F O O T H O L D
READING
59 HOW SOON WE FORGET
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PRAY Remind me of your
constant love and power, sovereign Lord.
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READ Exodus 7:25-8:15.
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THINK What is the main point
of these plague episodes? What do they
tell us about God and about
people?
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FOCUS The plague of frogs (1-15).
Frogs in themselves would not have
been unusual. But the
numbers were surprising - and disgusting,
as verse 3,4 remind us. Try
to imagine the scene. It sounds funny
- but the Egyptians didn't
think so.
It even made an impression
on the Pharaoh. The Nile 'plague' had
no effect on him, but at
last he swallowed his pride and asked
the slave leaders for the
frogs to be taken away (8). At least he
was beginning to see that
God was involved in these events.
The results were not at all
pleasant (14). But Moses made it
clear that the whole thing
was not a coincidence. How (9,10)?
Human beings have short
memories. The Pharaoh found it easy to
forget his fear and 'forget'
his promise (15).
THE PLAGUE OF GNATS (16-19).
Once again God was at work. Even the
magicians had to admit it (19).
They had been able to imitate the
earlier plagues, but not
this one (18).
THE RESPONSE. Are you
surprised by Pharaoh's response (15,19)?
Then look - as honestly as
you can - at your own heart. At your
own actions. God has allowed
things to happen in your life which
you may have seen as a
reminder to change your ways. Perhaps to
turn to him. Have you
'forgotten'?
And God has been good to you.
Sometimes your heart has been
warmed with gratitude. Has
it made any difference to your life?
We are all forgetful.
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PRAY Ask God for strength to
remember - and respond to God's kindness.
