Tenth Round KnockoutSample

His Providence

Plagues 4 and 5: Flies and Livestock

Soon after the gnats descended, more insects plagued Egypt: dense swarms of flies poured throughout the land. They were everywhere (debunking Uatchit, a god possibly represented by a fly). Have you ever tried to swat a fly? They go every which way, and there seems to be no logic to where they land. But these flies distinguished between Egyptians and Israelites. In His providence, God caused a terrible plague to thwart one people and spare another—He made distinction between His people and the Egyptians.

Pharaoh summoned Moses and offered this compromise: “Go, sacrifice to your God here in the land.” Pharaoh was saying that they could worship their God, but they had to do so in Egypt, as slaves. Moses declined, and Pharaoh refused the three-day journey of consequence, and instead offered another compromise: “I will let you go… but you must not go very far.” Then he asked Moses to pray for him! Moses prayed, and the flies left—every last one. But Pharaoh hardened his heart, and the plagues that demonstrated God’s providence were not yet complete.

God’s hand struck the livestock in the fields of Egypt with hail (judging Hathor, a goddess with a cow’s head). In an agrarian society, wealth was measured in livestock. Moses told Pharaoh that if he did not let the Israelites go, God would bring a terrible plague on the livestock grazing in the Egyptian fields—but no animal belonging to the Israelites would die. God set a deadline, but Pharaoh let it pass. The next day, all the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one animal belonging to the Israelites did. Economic disaster resulted, and once again the gods of Egypt proved no match for the provident God of Israel. His hand controlled wealth—something Pharaoh no doubt believed was under his control. Even so, his heart was unyielding, and he would not let the people go.

God’s power is also demonstrated in His providence. What is providence? It is overseeing guidance and direction. It means that His hand guides the nations, mankind and the times.

The Lord’s supreme ability to distinguish shows His care for His people. Every business in your industry may be declining, but if God wills it, yours could be on the upswing. Conversely, while others soar, God may have you crawl in order to show you something that can’t be found in the clouds.