Exodus 8-11
Bringing Hardships on Ourselves

God was ready to bring His people out of Egyptian captivity and into the land promised to Abraham. The only problem was Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, was not ready to let them go. He "hardened his heart" (Exodus 8:15). In truth, God knew the proud ruler would answer such a request this way, and in this way God hardened Pharaoh's heart (Exodus 4:21). Still, Pharaoh had a choice-and he chose poorly. He rejected more than ten opportunities to bring himself into alignment with the will of God.

Where did his choice lead? Exodus 7:14-25 details the turning of the Nile to blood; 8:1-15, the plague of frogs; 8:16-19, the coming of lice; 8:20-32, the plague of flies; 9:1-7, the death of livestock; 9:8-12, painful boils coming on the people; 9:13-35 tells of the falling of hail; 10:1-20, the devastating locust; 10:21-29, darkness across the land; and finally, 12:29-30, the death of the firstborn of all the land.

In most cases, Pharaoh said he would acquiesce to God demands; but save for the last time, he always changed his mind and "hardened his heart." Pharaoh not only suffered, but his people-those he was supposed to care for-suffered as well. They endured lice, boils, hail and darkness. Their firstborn died. He and his people suffered terribly, all because of his stubborn refusal to obey God. In the end, Pharaoh likely even lost his life.

There is really no other way to put it-sometimes we are stupid. Sometimes we disregard all guidance and wisdom and plow head-strongly forward, regardless of the consequences. We refuse to control our tempers, our passions, our finances, our children, our time, our tongues, our interests... the list goes on and on, doesn't it? We suffer for our mistakes, but we often don't learn from them. We ignore God's warnings from His word and pleas from those who care about us. Doggedly, we press on in our willful rebellion. In doing so, we only hurt ourselves-and others. Lives are ruined, families are destroyed, and a path of destruction often is all that is left.

Proverbs 1:28-33, penned under inspiration, states, "Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, they would have none of my counsel and despised my every rebuke. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled to the full with their own fancies. For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them..." That sounds dire, doesn't it? But, the passage closes with a hint of hope, "...but whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil."

Are you listening to the wisdom of God today? Are you striving to reign in your will? Will you take it seriously before it is too late and you suffer for it? Or, worse yet, others suffer as well?

"Prince of peace, control my will! Bid this struggling heart be still; Bid my fears and doubtings cease-hush my spirit into peace. May Thy will, not mine be done; may Thy will and mine be one; chase these doubtings from my heart; now Thy perfect peace impart. Savior, at Thy feet I fall; Thou my life, my God, my All; let Thy happy servant be one for evermore with Thee. Amen."