Daily Lesson for February 3, 2020

Today’s Daily Lesson comes from Exodus chapter 9 verses 9 and 10:

9 The Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh will not listen to you, in order that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.” 10 Moses and Aaron performed all these wonders before Pharaoh; but the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the people of Israel go out of his land.

St. Augustine had a brilliant commentary on the Scripture in which he reflected on the sun and noted how it melts wax but hardens clay. The sun is the same; but it does different things to different substances depending on their properties.

The LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart like clay.  Though the LORD gave Pharaoh every opportunity, the substance of Pharaoh’s heart could not be melted. It wasn’t in him to soften.

So then ultimately there would be no changing Pharaoh. His heart was hard; and the presence of the LORD’s light would only make it harder.

For Pharaoh there will simply be no bargaining, no wilting, and no change. And the sooner Moses and Aaron and the people realize that the better.

Let those with ears to hear let them listen . . .

NOTE: We are reading the whole Bible together this year.  Tomorrow’s Daily Lesson will come from Exodus chapters 16 through 18.