Guest Speaker: Sherry Forester
Audio will be posted on October 18.
Plagues That Preach
Exodus 7:14-8:32
I. God’s Sovereignty Demonstrated
Why did God send the plagues?
1) Confirm the Egyptian gods were nothing.
2) Compel Pharaoh to free the Israelites from slavery.
3) Convince Pharaoh that God is the only sovereign.
2) Compel Pharaoh to free the Israelites from slavery.
3) Convince Pharaoh that God is the only sovereign.
• 7:14-25 1st plague – water turned to blood
“Forever, O Lord, your word is settled in heaven.” PS 119:89
“The sum of your word is truth.” PS 119:160
“All scripture is breathed out by God.” 2 TIM 3:16
“The sum of your word is truth.” PS 119:160
“All scripture is breathed out by God.” 2 TIM 3:16
• 8:1-15 2nd plague – frogs
• 8:16-19 3rd plague – gnats
• 8:20-32 4th plague – flies
• 8:16-19 3rd plague – gnats
• 8:20-32 4th plague – flies
◦ v.22 God separated His people
• 8:25-32 Pharaoh tried 2 compromises
◦ First compromise – v.25
• “Sacrifice to your God but stay here in Egypt”
◦ “Do you not know that friendship with the world means enmity with God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” James 4:4
◦ Second compromise – v.28-29
◦ Second compromise – v.28-29
• “I’ll let you go to sacrifice to your God but do not go very far away”
God controls all circumstances to demonstrate His absolute sovereignty over everyone and everything.
II. God’s Sovereignty Declared
Did God harden Pharaoh’s heart, or did Pharaoh harden his own heart?
If God hardened Pharaoh’s heart and Pharaoh hardened his own heart how can both be true?
If God hardened Pharaoh’s heart and Pharaoh hardened his own heart how can both be true?
1) Pharaoh hardened his own heart.
• “Pharaoh hardened his heart and did not listen to them.” (8:15)
• “Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also.” (8:32)
• “Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also.” (8:32)
◦ Pharaoh resisted God’s authority, but he could not overthrow God’s sovereignty.
2) God knew what Pharaoh would do.
• “Pharaoh will not listen to you.” (7:4)
• “Pharaoh’s heart will be unyielding.” (7:14 )
• Romans 1:18, 21-22
• “Pharaoh’s heart will be unyielding.” (7:14 )
• Romans 1:18, 21-22
3) God hardened Pharaoh’s heart.
• “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.” Proverbs 21:1
• At the burning bush: “I will harden Pharaoh’s heart so that he will not let the people go.” Exodus 4:21
• For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth” Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. Romans 9:17-18
• At the burning bush: “I will harden Pharaoh’s heart so that he will not let the people go.” Exodus 4:21
• For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth” Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. Romans 9:17-18
4) Summary: Pharaoh hardened his heart in rebellion; God hardened Pharaoh’s heart in judgment; and through both, God accomplished His sovereign purpose.
Every response to God strengthens your faith or hardens your heart.
“Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.” Proverbs 28:14
“Today if you hear God’s voice, do not harden your heart.” Hebrews 3:7-8b
God is sovereign. He is constantly working behind-the-scenes in ways we cannot see or understand.