Lambs were “an abomination” in Egypt, perhaps since the rule of the Hyksos “shepherd-kings.” There aren’t many days so momentous that they change the whole calendar, but this was one. “This month shall be your beginning of months;” said the Lord; “it shall be the first month of the year to you” (Ex 12:2). Up […]
This was the biggest test of his life, but he just wasn’t paying attention. His grade? An Ph I’m eager to tell the thrilling details of the Passover in Exodus 12, but I want first to retrace Pharaoh’s journey from the day Moses entered his palace. Here are his opening recorded words: “Who is the […]
This plague would be unique. Everyone must personally respond—for or against a lamb. Now we’re at the grand finale, preparing for the plague of all plagues. If we have been paying careful attention, we know what it is. It seems a very long time ago, but can you recall the first thing Moses was to […]
The psalmist warns us: “He will not always chide: neither will He keep His anger forever.” Exodus 11 begins like the sound of a pealing bell, ringing out across the countryside: “And the Lord said to Moses, ‘I will bring yet one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. Afterward he will let you go […]
Read More… from October 21, 2021 — Pharaoh, It’s Closing Time
Moses shows that we can be both meek and mighty. Meek isn’t weak; it’s strength in control. Although “the children of Israel had light in their dwellings” (Ex 10:23), for three long days, darker than the darkest night, the Egyptians had only time to think. What was Pharaoh thinking? We don’t have to guess. Here […]
Sometimes we can see things in the darkest times that may be easily overlooked in the light. Northwest of Cairo’s center and 60 feet below the surface lie the ruins of biblical On, later called Heliopolis (Sun City) by the Greeks. Here Joseph’s father-in-law, Poti-Pherah, served as a priest. This was the center of the […]
Read More… from October 19, 2021 — The Illuminating Darkness
Locust swarms can contain 4-8 billion, eating in a day what 3.5 million people would consume. As Exodus 10 opens, the Lord explains that these plagues are also lessons “that you may tell in the hearing of your son and your son’s son the mighty things I have done in Egypt” (v 2). Every generation […]
Read More… from October 18, 2021 — Pharaoh, What’s Eating You?
This was no child’s tale. They really felt as if the sky was falling—with nowhere to hide. I know this would not be your first choice in naming a daughter, but Nut, the sky goddess, was well connected in the pantheon of Egyptian false deities: granddaughter of Atum-Ra, daughter of Shu and Tefnut, wife of […]