August 11, 2008

Text: Exodus 8

EARLY IN THE MORNING

1. Early morning ministry

a) Pharaoh

b) Pharaoh going to the River Nile    Exodus 8:20

2. Early morning discipline

a) The example of the Lord Jesus    (Cf. Mark 1:35)

c) A life-long discipline
"He wakens me morning by morning"    Isaiah 50:4

A NEW DIMENSION

1. Distinction made between God's people living in Goshen and Egypt
"And in that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell, that no swarms of flies be there, in order that you may know that I am the LORD in the midst of the land."    Exodus 8:22-23

a) Set apart the land of Goshen

b) My people

c) That you may know

d) I am the LORD in the midst of the land

2. Fulfillment
"And the LORD did so"    Exodus 8:24a

PHARAOH'S DILEMMA

1. Water to blood (Magicians could duplicate)    Exodus 7
Unmoved

2. Frogs (Magicians could duplicate)    Exodus 8
Unmoved

3. Lice (Magicians failed)    Exodus 8
Unmoved

4. Flies (Magicians unable to duplicate)    Exodus 8

PHARAOH'S GAMBIT- COMPROMISE
"Go, sacrifice to your God in the land"    Exodus 8:25

MOSES- MATURING AS A SERVANT OF THE LORD
Exodus 8:25-32

1. Declining of Compromise

2. Reasons for decline of the compromise

a) The Egyptians would stone them

b) God's command was clear
They have to get out of the land of Egypt

INTERCESSION OF MOSES
"So Moses went out from Pharaoh and entreated the LORD. And the LORD did according to the word of Moses"    Exodus 8:30-31e

THE HARDENING OF PHARAOH'S HEART
"But Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also; neither would he let the people go."    Exodus 8:32

1. Forewarned

2. Expected

3. Fulfilled