I ran across a video the other day of the best showdowns from all of the western movies made. Most of the encounters were of two men about thirty feet apart, with revolvers on their hips telling the other to draw. Out of these standoffs came some of Hollywood’s greatest one-liners. Moses had a showdown with a powerful person in the Bible. He told Pharaoh to “Let my people go.”
EXODUS 10:3
“Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said to him, “Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, that they may serve Me.”
Bring on the Locust
Chapter 10 begins the eighth plague on Egypt, the locust. These grasshopper-like insects wiped out all of the plant life. It was so bad that Pharaoh’s wise men begged him to let the people go, but God had hardened his heart, so he refused. He had a lot to lose. The Jews were a source of free labor that made bricks for his buildings and managed the livestock and farms. Pharaoh prospered off the Israelite’s backs. If he let them go, he would lose all of that.
Prosper Despite Persecution
Throughout time the Israelites have been mistreated by the nations. It continues today with how the United Nations allows Jew-hating nations to sit on human rights committees where they blame Israel for everything. Interestingly, a tiny nation like Israel continues to prosper despite the persecution. God’s hand is still on His chosen people today. Have they rejected Jesus? Yes, but God will not go back on His covenant.
Let My People Go
Seeing what Israel has gone through should give us hope. If we ever have to endure persecution, we know that God will be there with us. Israel was slaves to Egypt for 400 years, yet during all of the plagues, not one of them affected them. People may mistreat you, but God has got your back. Keep being faithful and let God take care of the rest.