This exposition of Exodus 8:16-19, by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, July 29, 2018.
Intro:
Some people? I’ve dealt with some pretty stubborn individuals in my life, I’ve even been known to be stubborn myself on occasion but this guy?
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I just don’t understand. How could he refuse? What would it take for him to give in? Rivers, canals, ponds, vessels of stone and wood all turned to blood, an invasion of frogs, now rotting all over Egypt, and he will not yield. It’s official Pharaoh is truly the King of Denial! Moses has come as God’s chosen instrument of deliverance and demanded that Pharaoh release the Hebrew slaves. Pharaoh will have none of it. “I don’t know this God of yours, why should I listen to Him?” The plagues are a series of blows against the obstinate leader and his people. They are intended as punishment of the Egyptians but also as a means of humiliating their gods. The stated goal is that Israel and all of Egypt would know that the LORD (Yahweh) is God. Our text this morning is found in Exodus chapter 8 and beginning with verse 16.
Text: Exodus 8:16-19
Moses, uniquely prepared by God has returned to Egypt after 40 years in exile.
His brother Aaron is his spokesmen.
The two have come to Pharaoh repeatedly to no avail.
Following the 2nd plague it look as if Pharaoh was coming around.
“Plead with the LORD to take away the frogs from me and from my people, and I will let the people go to sacrifice to the LORD.”
But this was not biblical faith or even a sincere offer.
This was a plea for relief.
This was, at best, survivalist faith.
A plea for self-preservation.
That’s obvious because as soon as there was relief, Pharaoh hardened his heart again.
This time there is no warning. There is no demand to release the slaves. There is just a devastating, disgusting dose of divine judgment.
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As we work our way through this passage we discover that…
Thesis: The third plague reveals two important truths and one sobering reality.
There are three things I want us to note.
- Our God is relentless in the declaration of His glory. (8:16-17)
- Satan, though powerful, is no match for our Sovereign God. (8:18-19a)
- Though the message is relentless and the evidence overwhelming, saving faith demands the work of grace transforming the hardened, sinful heart. (8:19b)
Conclusion:
Your only hope of salvation is that God in grace and mercy take that cold hardened heart of yours and transform it into a heart of flesh. Your only hope of salvation is in the grace and mercy of God. That is what God has promised to do through the faithful preaching of the Word.
But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news…faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:14-17)
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. (1 Corinthians 1:21)
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