Dig a Little Deeper

Sin's deadly snare has the world enslaved to their sinful ways. However, through Christ's shed blood on the cross, we can be freed from the bondage of sin and live a life in freedom. Just as the Hebrew people found their way out of enslavement in Egypt, we can be rescued from the grip of sin through God's guidance.  Breaking the Chains of Bondage  After years of turmoil and harsh labor, the Hebrews finally had a sliver of hope when the Nile River turned to blood. God showed his power through the plagues, revealing the weakness of Egypt's gods. Even the mighty sun god, Ra, was proven powerless. Their freedom wasn't something they achieved for themselves. God rescued them. Similarly, we can also find freedom from sin. But, like the Hebrews, we can not free ourselves--it is only through Christ's blood that we can be free. Just as the Hebrews witnessed the defeat of Egypt's gods, we can witness Jesus' victory over sin and death. The Way of Salvation After le...

  The ripple effects of sin are undeniable – they carve a path of destruction through marriages, families, finances, and lives. When rebellion against God's word takes root, its devastation becomes evident. Pharaoh's stubbornness serves as a vivid portrayal of this truth. This war between God and Pharaoh as to who reigns supreme reaches its climax with this plague, which struck at the very heart of Pharaoh's kingdom and the Egyptian pantheon. The Son of Ra: Regarded as the Son of Ra, Pharaoh represented a deity in human form, his word was law. He was the middleman between the divine realm and Earth, entrusted with executing the gods' will. The firstborn of Pharaoh's lineage carried the promise of continuing this divine leadership, safeguarding Egypt's prosperity, and symbolizing the gods' favor. Death of the Firstborn: As Pharaoh's defiance persisted, the firstborns of Egypt were targeted for destruction. The "destroying angel" would pass throu...

Living in a fallen world hurts. Life takes us through times of despair as we grieve the impact this broken world has left on us. However, as believers, we are able to mourn with hope in the midst of our sorrow. As we look at ancient Egypt, they were left in ruin and mourning with no hope. That same sorrow is experienced by those who are separated from Christ, enduring the pain of a fallen world separated from the the source of of comfort and strength available in Christ. A Shattered Heart:  Grief barges into our lives unwelcome, no matter what someone's beliefs may be. Yet, for the unbeliever, this experience can plunge them into hopelessness. The demise of a loved one becomes a bleak end, a painful separation with no idea as to what is to come. As they confront this pain, the absence of hope makes each step heavy with despair. Believers: Navigating Grief with Hope:  For believers, grief's is not endured alone; rather, it is shared with a true sense of hope. Christ's resurr...

The tension escalates as a plague of darkness descends upon the land, challenging the king of the gods, Ra, the sun god. This plague, like the others, reveals the powerlessness of false gods against the sovereign might of the true Creator. Darkness Over the Land The ninth plague that befalls Egypt is a supernatural darkness, a darkness that could be felt. This supernatural darkness leaves the Egyptians unable to work--or even rise from their beds--feeling impending doom. Despite their devotion to Ra, his radiance proves futile against the darkness God brought upon the land. This plague illuminated the all-powerful control that the true God holds over creation.  The Light of the World The Genesis narrative unfolds as God creates light before the sun, and Revelation 21 tells of a city where God's glory outshines the need for sun and moon. This eternal light is found in Christ, who is the true light that darkness cannot conquer.  Even during the crucifixion as he breathes his fin...

  Christ's resurrection is the pivotal event that lies at the heart of Christianity. This triumph over death is rooted in historical accounts, backed by credible witnesses, and supported by centuries of theological study. The resurrection stands as the cornerstone of Christianity, showing Christ’s victory over death and securing the believer’s eternal security.   Osiris' resurrection, however, is merely in Egyptian mythology and is cyclical, symbolizing the regeneration of life and tied to the natural world. Christ's resurrection uniquely signifies triumph over death itself, offering believers the promise of eternal life beyond the earthly realm. Just Judgment and Moral Accountability: Both Christ and Osiris occupy positions of judgment in the afterlife. Christ will judge the living and the dead according to their deeds. The righteous’s deeds will be judged to receive rewards, and the wicked’s deeds will be judged to receive punishment. For we must all appear before the jud...

  God’s judgment against Pharaoh is almost complete. With each plague, Pharaoh’s stubborn grip tightens, his heart hardens, and his nation plunges further into despair. As the Egyptian gods crumble before the might of the Hebrew God's power, Pharaoh’s status as a god is shattering before all of Egypt. Osiris: A God's Defeat and a Nation's Crisis: As Pharaoh is faced with the warning of another plague, his calloused heart is unyielding as Egypt is on the brink of ruin. He is willing to watch his people suffer rather than submit to God. Even his own servants recognize the futility of defying the Hebrew God. Osiris, the god of agricultural fertility and the afterlife, was deeply intertwined with Egypt's worldview. Associated with judgment in the afterlife, Osiris played a critical role in weighing the hearts of the deceased against the feather of Ma'at. Yet, as the locusts devour the last of Egypt's crops, the mighty Osiris crumbles before the true and living God. ...

The ancient Egyptians worshiped the goddess Nut as the divine ruler of the sky. They believed she had dominion over weather and natural order. Yet, when the seventh plague struck Egypt with a devastating hailstorm, Nut was exposed as powerless and impotent in the face of divine judgment. The once-revered deity could not stop the destructive forces unleashed by the one true God, revealing the emptiness of Egypt's religious practices. However, Jesus' supremacy is evident from the outset. His life on Earth exemplified a perfect blend of integrity, compassion, and divine power. In the New Testament, we witness Jesus calming the raging storm at sea with a mere word, showcasing his dominion over nature. Unlike Nut, who was unable to protect her worshippers from destruction, Jesus proved himself as the ultimate protector and provider. Nut's realm of influence was limited to earthly matters, but Jesus, through his death and resurrection, provided a way for humanity to be reconciled...

The hailstorm shook ancient Egypt as it revealed Nut’s powerlessness.  God’s confrontation with Pharaoh was a relentless pursuit of his glory and his people’s liberation. This plague, number seven, strikes with an escalating intensity in this conflict between the true living God and Egypt’s pantheon of gods–in which Pharaoh was believed to be a part. As the hail and fire rain down from the heavens, we witness a display of God's unparalleled power and judgment, bringing devastation to man, beast, and crops alike. Nut: Goddess of the Sky The goddess Nut, the deity of the sky, whose supposed authority over weather and natural order is defeated. Despite her revered status among the Egyptians, Nut stands powerless before the destructive hailstorm. The plague serves as a powerful sign, undermining the credibility of Egypt's religious practices and further exposing the impotence of their gods. Fair Warning Like with previous plagues, we see God giving Pharaoh fair warning. He offers a...