RUSSELL SANDERS

11-5-2024

THE LIFE OF MOSES – LESSON 15

THE PLAGUE OF FLIES

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Following the third plague, which was the lice, some changes occurred. The magicians told Pharaoh that this was the hand of God, and they were helpless to intervene. This surely caught Pharaoh’s attention knowing he could no longer get help from the magicians or their gods. There was a change in how the plagues came. No longer would Aaron strike anything with his rod. Moses would now simply speak it to Pharaoh, and it would happen the next day. Why the next day? So that Pharaoh would know it was directly from God as Moses spoke it.

Another change starting with the fourth plague was that the Hebrews would be unaffected by the plagues. Goshen, where they lived, would be free from the plagues as the God of the Hebrews protects them.

Moses arose up early in the morning so he could be at the river when Pharaoh arrived there as was his daily custom. He told the king that there would be a grievous swarm of flies, but that Jehovah was going to give Pharaoh a unique sign that would show a clear separation between the Hebrews and the Egyptians. The sign would be that no Hebrews would have to deal with the flies as the plague would be upon Egyptians only.

The flies came in swarms to all Egyptians. They filled their houses and corrupting everything. Corrupting? Yes! Where there are flies, there are maggots. The flies lay eggs which hatch into maggots that spoiled their food supplies. The flies themselves were a terrible nuisance, besides the maggots.

Pharaoh calls in Moses and Aaron in Exodus 8:25 and said, “Go ye, sacrifice to your God (Elohiym) in the land.” Yes, he said “Elohiym” the generic form, and not “Jehovah” the personal Hebrew form of God.” He also said “in the land” which meant there in Egypt, not in the wilderness as requested. He was trying to compromise with Moses.

Moses told him that if they did it in the land, the Egyptians would see it as an abomination to their gods and they would stone the Hebrews. Pharaoh relented and said they could go just a little way into the wilderness, not the three days for which Moses asked.

Another difference was that this time Pharaoh asked Moses to pray for him in verse 28 where it said, “intreat for me.” It seems he may be beginning to believe in the power of this Hebrew God. Moses intreated God and all the flies (and maggots) immediately disappeared. As soon as they were gone Pharaoh again reneged on his word.

What Egyptian god was defamed as being shown powerless to intervene over the flies? It was Khepri, the Egyptian god that had the head of a fly. Khepri was also seen as a god of creation, the movement of the sun, and rebirth, yet was powerless to control the flies. Note: Egyptian gods often were credited with multiple functions.

HELEN SANDERS

11-5-2024

BEING A FRUITFUL WITNESS

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The last words ever spoken by someone are always important. This is true with Jesus also. After Jesus rose from the dead he was with his disciples for forty days. In Matthew 28 we see Jesus sent his disciples away from Galilee into a mountain. He would ascend into heaven from that mountain. These eleven that were with him were not scholars. They were not learned in schooling. They were common men that had been with Jesus for three years. He trained them, discipled them, and prepared them for their assignments.

In verses 19 and 20 his last words gave them instructions. “Go ye [in going go] therefore, and teach [to disciple, to instruct, to teach] all nations [ethnos – all people] baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world [age, eternal, perpetuity].”

The Christian walk is not a stagnant walk. It is a walk of faith, sharing what God has done in our lives with others. This sharing is called being a witness. Every one of us are required to bring forth fruit. In John 15 it says those that do not bring forth fruit [reproducing themselves] are cast off the vine that connects us to Jesus.

Jesus takes fruitfulness very seriously. Just like in human reproduction, a seed must be planted to bring forth new life, so must we plant seeds through our witness into others to bring forth salvation and new life. 

Proverbs 11:30 says, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”

 If we are not sharing with others what God has done for us, we must repent and be determined to be a witness for Jesus. Just think of this: If everyone that calls himself a Christ brought one soul into the Kingdom of God, there would be a revival like no other. Will it start with you?

APOSTLE PAT MURRAY

PROPHETIC EXHORTATION

Remember your smile is the light that shines brightly from the window of your soul; And it’s there you can show others that your heart is at home...So just SMILE. I’m glad that in the midst of all life’s struggles and disappointments; That our faithful Father God will put a SMILE on our face…And a song of praise in our heart. Yes, it’s true that only God can take your bad pain and turn it into great gain. In fact our loving Lord can and He WILL take ALL your life's ashes and turn them into your most beautiful learning experience. Oh, what a Lord and Savior we have in Jesus. So today try to give everyone you meet your biggest and your most genuine SMILE; For it will encourage others that...Your heart was at home yesterday, it WILL be at home today and tomorrow…And with God’s help it will be there in stormy days to come. So SMILE.

DEBRA TOPE

SEER/INTERCESSOR

Tuesday Thought For Today

There has never been a more important time than right now for us to do what this scripture says. I remember reading a Billy Graham brochure that said “keep small accounts with Jesus.” Don’t wait til you have a lot of sins to confess but make it a daily practice to deal with any sin issues.



That is what Peter is saying also. When you know you have sinned repent, confess your sin and be washed by the blood of Jesus. When you follow this guide for your life, the Holy Spirit will be there teaching and helping you.

“Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.””

‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭2‬:‭38‬-‭39‬ ‭NLT‬‬

 Come to the Throne HCC

Oh taste, oh see!

A Christian I will be.

Christ died for me,

My sins forever, he set me free.

Are you blind, can’t you see?

This Jesus, his love for you and me.

 He walked the Earth, have faith, believe!

This man, this man, from Galilee.

This Savior of mine, God's only son.

So perfect, so kind, on the cross he hung.

Such suffering and he died, he died for me.

This Christ is real, not made of stone.

He breathes, he feels, come to his throne.

This Man of Israel has love for all.

He was born so little and so very small.

But grew to be the Savior for all,

 A gift of Love, a gift from above.

 So, smile and know, your Savior lives.

He’ll be here soon, tell others of him.

Pray they believe, this Christ who lives,

Israel’s own, please come to the Throne.

To see more of HCC's beautiful poems on YouTube click here

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