Plague of Livestock, mixed
media by Yvette Rock
Reflection
by Don Schwager
In the fifth sign, the plague of the destruction of the Egyptians' cattle
and other livestock, God again makes a distinction between those who serve
him and those who serve idols, sparing the livestock of the Israelites.
Pharoah put a higher value on his livestock than on the Israelites whom
he maltreated as slaves. Because of his stubborn pride and refusal to serve
God, he is now dispossessed of his cattle and livestock. This plague is
more severe than the previous plagues because the loss of livestock threatens
the livelihood of the Egyptians.
Jesus issues a similar warning to those who put their trust in possessions
rather than in God. In the parable of the rich fool he says: "`Fool! This
night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose
will they be?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich
toward God." (Luke 11:20-21)
"Lord Jesus, you are my treasure and there is nothing more that I desire
besides you. Take possession of my heart, that I may find joy, contentment,
and refuge in you alone." |
Plague
of livestock
Exodus 9
1 Then the LORD said to Moses,
"Go in to Pharaoh, and say to him, `Thus says the LORD, the God of the
Hebrews, "Let my people go, that they may serve me. 2 For if you refuse
to let them go and still hold them, 3 behold, the hand of the LORD will
fall with a very severe plague upon your cattle which are in the field,
the horses, the asses, the camels, the herds, and the flocks. 4 But the
LORD will make a distinction between the cattle of Israel and the cattle
of Egypt, so that nothing shall die of all that belongs to the people of
Israel."'" 5 And the LORD set a time, saying, "Tomorrow the LORD will do
this thing in the land." 6 And on the morrow the LORD did this thing; all
the cattle of the Egyptians died, but of the cattle of the people of Israel
not one died.
7 And Pharaoh sent, and behold,
not one of the cattle of the Israelites was dead. But the heart of Pharaoh
was hardened, and he did not let the people go.
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