I found it helpful after reading these chapters in Exodus to follow by reading Mathew Henry's commentary.
Pharaoh showed himself to be a terribly stubborn man, steeped in sin. He selfishly wanted the plagues to go away, but cared nothing about God. Mathew Henry said it best: "Pharaoh employs Moses and Aaron to pray for him. There are those, who, in distress, seek the help of other people's prayers, but have no mind to pray for themselves. They show thereby that they have no true love to God, nor any delight in communion with him. Pharaoh desires only that this death might be taken away, not this sin. He wishes to get rid of the plague of locusts, not the plague of a hard heart, which was more dangerous."
Forgive me for copying his wording, but I couldn't have written it nearly as well, and totally agreed. We see that in our own lives, where people ask for prayer or help from Christians or churches, but their hearts are hardened against the Almighty God who provides rescue. Such a mission field!
I think of the "sinners prayer" We can not apologize for someone's sin or have someone apologize for us. One must come to the Lord ones self seeking forgiveness.. yes? (The only reason we can do that is because of Jesus!!!)
Also God hardened Pharaoh's heart..... Dose He do that now that people may see Him at work in the end and to God be the glory! ? love it!!!
I found it helpful after reading these chapters in Exodus to follow by reading Mathew Henry's commentary.
ReplyDeletePharaoh showed himself to be a terribly stubborn man, steeped in sin. He selfishly wanted the plagues to go away, but cared nothing about God. Mathew Henry said it best: "Pharaoh employs Moses and Aaron to pray for him. There are those, who, in distress, seek the help of other people's prayers, but have no mind to pray for themselves. They show thereby that they have no true love to God, nor any delight in communion with him. Pharaoh desires only that this death might be taken away, not this sin. He wishes to get rid of the plague of locusts, not the plague of a hard heart, which was more dangerous."
Forgive me for copying his wording, but I couldn't have written it nearly as well, and totally agreed. We see that in our own lives, where people ask for prayer or help from Christians or churches, but their hearts are hardened against the Almighty God who provides rescue. Such a mission field!
I think of the "sinners prayer" We can not apologize for someone's sin or have someone apologize for us. One must come to the Lord ones self seeking forgiveness.. yes? (The only reason we can do that is because of Jesus!!!)
ReplyDeleteAlso God hardened Pharaoh's heart..... Dose He do that now that people may see Him at work in the end and to God be the glory! ? love it!!!