent. The magicians of Egypt did the same. However, the serpent from Aaron’s rod ate the serpents of the magician’s rods. This showed that HIS power was greater than theirs. This didn’t satisfy Pharaoh.
Second, he turned the water of the river Nile into blood. The magicians of Egypt did the same. This lasted for seven days. The people were not impressed with this sign.
We need to realize that God has allowed Satan to be a good counterfeiter. We sometimes think that if we could only see God once we would believe more. If HE would only show us a miracle, we would believe HIM more. The truth is that it wouldn’t make any difference in our lives, as it made no difference in Pharaoh’s life.
Belief is based on FAITH. Remember that Satan can appear as a Angel of Light. We have to develop the ability to discern the spirits. This can only be done with the help of the Holy Spirit WHO indwells all those who are followers of Christ.
We need to be more like Moses and Aaron and just throw down the rod. Take a step of faith. The world might not believe but they will have no excuse when they appear before the LORD on Judgment Day. Many harden their hearts like Pharaoh. The proof is right in front of them but they chose to ignore it.
CHALLENGE: Your life can show people that the LORD is real. Manifest the LORD daily in your walk in this world. People will notice, may times, without you saying a word.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 23 And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also. (7896 “set” [shiyth] means cause to occur, to apply or focus one’s attention or abilities onto something, appoint, demand, appoint, fix, set mind to, to constitute, or ordain.)
DEVOTION: The first plague is past. The Egyptian magicians could turn some water into blood so Pharaoh was not really impressed with this first plague. He went home satisfied that his magicians were just as strong as the God the children of Israel were worshiping.
His heart was set against letting the people leave Egypt to serve God. He was satisfied that he had won a victory over the Israelites. The problem was that God was not done yet.
Sin seems to have times of victory in any society. It seems like those who are worshiping false gods are winning against those who are worshiping the ONLY TRUE God of the universe.
God was pointing out that HE warns people who are worshiping false gods that they will have to face HIM someday. Even though it seems like God is not winning against those who are confused about HIS power HE will win in the end. They are only seeing part of the picture.
The LORD has an attitude that we don’t have. This attitude is called long-suffering in the Bible. HE is longsuffering and not willing that any should perish in hell for eternity. HE gives everyone an opportunity to turn from their sin and worship HIM.
The children of Israel were never perfect. They were corrected by the LORD many times. However, HE called them HIS people throughout it all. It is hard for most people to understand that God can work with repentant sinners. HE has to show them at times HIS power.
The signs and wonders that God was doing in Egypt were to show the children of Israel just how powerful their God really was. They needed to see HIM in actions as well.
CHALLENGE: HE is still working in our world. In HIS perfect timing HE will show HIS power again to the whole world.
25 And seven days were fulfilled, after that the Lord had smitten the river. (4390 “fulfilled” [maleʾ] means 1 to fill, be full. 1a (Qal). 1a1 to be full. 1a1a fullness, abundance (participle). 1a1b to be full, be accomplished, be ended. 1a2 to consecrate, fill the hand. 1b (Niphal). 1b1 to be filled, be armed, be satisfied. 1b2 to be accomplished, be ended. 1c (Piel). 1c1 to fill. 1c2 to satisfy. 1c3 to fulfil, accomplish, complete. 1c4 to confirm. 1d (Pual) to be filled. 1e (Hithpael) to mass themselves against. [Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship])
DEVOTION: Have you ever had a time in your life when it seemed like the space of a week dragged on? For some of us, that is our experience at our jobs. We seem like we do the same things day in and day out, and never seem to accomplish much. Mothers of small children can feel the same way about their children, not getting a sense of accomplishing very much.
Yet God allowed a full week to elapse from the time that Moses had turned the Nile into blood before He sent Moses to confront Pharaoh again, even knowing that Pharaoh had hardened his heart after observing a miracle. God’s sense of timing is always perfect. He chose to create the world in seven days (including the day of rest), when He could have spoken the world into existence all at once. Part of the purpose of God’s appears to be to teach His children of Israel about the importance of the week. He wanted them not to get ahead of His schedule, but rather to see that He works through time as well.
Don’t you wonder what Moses was thinking throughout this week? Did he wonder if God would do anything else, now that he had shown Pharaoh all three signs that God had given him in the wilderness? Did he wonder about the chaos and destruction that God was wreaking on Egypt after all the centuries of prosperity? Did he wonder about how the children of Israel would fare in the midst of all of this? We are not told what Moses thought during this time, but he used the time to draw closer to the Lord and waited on Him to show the next step.
CHALLENGE: Are you tempted to get ahead of God’s timing? If so, realize that God took a whole week before showing Moses the second plague and wants to show His mercy to those around you through you. (MW)
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD (Jehovah)verses 1, 5, 6, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 25
I will harden Pharaoh’s heartverse 3
MY signsverse 3
MY wondersverse 3
Great judgmentsverse 4
I am the LORDverses 5, 17
I will stretch forth MY handverses 5, 17
LORD commandedverse 10
LORD said Pharaoh would harden heartverse 13
God (Elohim)verse 16
LORD God of the Hebrewsverse 16
Say: Let MY people go to serve MEverse 16
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead – God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Pharaohverses 1-23
Hard heart
Will not hearken
Will say “Show me a miracle”
Told magicians to turned rods’ to serpants
Hard heart
Would not listen to Moses and Aaron
Refuses to let people go
Heart hardened
Set his heart
Land of Egyptverses 3, 5, 6
Egyptians shall know the LORDverses 5, 17, 18, 21-25
Could not drink water
Dug around river for water
Seven days fulfilled
Magicians of Egyptverses 11, 22
Used enchantments
Turned rods to snakes
Aaron’s rod swallowed their snakes
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Hard heartverses 3, 13, 14
Pharaoh not listening to Mosesverses 4, 13, 22
Sorcerersverse 11
Magiciansverses 11, 22
Enchantmentsverses 11, 22
Refuse to let Israel goverse 14
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Speak what God commandsverses 2, 6
Do as the LORD commandsverses 10, 20
Serve the LORDverse 16
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Moses to Pharaoh – a god verses 1, 6-20
Did as the LORD commanded
Age at time: 80
Aaron – prophetverses 1, 6-20
Speak to Pharaoh
Did as the LORD commanded
Age at time: 83
To cast rod to turn into serpent
His rod ate magician’s serpents
Rod turns water into blood
Fish die
Stretch rod over all waters of Egypt
People of Godverse 4
Children of Israelverses 4, 5
Hebrewsverse 16
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
DONATIONS:
Remember that all donations to Small Church Ministries are greatly appreciated. The treasurer will send a receipt, at the end of the year unless otherwise requested. Please be sure to make check out to “Small Church Ministries.” The address for the treasurer is P.O. Box 604, East Amherst, New York 14051. A second way to give to the ministry is through PayPal on the website: www.smallchurchministries.org Also if you can support this ministry through your local church please use that method. Thank you.
QUOTES regarding passage
25–8:5 Seven days after the first plague had begun, Moses and Aaron were instructed by God to take their demands to the king’s palace (7:25–8:1). If he would refuse to grant their repeated request to go to the desert to worship the Lord, they were to announce in the set formula, “I will plague your whole country with frogs” (v.2). This was not to be a “sign” but a “plague” only (See Notes). In comparison with what was to come, this was only a trivial annoyance. (Kaiser, W. C., Jr. (1990). Exodus. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers (Vol. 2, p. 351). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House)
7:22–25. Pharaoh’s magicians, however, were able to duplicate this miracle, so he hardened his heart toward God.
If all the water became blood, where did the magicians obtain water to duplicate the feat? The answer seems to be in verse 24: the waters in the Nile were stricken but not the natural springs or waters filtered through the soil. The people had to abandon the Nile in order to have water to drink. This fouling of the Nile lasted seven days (v. 25). Some say this means seven days intervened between the first plague (of one day) and the second plague. However, since intervals are not stated between any of the other plagues, it seems better to assume that the first judgment lasted seven days. (Hannah, J. D. (1985). Exodus. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 121). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books)
The longer Pharaoh resisted God, the more serious the judgments became. The first three plagues were distressful (water to blood, frogs, gnats); the second three were painful and costly (flies, death of the livestock, boils); and the last four were dangerous and destructive (hail, locusts, darkness, and the death of the firstborn). The longer sinners resist God’s will and refuse to hear His Word, the “louder” He has to speak to them through His judgments.
Not only did the water of the Nile River turn into blood, but so did the other waters in the land and even the water stored in vessels of wood and stone. This was a judgment on the Nile River itself, which was treated like a god, and on Hapi, the god of the Nile, and Isis, the goddess of the Nile. The Nile River was the nation’s major source of life-giving water for the people and their crops, so taking away their water supply was a devastating judgment. The people dug wells near the river in order to get pure water, but the fish in the river died and their decay produced a terrible stench. The plague and its consequences lasted a week (7:25).
The magicians used some of the pure well water and duplicated the miracle. But if they had true magical powers, why didn’t they reverse the miracle? That would have shown them to be more powerful than Jehovah and would have endeared them to Pharaoh and the people. The answer, of course, is that they didn’t have the power to reverse what Moses and Aaron did; the magicians achieved their results by legerdemain and not by any supernatural power. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1998). Be delivered (pp. 30–31). Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Pub)
7:25 Seven days. An interval of time occurred before another warning was delivered, indicating that the plagues did not occur rapidly in uninterrupted succession. (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Ex 7:25). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers)
Ver. 25. And seven days were fulfilled, &c.] Or there were full seven days, a whole week: after that the Lord had smitten the river and turned it into blood; here the miracle is ascribed to him; Moses and Aaron, and the rod they used, were only instruments, nothing short of almighty power could do such a miracle; it seems this lasted seven days at least. It began, as Bishop Usher computes it, on the 18th day of the 6th month, or Adar, part of February and part of March, and ended the 25th of the same. It is not said that Pharaoh requested to have it removed, though Philop says he did; his stubborn heart not being humbled enough as yet to ask such a favour, and therefore perhaps it was taken off without asking for it, to make way for another. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 1, p. 348). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
Pharaoh’s hardness would result in God’s mighty acts of judgment (the 10 plagues) on Egypt (7:8–12:36), which in turn would lead to Israel’s release (7:4) and to the Egyptians’ acknowledging that He is Yahweh (the Lord, v. 5). (Hannah, J. D. (1985). Exodus. (J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck, Eds.)The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books)
Despite the authority God has entrusted to Moses and Aaron, the king will not be swayed because God will “harden Pharaoh’s heart” (v. 3). In keeping with the Old Testament’s view of the sovereignty of God, even an evil spirit is said to come from God (1 Sam. 16:14). When David took his infamous census in 2 Samuel 24:1ff., we are told that “the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he incited David…” to number the people. In 1 Chronicles 21:1, where the same event is recounted, the text states that Satan incited David. It appears that the writer of Samuel could not bring himself to say that this action took place outside of God’s will. So with God’s hardening of Pharaoh’s heart: the monarch still was responsible for his action. (Elwell, W. A. (1995). Evangelical Commentary on the Bible (Vol. 3, Ex 7:1). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House)
“And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart.” This was stated before in Chapter 4:21. Eighteen times we read of the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. However different words are used in the Hebrew to show an important distinction. One means to “make firm” or “strong.” The other, “to make stubborn.” These two words show Pharaoh’s hardening of his own heart and God’s hardening after he continued in his wicked way. After it is five times declared that Pharaoh hardened his heart, then God began His hardening and made Pharoh’s heart stubborn. Pharaoh hardened himself, then God hardened him. Pharaoh had his opportunities and as he refused and continued in unbelief, God made him stubborn. God hardens as a judicial act because man refuses His Word. God never hardens first nor compels a man to be an unbeliever. A solemn warning is contained in this. Thousands harden their hearts now, and ere long apostate Christendom will be hardened by God without remedy. (2 Thess. 2) (Gaebelein, A. C. (1912). The book of Exodus: A Complete Analysis of Exodus with Annotations (p. 22). New York: “Our Hope” Publication Office)
And, in fact, God willed that Pharaoh should pertinaciously resist Moses, in order that the deliverance of the people might be more conspicuous. There is, however, no need of discussing at length the manner in which God hardens reprobates, as often as this expression occurs. Let us hold fast to what I have already observed, that they are but poor speculators who refer it to a mere bare permission; because if God, by blinding their minds, or hardening their hearts, inflicts deserved punishment upon the reprobate, He not only permits them to do what they themselves please, but actually executes a judgment which He knows to be just. …. The opponents of this doctrine foolishly and inconsiderately mix together two different things, since the hardness of heart is the sin of man, but the hardening of the heart is the judgment of God. He again propounds in this place His great judgments, in order that the Israelites may expect with anxious and attentive minds His magnificent and wonderful mode of operation. (Calvin, J., & Bingham, C. W. (2010). Commentaries on the Four Last Books of Moses Arranged in the Form of a Harmony (Vol. 1, p. 141). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software)
GENERAL REVELATION
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. Romans 1:19-20
According to the Bible, God has revealed Himself in two main ways. The first is what we call general revelation; the other, obviously, is special revelation. So first let us look at general revelation. What is this? The Bible tells us that God has revealed Himself, in general and first, through creation and nature. Paul made a most important declaration on this subject to the people of Lystra. He said, “[God] left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” Immediately before that, Paul had said, “God…made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein” (Acts 14:17, 15).
The other classic statement on that same point is to be found in Acts 17:24: “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands.” Again, you find the same thing stated in Romans 1:19-20: “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse”—another momentous passage. All those statements remind us that God, after all, has left His marks, His imprints, in nature and creation; they are “the works of his hands” (Psalm 111:7). “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1).
Everything that has been made is in itself a revelation of God. That is the first definition of general revelation.
A Thought to Ponder
Everything that has been made is in itself a revelation of God.
(Dr, Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
Proverbs 2
Wisdom must be sought after with our entire being.
INSIGHT
Nothing of value is easily obtained. If it were, it would no longer be valuable. Inherent within the concept of value is the feature of scarcity. If all gravel were made of pure gold, then gold would not be valuable. The same is true with intangibles like wisdom. She is an exceedingly valuable life commodity, but she is not easy to come by. If we want wisdom, we must incline our ears, apply our hearts, cry for her, lift our voice for her, seek her as we would silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures (vv. 2-4). Then, and only then, will we understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God (v. 5). (Quiet Walk)
PROVIDENCE AND HISTORY
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. Romans 1:21-22
You get the same type of revelation [as seen in creation and nature] in what is commonly called providence: the ordering of things in this world, their maintenance, their sustenance, and the fact that everything keeps on going and continues in life.
How is all this explained? Well, ultimately it is a question of providence. Through the ordering of providence, the seasons, the rain and the snow, and the fructification of crops are all manifestations of God.
The third aspect of general revelation is history. The whole history of the world, if we could but see it, is a revelation of God.
But now we have to say that in and of itself general revelation is not sufficient. It ought to be sufficient, but it is not. And that, it seems to me, is Paul’s argument in Romans 1:20, where he says, “They are without excuse.” The evidence is there, but that has not been enough. Why? Because of sin. If men and women were not sinners, by looking at the miracles and the works of God in creation, in providence and in history, they would be able to arrive, by a process of reasoning, at God. But because of their sin, they do not; they deliberately turn their backs upon doing so. That is the great argument in the remainder of Romans 1. Paul says, “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” (verses 21-22). And he goes on to say that they began to worship the creature rather than the Creator.
A Thought to Ponder: The whole history of the world, if we could but see it, is a revelation of God.
(From God the Father, God the Son, pp. 14-15 by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
Visit our Facebook page for Small Church Ministries – please invite others to join us on Facebook. Thank you. Look for the logo from the devotionals.