Exodus 10

Throughout these plagues, the text tells us that the Lord hardens Pharaoh's heart. Pharaoh is playing his part in God's plan for the Israelites. As tough as that sounds, we are called to say, "Let not my will, but thine be done."

Exodus 9

More plagues: livestock, boils, hail. More promises and more heart hardening. I find vs. 31-32 interesting, though. Why did the author find it pertinent to point out which crops were destroyed and which were spared? Who was the author, by the way? Ah, Moses. (Not Leon Uris, as Google tried to prompt. Although, as an aside, I highly recommend Uris' books. His Exodus was awesome!)

Exodus 8

It looks as if God is peeling back the layers of falsehood covering this interaction. With the frogs, Pharaoh concedes to let the Israelites go if the frogs will just go away (although, he goes back on his promise). With the gnats, the Egyptian magicians are unable to duplicate the miracle. With the flies, Pharaoh offers to let the Israelites sacrifice to God within the land of Egypt (though this is not enough). God is chipping away at Pharaoh's heart of stone.

Exodus 7

I wonder what these "secret arts" are of the Egyptian magicians. They were able to do the same miracles Moses and Aaron did. Were they empowered by God to play out this back and forth between Moses and Pharaoh? Or did their powers come from another source? I guess it comes down the the question of whether God allows Satan to work or if all things come from God himself.

Exodus 6

This chapter has more God promising, more Moses questioning, and some etymology. It feels a little annoying, all of this doubt. But I'm sure I have been just as annoying (and then some!) to God. He is God my Father, though, and loves me still!