God's Handiwork or Work of God's Hand?

O.T. #155  "God's Handiwork or Work of God's Hand?
Oct. 25, 2013
Exodus 9-Part 3
So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.  Exodus 9:24

LET IT GLOW

Have you experienced or seen the mighty wonders of God lately?
Yesterday I traveled down the mountains for a meeting in the capital city of my state. I saw beautiful red leaves which had already changed from green. They seem to be the early ones in the fall process. The setting sun shining brightly upon the red trees made them glisten.  Only God could make such a marvelous sight. How can people pass by them and not proclaim God's glorious handiwork? I often say, "Look, Lord, at such a beautiful tree." As though He hasn't seen it all along. Maybe He chuckles at my finite mind.
Well, Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, which was a very smart man, I am sure, seemed to pass by the work of God's hand upon his life. It was in the form of plagues instead of beauty.

God forewarns Pharaoh about His seventh plague coming if he does not release the Israelites so they can worship God. So far we have read about the water turned to blood, frogs, gnats, flies, livestock died, boils on people and animals. I think of all the devastation that has occurred. Isn't anyone going to try to talk some sense into this king? Haven't the people suffered enough due to this man's pride?
Egypt's fish and other meat supply was demolished, frogs and insects everywhere, even the pain of the boils. How terrible to live in Egypt. Except for the land of Goshen, the Hebrews were not effected by today's plague.
How strong is our faith?


LET IT GROW

PLAGUE #7 Hail

It was a grievous hail that Egypt had never seen.

Rain itself is infrequent in Egypt, and then only along the Mediterranean coast and rarely south of Cairo. Hail would be a very unusual occurrence in Egypt. (Falwell)

What do we know about this hailstorm, the work of God's hand?

• It was the worse hailstorm on Egypt that had ever been witnessed. (verse 24)
• Thunder, lightning, and rain accompanied the hail. (verse 23)
• It struck all that was in the field, man and beast, plants and trees. (verse 25)
• It was escaped only by the land of Goshen. (verse 26)
• It prompted a momentary repentance and another promise of release from Pharaoh (verses 27-28)
• All four crops were important economic resources-flax and barley, yet the wheat and rye were not up out of the ground so they were not effected. (verse 31-32)
• Upon the ceasing of the hail, Pharaoh reneged on his word, sinned again and hardened his heart, and did not let the Hebrews leave. (verse 34) (Swindoll)

The hailstorm attacked the gods of Egypt which they worshipped:
Set-god of storms,
Nut-a sky goddess,
Osiris-a god of crops and fertility,
Seth-protector of crops.
[Resource: Moses, God's Man For a Crisis, by Charles Swindoll, from a chart written by John D. Hannah, using various sources listed on page 56 in Swindoll's Bible study guide]

Do we experience the work of God's hand on  our lives and just pass by it without recognizing it?
Or do we marvel at His handiwork?
What a Mighty God we serve and worship!

LET IT GO

Open my eyes to see the work of God in my life.

Praise Him for His beautiful creation.

Let go of any hardness in my heart.

Love God and others.

Look for red trees in my life today.