TODAY’S SPECIAL: Exodus 7:1-13
TO CHEW ON: “ Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and with mighty acts of judgment I will bring out my divisions, my people the Israelites. And the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out of it.” Exodus 7:4b, 5
Suppose someone told you to do something but at the same time told you that you would fail? Wouldn’t you be tempted to ask what’s the use and then not do it?
This is what happened to Moses and Aaron. When God told them about talking to Pharaoh, He said He would harden Pharaoh’s heart. At first Pharaoh wouldn’t listen to Moses and Aaron.
But God also told Moses the end of the story. In the end God would judge the Egyptians for mistreating the Israelites. The Israelites would be allowed to leave Egypt.
Many things in life are the same way. We may not have friends on the first day at a new school, but if we keep being friendly, we will make new friends. We may not understand the math lesson the first time the teacher explains it, but if we keep trying, finally we’ll get it. Our soccer team may not win at first, but if we keep practicing, we will get better. The secret is to ask God for help with our problems, then trust Him and not give up.
PRAYER: Dear God, help me not to give up but to keep trusting You no matter how bad things look. Amen.
MORE: Snake Showdown
What happened when Moses and Aaron showed Pharaoh what God could do with a shepherd’s rod?
Choose the best answer (Check Exodus 7:10-13 if you need help)
1. When Aaron threw his rod down
a] it became blood
b] it became a snake
c] it became a frog
2. Pharaoh saw this and
a] ran away
b] listened to Moses
c] sent for his magicians.
3. When the Egyptian magicians turned their rods into snakes as well
a] all the snakes slithered into the Nile
b] Aaron’s snake swallowed the magicians’ snakes.
c] the magicians’ snakes swallowed Aaron’s snake.
4. After Pharaoh saw this he
a] still refused to listen.
b] fell on the ground, afraid.
c] told Moses and the Israelites to leave the land before sunset.