Day 5: Exodus 1:1- 15:18

Reading this today, I found myself imagining what it would feel like to be Pharaoh and wondering if I would have done anything different. On the one hand, we read that it was God's plan to reveal himself and his power through the plagues, particularly the killing of the firstborn and other miracles, and that God made Pharaoh harden his heart. On the other, we read elsewhere in scripture that repentance is possible even for the hardest-hearted, such as the Assyrian king in Jonah. I don't delude myself into thinking I would have submitted to God, nor do I think I would have been an enthusiastic supporter of Moses - the comfortable status quo is alwys much safer and more appealing.

I was reminded of how powerful I found the passover night scene in the animated film, Prince of Egypt, which brought home something of the awfulness of killing of the firstborn (something that left not a single home in Egypt unaffected), as well as the terror of the Israelites, who could do nothing to protect themselves, but were completely and utterly reliant on the power of the lamb that was slain to keep them from death.

We will read plenty ober the coming days of the Israelites grumbling about wanting to go back to their previous lives, even though it was one of slavery. We get an foretaste of this, when the Israelite overseers complain to Moses, telling him they would much prefer if he just left them in their present helpless, but safe situation. It's a reminder of the borderland that I referred to before we started. We need someone to show us how enslaved we are and to deliver us. Fortunately we have a great God who loves us and who does just this.

Editors' note: Been feeling slightly under the weather and will be in England for the next few days, so I am not sure if I will be able to post anything for a little while. Feel free to comment though.