No Negotiation! (part 1 of 4)

In some areas of life there is room for negotiation. The terms of a loan may be negotiated. We may negotiate the terms relating to employment hours or compensation for extra tasks performed. A student may even negotiate terms with a teacher for the opportunity to make up work and improve a grade. However, when God has established His plans -- when He has stated His Will -- there is NO ROOM FOR NEGOTIATION!

God sent Moses to Egypt for the purpose of freeing His people from under the slavery of Pharaoh. Through the ten plagues, God's power was displayed in a manner revealing there was (and is) no other like Him! God encouraged Moses by revealing to him Pharaoh would ultimately send the Israelites packing.

We read. . .
"(1) But the LORD said to Moses, 'Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh; for with a strong hand he will send them out, and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land.'" ( Exodus 6:1 ESV)

However, at first, Pharaoh refused to give an inch in allowing the people to leave. Though Pharaoh would eventually try to NEGOTIATE three concessions for allowing the Israelites to go out into the desert to worship God, his first NEGOTIATIONS were clearly NOT IN GOOD FAITH.

First God sent the plague of blood, but PHARAOH WAS NOT IMPRESSED. He just turned around and went back into his palace. ( Exodus 7:23) God sent frogs and the Egyptian ruler said the people could go, BUT then CHANGED HIS MIND. Then came the gnats, but Pharaoh would not listen. We will consider the fourth, eighth, and ninth plagues over the next few days, but with the fifth (death of the livestock), the sixth (boils), and the seventh (hail), Pharaoh's heart was described as unyielding, his ear as un-listening, and his promise again not offered in good faith.

Here is the thing for us to consider! ARE WE IMPRESSED WITH THE POWER OF GOD? DO WE ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS NO OTHER LIKE HIM? Then let us KEEP THE COMMITMENTS we have made to Him. May we FOLLOW THROUGH with our responses to God's great love and faithfulness.

Have a great day LISTENING TO GOD!
Carl

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[This focus was originally sent 01/23/2001 (edited some with passage changed to ESV)]

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