Exodus 11
How often do you find yourself comparing yourself to a friend, co-worker, sibling, or someone on social media? I grew up in a family of four daughters and was constantly comparing myself to my sisters: who is the funniest? Prettiest? Smartest? Most athletic? Etc.
In a completely holy way, God makes a clear distinction between Himself and the other gods of the Egyptians throughout the nine plagues that he brings them, concluding with the final heartbreaking tenth plague. God demonstrates who is the most powerful, who is in control, and who is the one true and holy God.
God is very clear when He gives Moses the exact words to say when warning Pharaoh of the final plague. Up until this point He has given Pharaoh nine chances to repent and let God’s people free, but Pharaoh's heart was hardened toward God. God used each plague to display His sovereign power over one of the Egyptian gods. The Egyptians worshiped the god of the Nile; God’s first plague turned the water into blood, thus destroying that god. The Egyptians worshiped a goddess with the head of a frog; God’s second plague frogs flooded their homes with frogs coming up from the Nile. And so on. God doesn’t display His power against other gods; He displays His power over them. He doesn’t leave room for us to compare and wonder which is better; He just is who He is. The Heavens and the Earth and everything within them belong to Him (Psalm 89:11, Colossians 1:16). He has power even over death itself (John 11:25, 1 Corinthians 15:55), and God did not back down from proving this to the Egyptians.
We can compare ourselves to others all day, but we will always find that although we are different, we are similar in the sense that we are all broken people in need of a Savior. Not one of us is superior to another. Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This means that no matter how much good we add to the mix of things, we are not worthy of standing before a holy God. Only through the blood of Jesus are we covered and offered redemption for a relationship with the Father.
There is no room for comparison between the god of wanting to be liked by others when we are unconditionally loved by God our Father. There is no space for comparison between the god of wealth and fortune when the rightful King gives us everlasting life. And there is no denying that the Creator of the world is far superior to any man-made object or pleasure that brings us temporary satisfaction.
We serve a just and holy God. Although scary, as the Egyptians learned the hard way, his judgment and wrath bring justice to the world. We serve a God who was, is, and always will be unlike any other.
What idols do you run to, believing they can bring more satisfaction than the Father?
