Little Messages with Big Impact
The plagues in Egypt were not random acts of judgment; they carried a deeper purpose. God made it clear that every miracle had one aim: that His name and power would be known. Pharaoh’s stubbornness became the backdrop for God’s wonders to shine brighter. What looked like resistance was actually the stage for revelation. God’s power is never about spectacle-it’s always about revealing who He is.
God made it clear that His wonders in Egypt weren’t just about delivering Israel in the moment-they were also about building a testimony for future generations. He wanted parents to pass on the stories of His power so that their children and grandchildren would know that He alone is the Lord. Faith grows when it’s rooted in remembrance. What God does in your life today is not only for you, but also for those coming after you.
Pharaoh’s stubbornness may have seemed like a roadblock, but God revealed something deeper: even Pharaoh’s resistance was being used to display God’s power. Though Pharaoh exalted himself as ruler, God reminded him that his very position existed to serve a higher purpose-to showcase the justice and mercy of the living God. What looked like unchecked arrogance was actually a stage for God’s glory.
As the plagues swept through Egypt, one detail stood out-while the Egyptians suffered, the Israelites in Goshen were untouched. God placed a mark of distinction between His people and those who opposed Him. It wasn’t because Israel was stronger or more deserving; it was because they belonged to Him. This moment revealed a timeless truth: God knows how to protect, preserve, and set apart those who are His.
When the plagues fell on Egypt, Pharaoh’s magicians tried their best to copy God’s wonders. For a while, they succeeded in imitating some of the signs. But when the plague of gnats came, even they had to admit defeat: “This is the finger of God.” In that moment, God’s power was undeniable. The magicians-trained experts in deception and manipulation-could no longer explain away what was happening. It was clear: only the living God could do this.
Pharaoh witnessed the power of God firsthand, yet his pride kept him from listening. Each time Moses and Aaron spoke God’s Word, Pharaoh resisted. What started as stubbornness became hardness of heart. Pride has that effect-it blinds us to truth and makes us cling to control, even when surrender would bring freedom. Pharaoh’s example reminds us of the danger of repeatedly rejecting God’s voice: the more we resist, the harder our hearts can become.
At first glance, genealogies in the Bible can feel like lists of hard-to-pronounce names with little meaning. But passages like Exodus 6 remind us that every name matters to God. He chose to record the family lines of Levi, Amram, Moses, and Aaron-not because they were perfect, but because they were part of His unfolding story. God is not just concerned about nations and kings; He is intentional about individuals. Each name represents a life He created, loved, and purposed.
After Pharaoh hardened his heart and the Israelites’ suffering increased, Moses felt discouraged. But God didn’t change His mind. Instead, He reminded Moses of His covenant promise: “I will redeem you.” That word redeem means to buy back, to rescue at a cost, to free the enslaved. God wanted His people to know that He was not only aware of their pain but also committed to their freedom. He is the God who redeems, and nothing-not even Pharaoh’s power-could stop His plan.
Moses obeyed God’s call and went to Pharaoh with boldness, but instead of freedom, the Israelites faced harsher slavery. Pharaoh increased their burdens, and the people turned against Moses. Confused and discouraged, Moses cried out, “Why is it you have sent me?” Have you ever been there, obeying God, only to find that things seem to get worse instead of better?
After all the excuses and doubts, Moses finally stood before Pharaoh-the most powerful man in the world at that time. With nothing but a staff in his hand and the word of the Lord in his mouth, he declared: “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: Let My people go.” This was no small act. It was boldness born not from Moses’ confidence in himself, but from confidence in the God who had sent him.