It seems that the writer here uses the common occurences of pestilence in this region to bring home theological insights about the Hebrew God. The Egyptian Pharaoh has a glimpse of Yahweh in 8:8 "Entreat the Lord..." As most of us when the going gets tough we will resort to belief in God, drugs, magic, whatever might bring relief. However, when things get back to normal like Pharaoh, 8:15 "But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart..." Now we see that the magicians have an awareness of God 8:19"this is the finger of God.." The Hebrews know that their God will protect them 8:22 "But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen..." Pharaoh is now faced with how to reconcile two systems of belief, Egyptian and Hebew. He leans even more toward the Hebrew way when he says 8:28 "Make entreaty for me..." The, like me, Pharaoh slides back into his old ways of believing and 8:32"Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also.." What a patient God! Finally, Pharaoh after acknowledging that he has lost his court case 9:28 "Entreat the Lord..." relents. It seems that it is harder for those with power to be aware of the Presence than for those without it. Even 10:7 Pharaoh's servants said....Let the men go..." By the end of chapter 10 don't you just want to slap the Pharaoh? Yet, don't I recognize myself in my yo-yo relationship with Yahweh? My goal is to have a more proactive awareness of this Faithful Presence.
It seems that the writer here uses the common occurences of pestilence in this region to bring home theological insights about the Hebrew God. The Egyptian Pharaoh has a glimpse of Yahweh in
ReplyDelete8:8 "Entreat the Lord..." As most of us when the going gets tough we will resort to belief in God, drugs, magic, whatever might bring relief. However, when things get back to normal like Pharaoh,
8:15 "But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart..." Now we see that the magicians have an awareness of God
8:19"this is the finger of God.." The Hebrews know that their God will protect them
8:22 "But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen..."
Pharaoh is now faced with how to reconcile two systems of belief, Egyptian and Hebew. He leans even more toward the Hebrew way when he says
8:28 "Make entreaty for me..." The, like me, Pharaoh slides back into his old ways of believing and
8:32"Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also.."
What a patient God! Finally, Pharaoh after acknowledging that he has lost his court case
9:28 "Entreat the Lord..." relents. It seems that it is harder for those with power to be aware of the Presence than for those without it. Even
10:7 Pharaoh's servants said....Let the men go..." By the end of chapter 10 don't you just want to slap the Pharaoh? Yet, don't I recognize myself in my yo-yo relationship with Yahweh? My goal is to have a more proactive awareness of this Faithful Presence.