Proof #4 The Lord is the Savior in Every Land and Place

Exodus 8:20-32

RECAP of the “Proofs” God is establishing:

Plague of water to blood—Proof that God is the God of redemption/deliverance

Plague of frogs-Proof that there is no one like our God/God has no equal

Plague of lice/gnats—Proof that God controls ALL things

(READ EXODUS 8:20-32)

Amid all the “proofs” God was establishing of Himself in the plagues we are learning about—stands a singular truth; there’s only one God—one Savior—only One Who can redeem/deliver/reconcile man—the Lord God—Jesus Christ;

The Lord, through these 10 plagues of judgment against Pharaoh and Egypt, was systematically, holistically, and unequivocally dismantling the false “gods” of the Egyptians, while bringing about the holistic and unequivocal deliverance of His people—the nation of Israel-proving this singular, foundational truth!

This “dismantling” of gods (if you will) was not only needed in the time of the Exodus, it’s needed in today’s time as well. All over the world—all throughout history (since the fall) man has created and worshipped gods they themselves have fashioned. People’s imaginations run wild with self-proclaimed images of God, images that speak of man himself being his own “god”, and images of beasts, creeping things, carved images, etc., all in an effort to seek control of their lives (Romans 1:18-32—encourage you to read for more understanding)

And b/c of this, b/c of man’s sin-stained heart, b/c of an enemy opposed in every way way to God, the idea that there is only one Lord, one Savior, one Redeemer, and one way to God, is by-at-large rejected and refused.

From the “gods” of mainstream & man-made religion, to the “gods”/idols we fashion in our own lives today, man has been drawn further & further from (1), the reality that the cross both dismantles “gods,” and (2) delivers souls—and pulled closer to (1) the spiritually fatal deceit that man can be his own “god”, and (2) can us religiousness/himself/or any other means to find his own way.

The great lesson seen in this 4th plague is the proof that the Lord God is the Savior in EVERY land and place. This was the lesson Pharaoh and the Egyptians had to learn and the lesson so many people today need to learn. There is only One God—One Savior—He is the Lord in EVERY land and place—the only TRUE and LIVING God

As we get into this, a question: What is (what are) the “gods”/idols in your life that need dismantling and need destroying?

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I. (v.20) The Declaration of God’s Word

Exodus 8:20 “And the Lord said to Moses, “Rise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh as he comes out to the water. Then say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.”

(CONTEXT)

Pharaoh—the most powerful, prominent king upon the earth at this time, heads down to the Nile River, fresh off yet another rejection of God

Pharaoh—in his mind and the minds of his advisors and the Egyptians,

Believed & lived thinking he possessed the very power of life and death over men

Believed & lived thinking he was a “god”

Believed & lived thinking he possessed the right to enslave, bind, and oppress others

Believed & lived thinking he possessed the right to show favoritism or partiality towards others

Moses—the messenger of God, the one whom God was working through to deliver His people--rises in the early morning to, again, to intercept Pharaoh with God’s warning and message, “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.”

What does this teach us about God and His desire for man?

God hates/despises slavery and oppression; no person is to enslave another—and He will continue to declare His message to those who would/have/do hold people in bondage; just look at number of times God delivers this message to Pharaoh:

Exodus 5:1 “...Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.’ ””

Exodus 8:1 “...‘Thus says the Lord: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.”

Exodus 8:20 “Thus says the Lord: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.”

Exodus 9:1 “...Thus says the Lord God of the Hebrews: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.”

Exodus 9:13 “...Thus says the Lord God of the Hebrews: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me,”

Exodus 10:3 “...Thus says the Lord God of the Hebrews: ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, that they may serve Me.”

God’s will is that a person will live in freedom to live, work, and serve Him—all while under His care/provision/protection

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

God shows no partiality of favoritism towards others; His desire is for ALL man to be reconciled to Himself

Romans 10:12 “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.”

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

(CONNECTION-YOU and ME)

The author of Hebrews lays out the truth about the means of God’s once-and-for-all message against bondage and slavery

Hebrews 1:1-3 “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,”

Hebrews 12:2 “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

“sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,” and “…has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God,” indicated the work Christ came to do was completed, there was nothing left to do

At His death—the wage was paid

At His resurrection—death was slain

At His ascension—He now sits waiting to call those who would/might surrender to eternal glory and life in His presence for eternity

The purpose of Scripture-

The foundational/fundamental truth in God delivering His gospel—in sending His Son—is to “save man from their sins,”

Matthew 1:21 “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.””

2 Timothy 3:15-16 “and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,”

The foundational/fundamental truth of the Bible, is not to make man religious, but to convert man’s soul; morality does not make one acceptable to God—we are only accepted by God through Jesus Christ

If the only thing you are gaining from the Bible is morality, you are only gaining religiousness—if you are only gaining religiousness, you are merely cleaning the outside of the cup: Jesus say in Matthew 23:25-26:

““Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.”

If you are reading the Bible, but missing the redemptive truth of Jesus Christ, you are at risk of merely practicing religiousness and missing the joy of being engaged in a relationship.

II.(v.21) Warning and Pronouncement of Judgment

Exodus 8:21 “Or else, if you will not let My people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and your servants, on your people and into your houses. The houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground on which they stand.”

(CONTEXT)

The reason for the warning and the judgment—like before

Pharaoh had rejected God

Pharaoh refused to obey God

Again—NOTE—this was a warning; again Pharaoh was given

Time to repent

Opportunity to turn to God

The chance to renounce his sin of greed and pride, and how it had led to Israel’s enslavement

Time to show true repentance

The judgment itself—repulsive: Billions and billions of flies

Swarm over the land

Cover everything

Cover every place—even those places where people would stand, sit, or lie down

So thick—they would

cover everyone

fill houses

blacken the ground

blacken the atmosphere surrounding people

The cause of the flies?

God Himself—caused the multiplication of flies

(CONNECTION—YOU and ME)

God's Word tells us there is judgment is to come, for those who

Reject His Son—thereby rejecting Him

Refuse to obey Him

God’s Word, today, is only a warning: the full force of God’s holy, eternal wrath has yet to fall, meaning people today have been given:

Time to repent

Time to turn from our sin and turn towards God

Time to renounce their sin(s)—that have led to their enslavement and the enslavement of others

God’s Word holds promises to those that will and do acknowledge their sin(s), turn from them, and turn to God

Psalm 1:3 “He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.”

Psalm 32:5-6 “I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You In a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters They shall not come near him.”

Isaiah 49:8 “Thus says the Lord: “In an acceptable time I have heard You, And in the day of salvation I have helped You; I will preserve You and give You As a covenant to the people, To restore the earth, To cause them to inherit the desolate heritages;”

Ezekiel 18:21 ““But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die.”

Luke 13:3 “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

III.(v.22-23) Purpose of the Judgment (God never judges without a purpose/reason)

Exodus 8:22-23 “And in that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, in order that you may know that I am the Lord in the midst of the land. I will make a difference between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall be.” ’ ””

(CONTEXT)—To Prove that He is the Lord in Every Land and Place—even in Egypt. How did Pharaoh and Egypt know this and how can we?

He protected His people

The flies were kept from Goshen

The flies (judgment) fell only on the land of Egypt---only on the Egyptians

Flies (judgment) fell on the sinners (unrepentant/rejecting/disobedient hearts)—literally covering them

Flies—not one fly—touched those who followed God

God made a distinction

Between His people and Pharaoh’s people

(CONNECTION—YOU and ME)

God makes a distinction b/t unbelievers and believers

Believers

No longer under condemnation, but to liberty

Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”

Galatians 5:13 “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

Assured and under His care/provision/protection

Ephesians 1:13-14 “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”

Philippians 4:19 “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Romans 8:31-32 “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”

Romans 8:34-39 “Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Struggle and fight every day to live godly lives, allowing God to conform them more and more into the image of His Son (this is His will)

1 Thessalonians 4:3 “For this is the will of God, your sanctification:...”

1 Timothy 6:11-14 “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing,”

Unbelievers—no matter the excuse/argument/justification, have no place/portion of this—if there’ s no surrender to Jesus Christ as both Lord and Savior, they are

Still under condemnation

Not ensured of His care/provision/protection

Living as Paul says in Ephesians 2:2-3 “in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.”

IV.(v.24) Judgment arrives

Exodus 8:24 “And the Lord did so. Thick swarms of flies came into the house of Pharaoh, into his servants’ houses, and into all the land of Egypt. The land was corrupted because of the swarms of flies.”

(CONTEXT)-What we know from this verse

Pharaoh rejected God and the message and refused to confess, so

Judgment swarmed—in the form of billions and billions of flies—over the land of Egypt, the Egyptians—their houses, persons, livestock and all their land

The land was quite literally inundated and ruined by the flies

NOTE: So I did some digging: According to one pest-control website, flies

Feed on fecal matter, discharges from open sores/wounds/scars

They are also believed to defecate every time they land (b/c of their “diet”)

Are found anywhere filth, trash, garbage heaps, and dead animal carcasses are located

Remember the heaps of dead frogs?

Remember the stench and rancid condition of the Nile?

(From what we know today)—are responsible for the transmission of up to 65 diseases, including:

Typhoid fever

Leprosy

Dysentery

Fly

Whatever they pick up from a dead animal—say a frog—is then carried by flight everywhere they go, land, sit, etc.

The point—while this event occurred 1000’s of years ago, flies haven’t changed in their nature or what they carry, so

Imagine the disease, sickness, and devastation they must have inflicted and left behind

(CONNECTION—YOU and ME)

As mentioned before—as the message/warning of judgment was given to Pharaoh, so it is given to us

As mentioned before—as the message/warning of judgment was given to Pharaoh, how many have ignored, put-off, neglected the message?

V. (v.25-29) The Response to Judgment: A Cry for Deliverance

Exodus 8:25-29 “Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, “Go, sacrifice to your God in the land.” And Moses said, “It is not right to do so, for we would be sacrificing the abomination of the Egyptians to the Lord our God. If we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, then will they not stone us? We will go three days’ journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the Lord our God as He will command us.” So Pharaoh said, “I will let you go, that you may sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilderness; only you shall not go very far away. Intercede for me.” Then Moses said, “Indeed I am going out from you, and I will entreat the Lord, that the swarms of flies may depart tomorrow from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people. But let Pharaoh not deal deceitfully anymore in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the Lord.””

(CONTEXT)-Here’s what happened?

Pharaoh called for Moses and offered to compromise—to let Israel sacrifice to God—but only in Egypt

Moses rejected the compromise. Why? Two reasons (v.26-27)

Sacrificing animals was offensive to the Egyptians and would more than likely have caused an uprising against the Israelites; potentially and likely resulting in their stoning

In other words—it was a trap

More importantly, it would have meant compromising on obedience

It is moments like these, where Moses is confronted and stands faithful, that give credence to what the author Hebrews says of him:

Hebrews 11:24-27 “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.”

Pharaoh agreed to Moses’ compromise—yet insisted Israel not try and escape (v.28)

Pharaoh begged for prayer and deliverance: Note that judgment was literally “flying” around his head at the time (v.28)

Moses promised deliverance; that God would relent (v.29)

Moses’ warning: Pharaoh was not to act deceitfully, not to make another false profession/promise (v.29)

(CONNECTION—YOU and ME)—Our focus on our connection is from v.25-27

God has a holy standard and regardless of our excuses/reasons/justifications/actions, it will not be adjusted/manipulated/lowered for any one person—nor are to compromise on this standard

David’s sin against God, Bathsheba, and Uriah (2 Samuel 11) was the product of compromise:

Deuteronomy 17:17 “Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself.”

1 Chronicles 14:3 “Then David took more wives in Jerusalem, and David begot more sons and daughters.”

David did what was deemed “ok” in the standards of the culture and the world, rather than living according to God’s standard

Others in Scripture:

The account of Lot (Genesis)

The account of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5)

The compromise of our obedience is a person’s digression into sin 1 out of 1 times, and is our attempt and desire to self-adjust God’s standards to justify our own sinful lusts and cravings

The compromise of our obedience is seen in various ways in our lives:

“It’s only this one time.”

“No one will know”

“It’s not hurting anyone.”

“God will forgive me, so what’s the harm, b/c He understands me.”

“It’s what everyone else/my friends are doing.”

What we can expect

God’s chastisement will ALWAYS fall upon us when we sin against God and do wrong against others

Sometimes it’s mild

Sometimes it’s heavy

No matter the suffering however, in our repentant and contrite hearts for mercy,

God will stop the chastisement

God will restore the joy of life and salvation (as seen in David’s Psalm of repentance)

Psalm 51:12 “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.”

VI. (v.30-31) The Deliverance

Exodus 8:30-31 “So Moses went out from Pharaoh and entreated the Lord. And the Lord did according to the word of Moses; He removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people. Not one remained.”

(CONTEXT)

Moses immediately got alone with God

Moses immediately cried out to God

Moses immediately prayed and prayed for God to relent and remove His hand of judgment

God heard Moses’ prayer and delivered Egypt

Flies (judgment) were removed/they left/not one remained to pester the people

(CONNECTION—YOU and ME)

God answers prayer—if we sincerely cry out to Him for deliverance

Prayer is not to be part-time, but persistent

Luke 18:1-5 “Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ””

Mark 10:48 “Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!””

Prayer is not to be pious, but of humble posture

Luke 18:11-13 “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’”

Prayer is not to be assumptive, but demonstrative

God’s directive in teaching us to pray, is to draw out our faith

Prayer is not to be presumptive, but doubtless

God’s deliverance is ALWAYS all-encompassing—He leaves no part of judgment behind

Exodus 11:1 “...When he lets you go, he will surely drive you out of here altogether.”

God’s deliverance is only through Jesus Christ/Atonement is only possible through the blood—it’s His standard

God’s standard for atonement is blood; God’s standard does not change and cannot be changed. And His standard did not change, even for Jesus Christ—His only Begotten Son

Leviticus 17:11 “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’”

God’s standard for atonement has, by at large, not sat well with man, because with Christ comes accountability, with His perfect sacrifice brings acknowledgement of our own sin

Yet man has always tried to find atonement outside of God’s standard

Blame—see Adam and Eve; Aaron; and others

Religiousness—

Church attendance,

Service records,

Mere knowledge of God’s Word (knowledge apart from understanding still leaves one under condemnation)

Rules

Good works

Ignorance

Self-sufficiency

Jesus knew this standard and He was obedient to see if fulfilled

Philippians 2:5-8 “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

Luke 22:41-42 “And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.””

Hebrews 12:2 “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

1 Peter 3:18 “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,”

VII.(v.32) The Sin of Turning Back

Exodus 8:32 “But Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also; neither would he let the people go.”

(CONTEXT)

Pharaoh made both a promise to God and a profession to Moses; even more, Pharaoh was warned not to be deceitful, to be absolutely sincere about the genuineness of his profession; and worse judgment would fall upon him

(CONNECTION—You and me)

(WORSHIP TEAM)

As we discussed last week, God cannot be mocked, (Galatians 6:7) “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”

We must be sincere and genuine in our dealings with God, b/c He is incapable of being deceived

God knows if:

Our profession is false

God knows when we:

Backslide

Turn back

Fall into sin

Forsake Him

Choose the world over Him

God also knows a heart that:

Genuinely seeks Him

Genuinely cries out to Him

Genuinely confesses to Him

Genuinely repents of their sin

Turning back to the world, its pleasures and possessions, is dangerous. Jesus’s rescuing us from the grave was not a call to stay in or go back to those things His death put to death in our lives. Listen to what Jesus says in raising Lazarus from the grave:

John 11:43-44 “Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.””

In Jesus’ freeing us from the grave, those things which have bound us and were bringing about our death, were loosed and let go, so we should fight everyday not to return to those things Christ put to death in us.