The Point Of No Return - Exodus 9:13-35

Introduction

We have arrived at a very desperate point in Pharaoh’s life. God has now moved forward with a judicial hardening of Pharaoh’s heart.

At this point God is suspending his grace and yet demands obedience. Pharoah will face punishment for the harsh labor he placed upon God’s people. God has shown longsuffering through the six plagues.

God is make the demand for the seventh time! Moses had a very heavy message for Pharaoh this time. That is where we pick up in tonight’s message...

1) Pharaoh Is Marked For Ruin (vv13-17)

A. Beyond repentance (vv13-14)

The Bible says that there is a time for everything; even repentance.

Notice where God is aiming at! PHARAOH’S HEART! (v14)

The bodily affect of these plagues is of lesser desperation than the effect it will have on Pharaoh’s heart.

His heart will only have the capability of hopelessness WORST PLAGUES.

The spiritual nature of a man is found within the posture of his heart.

His heart is destined for consuming despair!

APPLICATION: When God judges he will overcome; none ever hardened his heart against him and prospered

“None like me in all the earth”

There has been and always will be an imitation of God in this world.

Examples: Your job, money, morality, family, etc.

B. Prepared for a purpose (vv15-17)

As if God is saying, “By now I could have struck you dead!”

Even in light of Pharaoh’s desperate end, God was gracious.

God DOES NOT create evil. Yet, He superintends it for it to grow that He may use it for a greater purpose.

God’s sovereignty is exercised in two ways: 1) creation 2) permission

“I raised thee up”

God permitted Pharaoh to become himself.

When we see evil grow, never forget, God is going to do something wonderful with it.

Some say, “God has nothing to prove.”

Not to himself, but He does to those that don’t know Him.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume Exodus 9:13–21

Providence ordered it so that Moses should have a man of such a fierce and stubborn spirit as he was to deal with; and every thing was so managed in this transaction as to make it a most signal and memorable instance of the power God has to humble and bring down the proudest of his enemies.

“Through all the earth”

God uses history to communicate Himself to those who will live in the future.

Many love Romans 8, but there is a flip side to that:

All things can work together for the bad of those who hate God and resist His purposes.

God will get glory through us or in spite of us!!!

Cooperation with God’s sovereignty does not eliminate your experience of harship and suffering.

It does mean you can be assured that the good, bad and ugly of your life is put into God’s blender and ultimately bring you to a place where He wants you to be.

2) God Is Mighty With Compassion (vv18-26)

A. Compassion extended

Rain falls on the just and the unjust.

In spite of Egypts king, God extends compassion to his palace and people.

Application: We should be thankful God extends compassion on a people in spite of their leaders!

Pray for our leaders in ever sense of the term!

Paul told Timothy to pray for all “kinds” of men.

Application:

3) Pharaoh’s Manufactured Repentance

A. A selfish repentance

What is true repentance?

Walking in a completely different direction.

Now, it SEEMS as if Pharaoh is being sincere.

First of all, we know that he is far beyond being able to repent.

However here is something else to consider:

Quote: How many a hardened rebel on shipboard, when the timbers are strained and creaking, when the mast is broken and the ship is drifting before the gale, when the hungry waves are opening their mouths to swallow the ship alive-how many a hardened sailor has then bowed his knees, with tears in his eyes and cried, “I have sinned this time?” But of what use and of what value was his confession? The repentance that was born in the storm dies in the calm. That repentance of his that was begotten amid the thunder and the lightning ceases as soon as all is hushed in quiet. And the man who was a pious mariner when on board ship becomes the most wicked and abominable of sailors when he places his poor on solid ground.” (Charles H. Spurgeon)

Notice how Moses, in spite of Pharaoh’s reality petitions God to stop the plagues.

Application: Let us not be hard hearted and cut people off too quick from our ability to show compassion.

Conclusion

Whatever warning or message God has been bringing to your heart, you have one of two choices to make: 1) Will I become better by it (or) 2) Will I become worse by rejecting it?

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume Exodus 9:22–35

Those that are not bettered by judgments and mercies are commonly made worse.