“When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.” (Proverbs 21:5 ESV)
My “Bible Recap” plan had me read Exodus 7-9 today – right in the middle of Moses and the Egyptian Pharaoh’s “epic battle” over whether the Israelites could go and worship in the wilderness. Moses asks permission; Pharaoh denies it; God (through Moses) does a sign to show that HE is God. First the Nile turns to blood, then frogs come up out of the Nile into all the houses, then there are gnats EVERYWHERE. I was kind of amused by my NIV Study Bible’s attempt to explain away these plagues with natural causes: the red river could have been from unusually large amounts of sediment washed down from Ethiopia during the Nile’s annual flooding. Then, because of the red Nile, the fish would have died and the bacteria would have driven the frogs out of the water. Then the frogs died, probably because of poisonous bacteria in the algae in the water. And the “dust” of the gnats may refer to an immense number of insects bred in the flooded fields in Egypt. Yep. Maybe all these things are natural explanations for what happened. Maybe. And maybe all these were the Hand of God moving on natural situations to make a profound statement in the eyes of the Pharaoh – and future generations.
The next four plagues of flies, death of livestock, boils, and hail that destroys crops are different from the first three. There is mercy in each plague. God says to Pharaoh in Exodus 8:23 (NIV), “I will make a distinction between my people and your people.” And he does. The flies are not on God’s people in the land of Goshen – only on those in Egypt. And, “The Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and that of Egypt so that no animal belonging to the Israelites will die.” (Exodus 9:4 NIV) That chapter goes on to tell us, “All the livestock of the Egyptian died, but not one animal belonging to the Israelites died.” (9:6) When Moses tossed dust from the furnace into the air, the resulting boils were on the magicians and on all the Egyptians – but no mention is made of any boils on the Israelites.
In addition to protecting his people from these plagues, God also warns the people of the hail that is to come – and so even some of the Egyptians that fear God take notice! “‘Therefore, at this time tomorrow I will send the worst hailstorm that has ever fallen on Egypt, from the day it was founded till now. Give an order now to bring your livestock and everything you have in the field to a place of shelter, because the hail will fall on every person and animal that has not been brought in and is still out in the field, and they will die.’ Those officials of Pharaoh who feared the word of the Lord hurried to bring their slaves and their livestock inside. But those who ignored the word of the Lord left their slaves and livestock in the field.” (Exodus 9:19-21 NIV). My NIV Study Bible says that this is, “An example of God’s compassion. Even in judgment he allows for the protection of both humans and animals.” (p. 110) Even in God’s judgment of evil, there is mercy.
God wants us to know his mercy and grace and close companionship; he doesn’t WANT to pour out his judgment, but he will when necessary. He says things like, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness,” (Jeremiah 31:3 NIV) and “Since you are precious to me, you are honored and I love you.” (Isaiah 43:4 GW) The tender heart of God desires, “all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4 NASB)
Have you ever wondered what will happen when the bad governmental and economic choices of yesterday and today come back upon us today and tomorrow? The “Prophets of the Land” in government, media, business, social media, etc. are forecasting a major economic event – anywhere from a “downturn” to a “depression” to a “meltdown.” None of those scenarios sound good. And if the “Prophets of the Lord” are right in their forecasts of judgement upon worldly and demonic economic and governmental systems, humanity is in for a world of hurt.
In Moses’s day Pharaoh and his magicians had hard hearts and wouldn’t come to a knowledge of God’s Truth. In our day there are many, many people with similar hard-heartedness. People living in wickedness will eventually be judged and if that judgment comes upon them in this life, people not living in wickedness could be caught up in the consequences. This is why God pours out his loving invitation to all people and extends mercy and protection to them.
The Psalmist gave his children this promise:
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. (Psalm 91:1-8 NIV)
No matter what chaos comes in our worldly systems, when we are sheltered by the Lord God Almighty we are under his protection, refuge, and shield. No terror, arrow, pestilence, or plague will come near us as we observe the punishment of the wicked. He has loved us and drawn us with unfailing kindness into his love and grace. We are precious to him and he loves us.
Even when his children walk through the shadow of death – or earthly plagues – our God is near us and protects us.
That is God’s mercy in the midst of plagues.
Most High God,
Thank you for your tender invitation of love, grace, and mercy that you pour out upon all people. Thank you for your righteous justice poured out on the wicked in the world. Today we pray that you would protect your children. We pray no terror, arrow, pestilence, or plague – or financial or governmental chaos – would come near us because you are our refuge and fortress, the God in whom we trust. Holy Spirit, cause us to look to you for wisdom and provision when the prophets of the land scream of doom. Jesus, keep us dwelling in your shelter and abiding in your peace, we ask in your name, Amen!