God has a purpose or reason for all His works. For the same reason, each and every plague which God inflicted upon Pharaoh and Egypt had a very special reason and purpose for not only Pharaoh but for all generations after Pharaoh. What did those plagues mean that time and their relevance for us today?
5th Plague: Death of livestock – Exodus 9: 3-4
Cattle were a measure of wealth, financial security and source of nourishment. They were also used for purification rights and sacrifice for spiritual protection hence they stood for positive reforms or change. Farmers used them to till the soil and to carry farm produce. Their extinction symbolized an end to these blessings for the Egyptians but the Hebrews escaped this plague in the same land of Egypt. God’s anger brings an end to prosperity, hope and peace. Deuteronomy 15: 4-5 says the Lord will bless you and the land and there will be no poor among you if only you will obey his voice and do what he says.
Pharaoh faced regression because of his disobedience. The Jews however escaped this calamity to symbolize the divine protection under God’s care. We seek God’s protection through obedience and humility. Psalms 91: 1 says he that dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall dwell under the shadow of the almighty. We continue to hold on to what God wants us to let go and God’s plague will come upon us. John 1: 3 says all things were made through him, and without him was not anything that was made. Jesus is the hope for all good things.
6th Plague: Infestation of boils – Exodus 9: 8-11
The boils were symbolic of God’s judgment against Egypt’s health. It was to shame and expose the Egyptian gods of health as a sham. The boils were linked to other sores on the skin which became infectious and terminal. God permitted this plague to let Egypt to atone for its injustice against the Hebrews. God holds us personally accountable for our transgressions and sometimes extends it to our family and generations after us as a protracted curse because of some injustice we may not be aware of.
We cannot disrespect or disobey our doctor on matters of health yet expect him to attend to our health needs. The gods and powers we rely on or consult cannot help us but only Jesus. Pharaoh’s magicians and gods were exposed as they could not replicate the wonders. Psalms 103: 2-3 say bless the Lord, O my soul; and forget not his benefits, who forgive all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases. Psalms 147: 3 says he heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds. Isaiah 30: 26 says he heals the wounds inflicted by his blow. Jesus said in Luke 8: 50 fear not; only believe, and she will be well.
Only God will heal us through Christ Jesus our Lord. Believing includes living in righteousness and doing the will of God then he would be merciful on us. What illness or sickness or affliction are we facing? Jesus says he needs our obedience, humility and total surrender to him with faith then we can wash ourselves in his pool of blood for our cleansing and healing and health. Let us take a step of faith now.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, we have reached the threshold for a positive change from sin to righteousness. We can no longer abuse the divine privilege so be merciful to us in your judgment against our health issues because of unconfessed sins. Wash us in your blood and hear us in your holy name, Amen!!
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