I love how conversational the book of Exodus is. The Israelites’ whole journey of deliverance is marked by God’s steady presence and clear words of instruction spoken to His people through Moses. Or directly to Pharoah, through Moses. It never ceases to amaze me. As I’m sure you’ve experienced, there are so many times in life when God’s presence feels like more of a mystery. But in today’s passage, we know exactly what God is thinking—or at least what He wants to communicate to Pharaoh—because He says it.
“No flies will be there,” says God. “This way you will know that I, the LORD, am in the land” (Exodus 8:22). This statement makes me chuckle. It’s such a practical thing to say, isn’t it? There’s nothing that feels mysterious or mystical about flies. It’s just the way God chooses to reveal His presence to Pharaoh and assure him that His people are set apart from the others. The story continues, and so does this pattern. “Tomorrow the LORD will do this thing in the land,” says God yet again to the Egyptian leader as the plagues continue to unfold (Exodus 9:5). And it comes to pass. Over and over and over.
This phrase “the LORD [is] in the land” got me thinking: When do I know the Lord is near and present in my surroundings? Is there evidence? Some sign that I, and others, can see or hear? An indescribable deep knowing? Is it different every time, or are there patterns? Are there ways that God consistently reveals Himself to me?
I think there are. Even though the Holy Spirit is always with believers, there still seem to be moments that strike us or when we have an intimate sense of God’s presence and active movement in our lives. For me, it has to do with places full of green pastures and water—or certain words that get repeated often. It’s probably different for you. What we do know from Scripture is that God is with us and always at work, and He wants us to know it. He’ll even make sure our enemies know it, as we see through God’s exchanges with Pharaoh.
How can you tell when God’s “in the land?” Are there patterns to the ways He reminds you of His presence and redeeming work in your life?
I love beautiful flowers. I love them in vases, in gardens, surrounding a beautiful home. This simple beauty in daily life is where I see God in the land.
Pharaoh was just so manipulative. He was telling God what He wanted to hear just to get God to do what he desired. Let this be a warning to us, to not believe the lie that we can manipulate our Creator just to get what we want from Him. I wonder if God listening to him through Aaron & Moses boosted his ego in a sense. ‘Even this God listens to & obeys me.’ God obviously wasn’t being controlled by Pharaoh. Although he didn’t know it, God was using Pharaoh in His great plan to free the people.
I can you tell God’s “in the land” when I see the sunrise & set.
He reminds me of His presence and redeeming work in my life when the Spirit reminds me of God’s past faithfulness & goodness to me, the Spirit reminds me of God’s Word, & when the Spirit convicts me of sin.
As I was reading today, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the part where the Egyptian magicians also brought frogs into Egypt, because aren’t they just adding to their problem? It doesn’t mention if they tried to remove the frogs but I would think they would try to. On the other hand, it does mention they couldn’t produce the gnats.
I love how Moses is showing God’s trustworthiness and follow through by removing the plagues as Pharoah “appeals” to God, but how Pharoah is the opposite and doesn’t follow through.
I am reminded of God’s work in my life when the same lessons, phrases and themes start to appear as reminders of encouragement and hope. Sometimes the messages are so well timed and specific to what I need to hear/read, and they’ll go together even though they’re from completely different sources. Sometimes I feel His presence near me too, and I can’t describe it in words but I just feel full of peace when I feel Him. :)
Through my entire life, I have always been able to identify when God is active in my life. I’ve overcome and been sparred in so many ways. I know for a fact that I have a very special relationship with God and that I am His precious child. I definitely view my relationship with God like that of a relationship with a parent. I’m not always “calling” or “visiting” but I never forget, forsake, or stay away for long. I’m always appreciating the blessings that I’ve been given and “call home” to say thank you or for help and guidance when it gets too much.
I love when God’s presence is so clear and heavy in the room. But just to know He is ALWAYS With us! Amazing! He NEVER leaves us, even if it doesn’t “feel” like it!
Have you ever wondered when God has clearly shown what he wants for you, but there seems to be so many obstacles in the way? When focusing on God instead of the obstacles, we move through excepting God’s timing instead of our own. God is allowing us to see his power! And each obstacle and miracle reveals we are on the right path.
Anyone else see how by plague 4 Moses did the talking with Pharaoh…not Aaron?! God did not leave Moses in his weakness when he first met “I AM”. I’m encouraged by that!
Also, I see the Lord daily in the community of God fearing friends and families He has surrounded me & my family with!
I too Krista Darcus feel God’s good presence when I feel peace in stressful situations. I also am reminded that he is near and hears me whenever I get an immediate answer to a question bouncing around in my head. In moments like those I try to remember to stop & say a prayer of thanksgiving.