The Sun-god of Egypt, Ra, was a powerful deity in the nation of Egypt. Ra was thought to be “the father of the gods, head of the great ennead (Chuck Pierce).” He was thought, perhaps, to be the greatest of all the Egyptian gods. God was making a definitive statement, a crowning win over the most powerful god Egypt had to offer. He stood tall over Ra for three days, with a darkness so heavy that no one could move or leave his house.
Pharaoh agreed to let the Hebrews go, but then reneged on the offer when they asked to take their livestock. The Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart one more time. God had established his superiority over even the greatest god of Egypt, Ra! After the defeat of the Sun god, God then declared to Moses that He would kill the firstborn of every family. After that, Pharaoh would let them go. Before that plague, though, the Hebrews would ask the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold. By this time, Moses was considered great in the sight of the Egyptians and Pharaoh’s servants. God was establishing the nation of Israel as a force of God’s favor, and was providing them the means to be prosperous.
God further explained what would happen in the last plague. The firstborn of every family would be taken, except for the Israelites’ children. He said that all the servants of Pharaoh would come to Moses and bow down and then ask the Hebrews to leave. But for now, Pharaoh’s heart was still hard and he would not allow Israel to leave.
There is coming a day when every god of man will bow down before God Almighty. Prophecies concerning the end times foretell that fact. It is important for us as Christians to hold on until the end. Moses, Aaron, and the children of Israel were in a position of oppression and hardship. They also saw Pharaoh continually deny Moses’ call to let the people go. But their continued faith in God and their continued patience in waiting for the end result would soon be rewarded. One more plague to unfold!
Devoted To You 