Word: Exodus 7:10-13, 16-22, 8:2-7 Title: Ten plagues (2) 1994. 9. 4
Of the ten plagues that came upon Egypt at the time of the Exodus, today we will study the second message. When Moses performed the first signs, the Egyptian magicians appeared. When Aaron threw down his staff before Pharaoh, it became a serpent. But the magicians of Egypt were also able to do something similar. Moses and Aaron struck the river with the staff, and the water turned into blood. Yet the Egyptian magicians also imitated this. When Moses and Aaron brought up frogs, the magicians did something similar again.
How, then, were the Egyptian magicians able to perform such things? At that time, the court magicians were people who performed various signs and tricks before the king. This was more than three thousand years ago, when science was not developed as it is today. Those selected as court magicians were specially trained, and such skills could also be passed down and studied from generation to generation. Even modern magicians can perform astonishing illusions. They can appear to pass through solid structures, make large objects disappear, suddenly appear in another place, or perform acts that seem physically impossible. No matter how carefully people watch, they may still be deceived by the illusion.
There have also been people who trained their bodies and minds for many years and demonstrated unusual abilities. Some practiced breath control and other forms of physical and mental discipline. There have been claims that some could endure extreme conditions or perform extraordinary feats. Whether every such claim is true or not, human beings have developed many remarkable skills through intensive training. There are also spiritual phenomena connected with evil spirits. For example, shamans have sometimes demonstrated unusual acts that are difficult to explain merely by ordinary physical ability. The invisible spiritual world should not simply be ignored. If someone recognizes only what can be seen with the physical eyes and accepts only what fits within human knowledge, it becomes difficult to understand matters concerning the spiritual world. At the same time, we must not be deceived by spiritual phenomena simply because they appear supernatural.
When Adam was a man of spirit, he ruled over the animals. Scripture describes Adam naming the creatures, and it also records the serpent speaking with Eve. But after Adam disobeyed God, he became a man of flesh and his spirit died, and this spiritual communication was lost. Some people, however, have developed spiritual sensitivity in ways that do not belong to the truth of God but are associated with evil spirits. Through self-discipline and the help of evil spirits, people may reach the limits of human ability. But there is still a limit.
Moses, through the power of God, caused the waters of Egypt to turn to blood. The magicians could imitate the sign on a limited scale, but they could not do what Moses did throughout the land. Later, when Moses brought forth gnats from the dust, the magicians could no longer imitate the sign. No matter how much human beings develop magic, techniques, knowledge, or spiritual abilities, there is a limit. But there is no limit to the power of Almighty God. Even in matters of healing, there can be deception, exaggeration, tricks, or spiritual phenomena that are not the work of God. In some cases, symptoms may also be influenced by evil spirits. However, there are things that only God can do. No matter how advanced science and medicine become, and no matter how much human beings develop their abilities, there is a limit. Human beings cannot create life out of nothing. A dead life cannot be restored by human power. What is impossible for human beings is possible through the power of God.
The ten plagues also teach us about the consequences of evil. Exodus 20:5 says that God visits the iniquity of those who hate Him upon the children to the third and fourth generation. When parents oppose God or worship idols, the consequences can affect their descendants. Idolatry is not limited to physically bowing before an idol. A person may also make an idol of himself, his knowledge, possessions, or something else in his heart. Families that worship idols may experience various kinds of calamities. Children or grandchildren may be born blind, disabled, or with various conditions such as autism. There may also be a lack of peace and harmony in the family. The Word of God, however, is given so that those who hear it may examine themselves.
Even those who believe in God can encounter the kinds of spiritual lessons represented by these ten plagues. We can consider the process in several stages. God told Moses to throw down his staff before Pharaoh, and it became a serpent. The Egyptian magicians did something similar. But Moses’ serpent swallowed the serpents of the magicians. Why did God use a serpent in this sign? The serpent represents Satan. Pharaoh did not know God and opposed Him. Through the staff that was in Moses’ hand, God showed Pharaoh a sign that he could understand.
This also gives us a spiritual lesson. A person may first hear about God through someone else and begin a life of faith. Then that person may experience the solution of a problem or receive an answer to prayer. At first, he may think, “God truly helped me.” But as time passes, he may begin to think differently. He may wonder whether it was simply a coincidence. He may think his own knowledge, experience, ability, or the help of another person was responsible. Some people believe firmly after experiencing God’s work once. Others begin to believe only after facing a serious difficulty or calamity. Still others remain hardened even after experiencing such things. Like Pharaoh, they may continue to resist God and eventually go down the path of destruction.
If a person gradually falls back into the world and becomes distant from God, what happens? Instead of trusting God completely and giving thanks, the person begins to doubt or attribute what happened to coincidence. He may say, “God helped me, but my own ability, knowledge, and experience also played an important part.” Then the faith that remains is no longer firm. A problem that was once resolved may return. A disease that was healed may recur or become worse. A business problem that was solved may arise again. Jesus said to the man who had been sick for thirty-eight years and was healed, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” Therefore, after receiving grace and experiencing God’s work, we should not return to sin. We should continue faithfully before God.
Moses’ serpent swallowed the serpents of the magicians. Pharaoh therefore could not completely dismiss what had happened. He had seen that the power demonstrated through Moses was greater than that of his own magicians. Yet he still refused to obey. Then came the first plague. Moses struck the river with his staff, and the waters of Egypt turned to blood. Water is one of the things closest to human life and absolutely necessary for survival. Therefore, this plague represents a problem that directly affects everyday life. Imagine being unable to drink the water you need. The fish in the river die, the water smells, and everyday life becomes extremely difficult.
For a new believer, a test may likewise come through people who are very close—friends, parents, family members, relatives, or neighbors. Such things can be especially painful when faith is still weak. There are two cases in which such a test may come. First, temptation may come because there are forms of evil within us. In that case, when we recognize them, repent, and turn back, the problem can be resolved. Second, even when we are trying to believe in God and love Him, a test may come as Satan attempts to turn us away while our faith is still weak. In either case, we should discover and cast away evil, repent where necessary, and overcome the test with faith.
If we compromise with the world whenever temptation comes, we cannot fully experience the work of God. If we continue to compromise, we may eventually fall under the influence of Satan and drift away from God. God is alive. If we pray in faith, rejoice, give thanks, and refuse to compromise with the world, we can overcome temptation. Just as Moses’ serpent swallowed the magicians’ serpents, the power of Satan is under God’s authority. When Moses took hold of the serpent again, it became a staff. Likewise, even when Satan works, if we show faith and completely depend on God, God can restore what has been disturbed. Compromise is not faith. When temptation comes, we should rely completely on God and experience His power in overcoming it.
Trials can come even to people of faith. The apostle Paul faced many trials. Jesus Himself was tempted by the devil. The prophets were tested. Daniel was tested, and Daniel’s three friends were tested. But they did not compromise with the world. They relied on God, gave thanks, and continued in the truth. Through overcoming these trials, they were able to glorify God.
Jeremiah suffered greatly and was even imprisoned. Yet when Jerusalem was captured by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, Jeremiah received special treatment while many others were taken captive. God also tested Abraham by commanding him to offer his only son Isaac. This test did not come because Abraham had evil in him. Abraham obeyed without bringing in fleshly thoughts, blaming God, or resisting Him. When Abraham passed the test through obedience, he experienced the blessing of Jehovah Jireh. Therefore, for those who truly believe, a trial itself does not have to become a calamity.
We should distinguish between trials and calamities. God may allow trials, but calamity comes because there is fault and evil within us. When there is no fault, there may be a test, but not a calamity. Abraham was tested concerning Isaac, but the test did not end in calamity. Instead, he received a great blessing. Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den. That was a severe trial, but the lions did not kill him. Daniel’s three friends were thrown into the fiery furnace. Yet the fire did not burn them. God protected them, and in the end they received greater recognition and God was glorified.
Therefore, we should not allow a trial to become a calamity through our own wrongdoing. If calamity comes because of our fault, we should repent quickly, turn back thoroughly, pray, and show faith. It is better, however, not to encounter calamity in the first place. When the staff became a serpent, Moses took it up again and it became a staff. In the same way, when a problem is still small, restoration may come quickly when we turn back. But when a person continues until a great calamity comes, even if he later repents and is restored, there may still be consequences. Therefore, it is best to turn back quickly.
Now let us consider the second plague, the plague of frogs. The frog also represents Satan. Revelation 16:13 speaks of “three unclean spirits like frogs.” Frogs were unclean creatures under the Old Testament law. Many people also naturally find frogs unpleasant or disgusting. Imagine frogs crawling across your table, entering your bedroom, getting into your bed, and swarming through your kitchen. It would become difficult to eat or sleep. Exodus says that the frogs entered Pharaoh’s palace, bedrooms, beds, houses of the servants, and among the people. This shows that the plague affected everyone—high and low, rich and poor.
It also says that the frogs entered the ovens and kneading bowls. The kneading bowl is connected with daily bread, while the oven can be understood in relation to one’s means of livelihood, workplace, or business. Thus, when Satan works in the home, bedroom, workplace, business, or daily livelihood, life can become extremely difficult.
For example, a person may begin believing in Jesus and then suddenly experience serious conflict in the marriage. A husband may commit adultery and then blame his wife’s church attendance for his own sin. But attending church did not cause him to commit adultery. His wrongdoing was already his own. Such a situation may become a severe test within the home and marriage. Quarrels, separation, divorce, conflicts with parents, and many other difficulties may arise.
When such tests appear, they can also reveal what is within us. A person may have thought, “I love God. I believe in God. My hope is in heaven.” But when a severe test comes, he may discover how weak that love, faith, and hope actually were. If our faith is firm, God is still our Father even when circumstances are painful. Heaven still exists. Therefore, our faith, joy, and gratitude should not disappear merely because circumstances have changed. Through trials, we may discover how deeply we actually believe and how much our hope is truly in heaven.
If we discover evil within ourselves, repent, and stand rightly before God, Satan’s work can be driven away. But there are also cases in which a test is allowed even though it is not caused by a particular form of evil. If we are sincerely trying to love God, worship Him, and live faithfully, and a test still comes, we should overcome Satan’s work through prayer. Then God can work everything together for good and bring blessing from the trial. A husband may eventually come to church. A wife may receive Jesus. A family may become stronger in faith.
Therefore, if we truly have faith, we can rejoice, watch and pray, and give thanks even when trials come. A person who has evil within may find it difficult to rejoice. But one who has cast away evil can naturally rejoice, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in everything.
There are also cases in which a husband and wife begin a life of faith together, but one spouse becomes faithful while the other does not. Eventually a problem may come upon the family, the children, the business, or the person himself. The faithful spouse may also suffer because of the situation. But if that person remains thankful and believes that the other spouse may be changed through the experience and come into true faith, the family can eventually become a beautiful family that pleases God. Without such an opportunity, the person might have continued turning away from God. Therefore, if the difficulty becomes an opportunity to turn back, there is still reason to give thanks.
There are also cases in which a person has faith and is capable of serving God but becomes increasingly occupied with making money and worldly affairs. Even when the family already has sufficient income, the person may neglect the work of God because of worldly concerns. Then a test may come. Problems may arise in the spouse’s workplace, the spouse may begin to go astray, or the family may experience other difficulties. At such a time, the person should examine why these things have happened and whether something has become an idol in the heart.
If we have faith, worry and anxiety do not have to control us. When calamity comes, we should repent and turn back. When trials and tribulations come that are not calamities, we should examine whether we have done anything wrong. If we have, we should repent and correct it. If there is no wrongdoing to repent of, then we should overcome the trial through faith, allow God to work it together for good, give glory to Him, and receive blessing. Therefore, the essential issue is faith.