Author: jritchey28

Locusts

Locusts

I wonder if you have ever tried to tell someone something they needed to hear, and they simply would not listen.  Perhaps you’ve tried to warn someone of a trajectory they are on, and though they may acknowledge it for a time, they are still drawn to the same patterns.  We see that in the case of Pharaoh, as Moses continues to warn him about his sin and rebellion against God.  As he continues to afflict the people of God, he takes a stand against God Himself.  

In Exodus 10:1-20, we see the plague of the locusts.  As Moses warns of the plague if God’s people are not allowed to go and serve the Lord, Pharaoh even seems to convince himself that Moses is asking not for all of God’s people to be allowed to go, but only the men.  We see Pharoah descending further and further into irrationality.  Sin does this–it causes men to do anything they can to avoid what is true.  

As the plague of the locusts falls upon the land, it brings utter desolation.  The locusts destroy even the crops that were left after the plague of the hail.  You may have at some point read a work of post-apocalyptic fiction.  Even what is described in those books can’t compare to the desolation that has fallen in this chapter on the land of Egypt.  

Pharaoh is driven once again to acknowledge his sin, but we are told he does so hastily.  He has not truly grappled with the fact that his sin has offended a holy God.  He does not go truly to the Lord for mercy.  One of the privileges of the Christian life is confession of sin–in God’s grace and kindness we may go to the Lord for mercy, knowing that Christ has paid for our sins.  But Pharaoh will not turn from self unto the Lord.  

Even in the midst of this, we are driven once again to the hope of the Gospel.  It is implicit in the passage that the plague does not fall upon the people of God.  The people of God are spared by His grace.  All of these plagues are of the judgment of God, and they point to a more severe judgment–eternal judgment.  The Good News of the Gospel is that Christ has stood condemned for His people so that His own would be spared and would have the hope of life, not having to endure the eternal despair to which this passage points. 

Join us this week as we consider these things more fully.  We meet for worship at 5 PM at The Commons at St. Andrews’ Church.  If you need directions, contact us, or click here for more information.  You can also watch on FacebookLive@RiverCityARP or on YouTube. 

Hail

Hail

There have been some storms in history that have been described as historic. Hurricane Katrina is one clear example that comes to mind. While this next example may not quite be considered historic, I can remember being in Jackson, Mississippi in 2013 when baseball sized hailstones fell upon the ground, causing much damage to property. It’s hard to forget an event like that one.

In the book of Exodus in the seventh plague, God sends an historic storm upon the land of Egypt. Pharaoh has persisted in his rebellion against God, and he has refused to let the people of God go. In persecuting the people of God, Pharaoh has blasphemed God Himself. The plague of the hail represents something of a turning point, as it is the most severe of the plagues yet, and as it is directed toward Pharaoh and his servants.

The passage is really a terrifying one. We see destruction, but we also see judgment upon Pharaoh as his heart is further hardened against God. Yet even in a passage like this one which warns against the hardening of one’s heart and warns of judgment for sin, we also see the kindness of God. The hailstones do not fall upon His people–they are spared by His grace and mercy; however, there are also some Egyptians who heed the Word of God and take refuge.

The judgment of hail points us to a greater judgment–the wrath of God against sin. But the Good News is that there is a refuge to be found in Jesus Christ, the Savior of sinners. He has been our refuge from the wrath and curse of God by bearing it Himself. In His death, He has satisfied justice and exhausted the wrath of God for His people. We see in His resurrection that He has been triumphant over sin, death and hell. Refuge is found in Him. Do not harden your heart as did Pharaoh, but rather run for refuge to the true Shelter from the storm of judgment, Jesus Christ. There you will find all that you need.

Join us this Lord’s Day for worship at 5 PM at The Commons at St. Andrews Church in Little Rock as we consider these truths more fully. If you need directions, click here or contact us for more information. You can also watch on FacebookLive@RiverCityARP or on YouTube.

Prayer Meeting this Lord’s Day at 11 AM

Prayer Meeting this Lord’s Day at 11 AM

We will meet together for prayer meeting this Lord’s Day at the Phillips’ home at 11 AM. If you need directions, contact us. This time will be followed by a fellowship meal. Please consider bringing a dish to share.

Prayer is vital to the life of a congregation, and the Lord uses prayer in powerful ways. Would you consider joining us for this important time of prayer and fellowship?

God’s Power Over the Frogs

God’s Power Over the Frogs

Human sinful pride is destructive.  If you look across the history of the world, you will see that the downfall of many came at a time in which they were most proud.  Great novels in Western literature have emphasized the destructive nature of pride.  And of course, the Bible, God’s Word emphasizes again and again how deadly pride can be.  

Egypt’s Pharaoh during the time of Hebrew captivity was a proud man.  He imagined himself to be a god and when confronted by Moses and Aaron in Exodus 5, verse 2 records his response: “Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go?”  This is the height of pride and hard-heartedness.  

But Exodus 8:10 corrects this, when Moses says, “There is no one like the LORD our God.”  Pharaoh is not God.  And the plague of frogs sent upon him and the Egyptians makes this abundantly clear.  As Bible scholars have noted, the ancient Egyptian fertility god would have been portrayed as a frog.  But as we see God send the frogs upon the Egyptians, it highlights that He is the Creator of frogs and that He governs all that they do.  The fact that He had restrained the frogs from this sort of invasion for so long indicates His power over them.  And the fact that they will go into Egypt at His command indicates this same power.  The gods of Egypt were no gods at all, and Pharaoh was no god at all.  

As our other pastor has reminded us, the plagues are rightly referred to as Mighty Acts of God.  They emphasize His power and might.  They emphasize that He alone is worthy to be worshiped, and when evil men hinder His people worshiping Him as He commands, the Lord defends His people.  

The story only becomes more tragic as Pharaoh’s heart grows more hardened against God.  One imagines some of the evil kings of Shakespearean tragedies who grow more and more oppressive and proud until their downfall.  In the case of Pharaoh, he not only oppresses the people, but his heart is set against God Himself.  

As we consider this, there are certainly warnings for us to heed.  It is a dangerous thing to harden our hearts against God.  But we also are reminded of God’s mercy.  We also were once set against God, determined to live for our own glory.  Yet God is the redeemer from the plague of sin and its curse. Christ has come into the world bearing that curse so that we might  be set right with God.  And we are made in His mercy and kindness able to love Him and to follow and worship Him.  

We were also reminded last week that hard heartedness need not have the last word.  If you are hardening your heart against God, won’t you see His kindness, His steadfast mercy and grace in Jesus Christ and turn to Him while there is still time?  Do not be as Pharaoh who saw the work of God all around him and still refused to worship Him.  Rather, repent,  run to Him, trust in Jesus Christ and you will be delivered from something far greater than frogs; you will be delivered from eternal judgment and will have hope for eternity.  

Have you seen that there is none like God? There is none so powerful, and there is also none so loving and merciful.   Have you trusted in His Son, and experienced His abundant grace and mercy?  

We will discuss this more fully in worship this Lord’s Day at 5 PM at The Commons at St. Andrews Church.  For directions, click here, or contact us for more information.  You can also join us on FacebookLive@RiverCityARP or on YouTube.