We shall continue the study of Exodus, the second book of the Old Testament. Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions that follow each day.
(1) Did Pharaoh ask Moses to pray to God to turn the blood back into water? Why not?
(2) Why did God wait another 7 days before adding another plague to Pharaoh and his people?
(3) How could Pharaoh be convinced that the frog was indeed a plague sent by God?
(4) Were the Egyptian magicians able to duplicate this miracle? Why?
(5) Did Pharaoh react differently to this plague? Why?
(6) What might be the significance of allowing Pharaoh to set the time for Moses to pray for the reversal of the plague?
(7) Why did Pharaoh choose “tomorrow” and not right away?
(8) Why did Moses only promise relief in the houses, leaving the frogs in the river?
(9) What caused Pharaoh to harden his heart again?
(10) Have you ever retreated from your resolve to absolute obedience once God provided relief to your plight in answer to your prayer of repentance?
(11) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?
請慢慢細讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反複思考問題。
(1) 法老有要求摩西禱告神使血變回水嗎？為何他不這樣做？
(2) 為何神等多七天才另降災在法老和他的百姓身上？
(3) 法老要怎樣才肯認定青蛙果真是從神而降的災？
(4) 埃及的法術師能重複這奇蹟嗎？為什麼？
(5) 法老對這災有不同的反應嗎？為什麼？
(6) 摩西容許法老給他一個時限來祈求神除災，作用是什麼？
(7) 為何法老說「明天」而不是「立刻」？
(8) 為何摩西只答應青蛙會離開各住所，那在河裡的卻得留存？
(9) 什麼使法老再次硬心？
(10) 你曾否因困境向神發出悔改的禱告，神垂聽了並施援手，事後你卻收回自己願意絕對順服神的決心呢？
(11) 今天對你主要的提醒是什麼?你可以怎樣應用在你的生命中?
“Tomorrow,” Pharaoh said. (Exod. 8:10)
I agree with many commentators that the each of the ten plagues represented an escalation in pressuring Pharaoh and his officials not only to let the Israelites go, but to acknowledge the sovereignty of God over their gods and also over their will.
As much as Pharaoh continued to harden his heart, we can also see a gradual softening of his heart which, unfortunately, was accompanied by an intentional withholding from him the total surrender of his will which God desired of him.
Frankly,
the second plague of the frogs represented nothing more than inconvenience or a
nuisance to Pharaoh, and since his magicians could also duplicate the same
thing, he could have continued “not to take even this to heart” (
As Moses gave him the “honor” to set the time for his prayer and for the cessation of the plague, surprisingly Pharaoh said, “Tomorrow”. You and I would have said, “Right now”, unless we try to pretend that it really does not bother us too much. “Take your time Moses, I don’t really care.”
Therefore, it is not surprising to see Pharaoh reneged on his promise, once relief was found.
I find a parallel here with people who presumably have come to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior, and yet they do not really take their sins seriously. They are trying to better their lives or find relief from their less-than meaningful lives through becoming a Christian. They never take their sins seriously. While their mouths declare that Jesus is Lord, their hearts have yet to surrender totally to the Lordship of Christ. Not only will there be no change or fruitfulness in their lives, their sins will also reek like dead frogs to people around them.
「明天」，法老說。(出8:10)
許多釋經家認為十災的每一災都逐一加增壓力迫使法老和他的臣僕不單讓以色列人去，更認識到神是在他們的眾神和意念之上，有至高權威。我同意他們的看法。
就在法老不斷硬著心時，我們同時可以看到他的心逐漸地軟化。不過可惜的是，他還是不肯按照神對他的期望完全交出他自己的意願。
老實說，第二個蛙災只帶給法老輕微的不便或騷擾。他的法術師既能做同樣的事，他是絕對可以「不把這事放在心上」的（7:23）。然而，他要求摩西亞倫「祈求神」，明顯表示他認知神的大能。他認為他的法術師或任何一位埃及的神都像以色列的神那樣大能。如此的心軟化並非是完全的降服。
當摩西給他「情面」讓他說個時間來求神停止這災時，法老竟說：「明天」。你和我都會說：「立刻」的，除非我們假裝並不太受到煩擾。「慢慢來吧，摩西，我真的不著緊。」
故此，一旦災情得到舒緩，法老就食言，不足為奇。
這 就好比一些人可能已接受了基督做他們的主和救主，卻沒有好好地對付他們的罪。他們想藉著成為基督徒，過較好的生活，或從他們不太有意義的生命尋到出路。他 們從沒有正視他們的罪。他們的口雖稱耶穌為主，他們的心還未完全向基督的主權降服。他們的生命不單沒有改變或果子，他們的罪就像死蛙般向他們身邊的人發出 腥臭。
Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions that follow each day.
(1) Why did God choose now to strike without any warning, churning dust into gnats?
(2) Compare these three consecutive plagues—water all turned into blood, making drinking almost impossible; dead frogs piled into heaps and reeked, then dust churned up everywhere and turned into gnats—what were the messages behind all these from the Lord to Pharaoh and the Egyptians?
(3) Why couldn’t the magicians duplicate this latest miracle?
(4) While Pharaoh showed a softening of heart to the 2nd miracle, why didn’t he budge at this latest miracle, even with the testimony of his own magicians (v. 19)?
(5) Have you ever met anyone as stubborn and unrepenting as Pharaoh? Are you one?
(6) With such a hardened heart of Pharaoh, what did God send as the next plague?
(7) How different it was from the last three plague (as suggested by v. 22)?
(8) Why didn’t God send a tsunami or an earthquake instead?
(9) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?
第86日
請慢慢細讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反複思考問題。
(1) 為何這一次神不預先警告就吩咐摩西攪動塵土成虱子？
(2) 比較這三個連續的災—水變血，使水不能飲用；死蛙聚攏成堆，遍地腥臭；地上塵土都變成虱子―神向法老和埃及人發出什麼信息？
(3) 為何法術師不能重複這第三災？
(4) 法老在第二災後曾有軟化的表現。為何在第三災後，縱使有法術師作的見證（第19節），他仍然硬心如昔？
(5) 你曾遇見像法老那樣頑強死不肯悔改的人嗎？你在其中嗎？
(6) 對待如此硬心的法老，神再降那一災？
(7) 這災與前三災有何不同？（第22節）
(8) 為何神不降海嘯或地震？
(9) 今天對你主要的提醒是什麼? 你可以怎樣應用在你的生命中?
“I will make a distinction between my people and your people...” (Exod. 8:23)
As the heart of Pharaoh continued to harden, God also continued to increase the intensity of the plagues. God began to put a stop to the magical power of the magicians with the 3rd plague, causing them to confess, “This is the finger of God.” (Exod. 8:19) Then, with the 4th plague, God demonstrated His favor and special protection of His people. “What a privilege to be an Israelite,” some of the Egyptian might think with jealousy. But the truth of the matter is, they too could belong to God if they so choose. The same truth is seen in our lives as Christians. There is no doubt that the blessings of being God’s children extend beyond the temporal to the eternal. One hymn that speaks beautifully to such privileges is George Wade Robinson’s I am His and He is Mine. If you do not know the music, I urge you to go search for it. The lyrics and music combined to provide a wonderful meditation which draws us into a closer communion with our Lord. Let’s reflect on the lyrics: 1. Loved with everlasting love,
Led by grace that love to know;
Gracious Spirit from above,
Thou hast taught me it is so!
O, this full and perfect peace!
O, this transport all divine!
In a love which cannot cease,
I am His, and He is mine.
In a love which cannot cease,
I am His, and He is mine.
2. Heav'n above is softer blue,
Earth around is sweeter green!
Something lives in every hue
Christless eyes have never seen;
Birds with gladder songs o'erflow,
Flowers with deeper beauties shine,
Since I know, as I now know,
I am His, and He is mine.
Since I know, as I now know,
I am His, and He is mine.
3. Things that once were wild alarms
Cannot now disturb my rest;
Closed in everlasting arms,
Pillowed on the loving breast.
O, to lie forever here,
Doubt and care and self resign,
While He whispers in my ear,
I am His, and He is mine.
While He whispers in my ear,
I am His, and He is mine.
4. His forever, only His;
Who the Lord and me shall part?
Ah, with what a rest of bliss
Christ can fill the loving heart!
Heav'n and earth may fade and flee,
Firstborn light in gloom decline;
But while God and I shall be,
I am His, and He is mine.
But while God and I shall be,
I am His, and He is mine.
George Wade Robinson (1838-1877)
「我要將我的百姓和你的百姓分別出來。」（出8:23）
法老的心繼續剛硬，神也繼續加強災禍的威力。神用第三災斷絕法術師的法力，使他們心服的說：「這是神的手段。」（8:19）跟著神用第四災來表明祂對祂的子民的恩寵和特別保護。「做個以色列人多好」，有些埃及人會這樣想，流露著妒羨。事實上，他們也可以選擇成為神的子民的。
同樣的真理存在在我們的基督徒生命中。毫無疑問，身為神的兒女所享的福氣是超越今世直至永恆的。有一首詩歌美妙又貼切地描述這種福氣：G.W. Robinson作曲的「主屬我，我也屬主」。你若不認識這首詩歌的音調，我鼓勵你去找樂譜來學唱。歌詞與音樂合成美妙的默想，引領我們更親近我們的主。讓我們用心思想歌詞吧：
1. 從亙古主已愛我，蒙恩後我才明白，
聖靈開我的眼睛，使我知此愛真象，
因此心滿有平安，可意會不可言傳，
主恩愛我永垂顧，主屬我，我也屬主。
2. 到此時我眼才明，主所造都為祂榮，
聽鳥鳴如發讚聲，述說神造化奇能，
見田野花卉果實，亦顯明神性神德，
因此我深深體悟，主屬我，我也屬主。
3. 先有罪使我驚顫，主除盡，我心平安，
投靠祂蒙祂覆佑，如慈母懷抱嬰孩。
願在世永享這福，憂慮去疑惑全無，
時聽主微聲說道，主屬我，我也屬主。
4. 我屬主永遠屬主，誰能使主我相隔？
祂賜我滿心快樂，這平安何等深長！
天與地皆可廢去，日月光也變黑暗，
主與我仍然合一，主屬我，我也屬主。
George Wade Robinson (1838-1877)
Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions that follow each day.
(1) Pharaoh’s immediate response to the 4th plague is interesting:
a. Did he go to Moses? Why not?
b. Shouldn’t Moses ask him to go and see him?
c. Did Pharaoh give permission to worship exactly as requested? Why not?
(2) See note below concerning detestable sacrifices. Did Pharaoh now consent to Moses’ demand of a 3-day journey? Why?
(3) Pharaoh said to Moses, “Now pray for me”. How unusual was this request? What did Pharaoh confess with this request?
(4) Why didn’t Moses pray for him right away? What was he suspicious (or afraid) of? What purpose might be served in waiting another day (till tomorrow) for the flies to leave?
(5) Was Moses’ suspicion correct?
(6) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?
Note: How were the Hebrew sacrifices detestable to the Egyptians? We do not exactly know. But the fact that they abhorred shepherds and would not eat with them, it indicates a definite despise by the Egyptians against the Hebrews (Gen. 43:32; 46:34). Such an attitude was likely intensified toward the sheep and other animals offered as sacrifices by the Hebrews.
第87日
請慢慢細讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反複思考問題。
(1) 法老對第四災的立時反應值得思想：
a. 他去見摩西嗎？有什麼理由？
b. 摩西不該要求法老去見他嗎？
c. 法老有依從摩西的要求允准以色列民離開埃及去敬拜神嗎？為何不允准？
(2) 法老現在同意摩西所提出容以色列人走三天路程的要求嗎？為什麼？ (參下注釋)
(3) 法老對摩西說：「求你們為我祈禱。」這請求有多不尋常？這請求表明法老承認了什麼？
(4) 摩西為何不立即為他祈禱？他懷疑（或懼怕）什麼？多等一天（等至明天）讓蒼蠅離去有什麼作用？
(5) 摩西的懷疑是對的嗎？
(6) 今天對你主要的教訓是什麼？可以怎樣行出來？
注釋：希伯來人的祭祀怎樣為埃及人所厭惡呢？我們不確實知道。但根據埃及人憎惡牧羊人，不肯與他們一同吃飯，就表示埃及人肯定是歧視希伯來人的（創43:32；46:34）。這種態度很可能使他們厭惡羊隻和其他希伯來人祭祀所獻上的祭牲。
“Now pray for me.” (Exod. 8: 28)
In
an effort to encourage Moses to persevere in his mission in spite of setbacks,
the Lord once told Moses, “I have made you like God to Pharaoh” (Exod.
7:1). Indeed, as we read on, plague
after plague Pharaoh saw the mighty hands of God and each was manifested
through Moses and Aaron. And, as Pharaoh
relented, it was the prayer of Moses that he was counting on. So as he could not bear the devastation of
the flies (the 4th plague), he asked Moses not only to pray to take
the flies away, he actually asked Moses, “Pray for me” (
Maybe, I am reading too much into it, but it is definitely different from the last prayer request for the frogs (8:8). Perhaps, his soul was so disturbed, he was asking for prayer not just for the plague to leave, but for the well-being of his soul. Maybe, he even knew his own heart too well that his pride and stubbornness would once again make him renege on his promise, and he knew it would only make matters worse.
In any case, he knew that Moses’ prayer would be effective. If only Moses would pray, all would be well. In other words, God’s promise in Exodus 7:1 has come true. Pharaoh was treating Moses as if he was God. This would present one of the greatest temptations to any servant of the Lord. How easily would one usurp the glory of God! But not Moses, as we learn from Numbers 12:3 that “Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.”
I know I am in no way near the greatness of Moses, but as God’s servant, I have come across people who asked me to pray for them (or their loved ones), as if my prayers were far more effective than anyone else’s. Not only did these requests make me uncomfortable, they presented such a temptation to think more highly of myself. To such requesters I would immediately say “Yes, I would pray as you have requested, but my prayers are no different from anyone else’s, because God answers all sincere prayers, not just mine.”
Indeed, when it comes to approaching the throne of God, we have only one advocate who is Jesus Christ. Perhaps, the Apostle James had been approached for prayers just like I had been and he reminds us all that, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” And he quickly adds, “Elijah was a man just like us.” (Jas. 5:16-17)
Next time, when you desperately need intercession, go to your brothers and sisters in Christ for help, but do not forget to pray yourself. Elijah was a man just like you!
「求為我祈禱。」(出8:28)
為要鼓勵摩西在他的差事上遇到挫折時仍能堅持下去，神曾對他說：「我使你在法老面前代替神。」（出7:1）。果然，當我們讀下去時，法老在每一災都看見神大能的手；每一次都是藉著摩西亞倫顯明的。當法老的心軟下來時，他依賴摩西的代求。故此，當他不能再忍受蒼蠅的破壞時（第四災），他不單要摩西求神挪走蒼蠅，還竟然求摩西「為我祈禱」（8:28）
也許我對這請求加進過多的理解。不過這肯定有別於上次為蛙災而提出的請求。也許，法老的心靈極受煩擾，以至除了要摩西祈求神撤走蛙災外，還要為他祈求心靈得安康。也許，他甚至太知道自己的心了，自己的驕傲和頑梗會再一次使自己食言，這樣就會使事情更加惡化。
無論怎樣，他認識到摩西的禱告是有功效的。只要摩西肯代求，萬事會變好。換句話說，神在出埃及記7:1的應許實現了。法老正是以摩西為神那樣對待他。這是任何一位神的僕人面對的最大試探之一。人是何等輕易奪取神的榮耀！然而摩西卻不是這樣。民數記12:3說：「摩西為人極其謙和，勝過世上的眾人。」
我 知道自己絕對不能與摩西相比。身為神的僕人的我，遇到不少人請我為他們（或他們的親友）禱告，好像我的禱告會比其他人更有功效。這些請求不單令我不自在， 也構成使我自視過高的試探。對這些向我發出如此請求的人，我會立即回答：「我會按你的請求代禱的。不過我的禱告與任何人並無分別，因為神不只是聽我的禱 告，祂也聽所有誠心的禱告。」
真的，來到神的施恩寶座前，我們只有一位中保，就是耶穌基督。也許，使徒雅各也像我那樣遇到請求他代禱的人。他提醒我們：「義人祈禱所發的力量，是大有功效的。」然後他立刻接著說：「以利亞與我們是一樣性情的人。」（雅5:16, 17）
下一次，當你急需代禱時，請去找主內的弟兄姊妹幫忙，自己也不要忘記禱告。以利亞與你是一樣的！
Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions that follow each day.
(1) So far, what did the first 4 plagues affect?
(2) How different was this 5th plague in terms of its target?
(3) In what way was this 5th plague similar to the 4th? (v. 4)
(4) Why did God choose to set a time for this plague?
(5) Why did Pharaoh send men to investigate?
(6) Did the result make a difference to him? Why then did he investigate?
(7) There are people who wish to “investigate” into the truth of the Bible. What is the key to them finding God in their search?
(8) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?
請慢慢細讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反複思考問題。
(1) 至此，受首四災影響的是什麼？
(2) 以對象而言，這第五災有何不同？
(3) 這第五災與第四災有何相同之處？（第4節）
(4) 神為何為這災定了時候？
(5) 為何法老打發人去查察？
(6) 查察的結果使法老有不同的表現嗎？那他為何要查察？
(7) 許多人要「查察」聖經的真理。什麼才是人尋找神尋得見的條件呢?
(8) 今天對你主要的教訓是什麼？可以怎樣行出來？
“The Lord set a time and said, ‘Tomorrow the LORD will do this in the land.” (Exod. 9:5)
God waited until the 5th plague to inflict harm on the lives of livestock of Egypt which included horses, donkeys, camels cattle, sheep and goats. And, before the plague was actually carried out, God set a time so that the plague might be avoided. On the surface, the waiting time was set to help save these valuable properties of the Egyptians, but in essence, it was also for the sake of the livestock.
I am not one of those animal lovers who care more about animals than human beings. I have met quite a few people who’d rather keep animals as their companions than being associated with any human beings. Perhaps, I should not be too critical of them. Some of them have been hurt so deeply by friends, relatives or even their spouse that they have lost faith in human beings, including themselves. Others, like one former football coach who would rather keep fish as his companion, because, in the words of his son, “They don’t both him.” That’s very sad.
Having said that, it does not mean that we should not care about animals. If you read the last verse in the Book of Jonah, you might be surprised that one of the reasons that God withheld judgment on the city of Nineveh was because of the animals: “But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people…and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?”
As He was
concerned about the cattle of
「耶和華就定了時候，說：“明天耶和華必在此地行這事。”」(出9:5)
神等到第五災才擊打埃及的牲畜，包括馬、驢、駱駝、牛群和羊群。在降災之前，神定了時候，給他們機會避災。表面上這等候是定來保存埃及人的資產；實際上也是為了牲畜的存活。
我 並非是那些愛動物比愛人類更甚的動物愛護者的一份子。我遇過不少寧願以家畜為伴，也不願與人為友的人。也許我不該對他們太挑剔。他們中間有些人曾深受朋 友、親戚或甚至伴偶所傷害，以至他們對人類，包括自己，失去信心。其他的，好像一位前足球教練那樣，寧願以養魚為他的伴。套用他的兒子的話：「牠們並不煩 擾他。」多可悲。
我以上的話絕對不是叫我們不愛護動物。你若讀約拿書的末節，你會發覺愛惜動物是神不審判尼尼微城其中的一個原因：「何況這尼尼微大城，其中不能分辨左手右手的有十二萬多人，並有許多牲畜；我豈能不愛惜呢？」
神既愛惜尼尼微城的牲畜，祂同樣愛惜埃及地的牲畜。故此祂定了時候等候法老的回應。神的愛真是令人驚奇！
Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions that follow each day.
(1) In what way did the 6th plague represent an intensification of God’s wrath against Pharaoh and his people?
(2) At this point, what happened to the magicians? What do you think these magicians, together with the court officials, wished Pharaoh would do?
(3) Do you detect a sense of reluctance on the part of the Lord in announcing the 7th plague? Why?
(4) Why did God give him time to announce this plague to his people? (v. 19)
(5) Having seen 6 mighty miracles, why did some of Pharaoh’s officials refuse to protect their slaves and their livestock?
(6) How unusual was Pharaoh’s response to this 7th plague? Do you think this plague had achieved it purpose? Why or why not?
(7) What might be the significance of the Bible mentioning also the hardening of heart of the officials, not just Pharaoh’s?
(8) What is the message behind the detailed description of what had been and what had not been destroyed by the hail in vv. 31-32?
(9) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?
請慢慢細讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反複思考問題。
(1) 這第六災如何顯示神加強了祂的忿怒對待法老和他的子民？
(2) 在此時，那些法術師在做什麼？你認為這些法術師和各官員希望法老會怎樣做？
(3) 你有否覺察到神宣告第七災時有不想降災之意嗎？為什麼？
(4) 神為何給法老時間將這災告訴他的子民？
(5) 既經歷了六個大能神蹟，為何還有一些法老的臣僕不肯保護他們的奴僕和牲畜呢？
(6) 法老對第七災的回應有何不尋常之處？你認為這災達到目的嗎？請解釋。
(7) 聖經不單提到法老心硬，也提到連他的臣僕都硬著心。這有何特別意思？
(8) 第31、32節詳述冰雹擊滅什麼和不擊滅什麼。為要傳達什麼信息？
(9) 今天對你主要的教訓是什麼？可以怎樣行出來？
“Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron. ‘This time I have sinned,’ he said to them. ‘The LORD is right, and I and my people are in the wrong.’” (Exod. 9:27)
I have to admit that I have a lot of pity on Pharaoh as I am reading the story of Exodus:
- For
one, as a king of
- As Moses approached him with the request of letting his people go for a short trip to the desert to worship their God, he knew very well that it was a ploy only and that he would lose most of the labor force that was so vital to the economy of his country.
- Moreover, letting the Hebrews go would lead to political instability because of the message being sent to other vassal states and to his own opponents within the country that he was a weak king.
But none of the above could justify the murder of babies. None of the above could justify subjecting anyone to slavery. The heart of Pharaoh was very hard, and no one can blame God for the further hardening of the heart of Pharaoh who had both the misfortune and the blessing of seeing the mighty hand of God. It was a blessing because he could have humbled himself before God, and not only let the Hebrews go, but in repentance gained the favor of God.
He came close to the latter as he summoned Moses and Aaron confessing, “This time I have sinned.” At last, he admitted to sinning, but the confession appeared to be confined to “this time”, no mention of the many sins of infanticide, of slavery and of his repeated revocations of his promises. What’s more, if he really recognized that he sinned against the LORD, he should have gone to Moses instead. But he was still making his way towards true repentance, if he was willing also to face up to his other sins.
Facing up to one’s sin is not easy, it takes honesty; it takes courage. We would be fooling ourselves to think that we have owned up to our sins by only confessing the obvious and less hurtful. By confessing only to the present sin, Pharaoh thought he could ignore and bury the past. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works with God. However, if we are honest and courageous enough “to confess our sins (plural), He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purity us from all unrighteousness.” (I Jn. 1:9)
「法老打發人召摩西亞倫來，對他們說：“這一次我犯了罪了，耶和華是公義的，我和我的百姓是邪惡的”。」(出9:27)
我承認在讀出埃及記的故事時，我是十分同情法老的。請想想：
– 身為埃及的王，面對外來移民人口的膨漲，終有一天會超越自己國民人口的問題，你會怎樣處理？
– 當摩西到他面前，請求他容以色列民走不遠路程到沙漠去敬拜他們的神時，他就深知這只不過是個計策，他會失去對他國家經濟極有貢獻的大量勞工。
– 還有，容希伯來民走會帶來政治的不穩定。因為其他的附屬國和國內敵對者得此消息，就會認為他是個懦弱之君。
然而任何以上原因都不構成殺嬰孩的理由；都不構成強壓人為奴的理由。法老的心本是非常剛硬，不能怪責神使他的心更剛硬。法老得見神大能的手的作為既是他的不幸，也是他的福氣。得看見是有福的。因為他可以謙卑在神面前，不單容希伯來民去，也因悔改得到神的恩惠。
他 其實離悔改不遠了。他召摩西亞倫到面前時，承認：「這一次我犯了罪了。」他到底肯承認自己犯了罪。不過這認罪看來只適用於「這一次」。他不提殺嬰，迫民為 奴，屢次食言的罪。還有，他若是真心承認自己得罪神，他該自己到摩西面前。他若同時願意面對自己所犯的其他罪，他就是走上誠心悔改的路上。
面對自己的罪並非容易，是需要真誠，需要勇氣的。我們若 只承認那些明顯和不太具傷害性的罪，就以為已經是坦白地認罪，這是自欺而已。法老以為只承認眼前所犯的罪，就可以不理和掩藏舊罪。對不起，這並不符合神的 要求。不過，只要我們夠真誠和夠膽量向神「認自己的罪（是眾數的），神是信實的，是公義的，必要赦免我們的罪，洗淨我們一切的不義。」（約壹1:9）
Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions that follow each day.
(1) What is the reason given by the Lord for the hardening of heart of Pharaoh and of the officials?
(2) What should this message mean for future generations?
(3) Based on the rest of the Old Testament, especially the psalms, do you think this message has gotten across to future generations? (Can you recall some of the psalms that speak of God’s mighty power revealed during their Exodus?)
(4) Now Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh again. How different, do you think was their attitude from the first time they went and saw Pharaoh?
(5) How would you classify the words that Moses passed along on God’s behalf this time: a patient plea for repentance? a reluctant warning? Or an ultimatum? How so?
(6) From what Pharaoh’s officials said in v. 7, what have been the results of all these plagues?
(7) Did Pharaoh yield to the pressure put on by the officials? (Note; now Pharaoh finally confronted Moses with his “pretense” of worship, and made Moses to admit that it was really not a pilgrimage, but a flight!)
(8) What is the main message for you today and how may you apply it in your life?
請慢慢細讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反複思考問題。
(1) 神提到使法老和他的臣僕硬心的理由是什麼？
(2) 這信息對以色列人的子孫有何意思？
(3) 根據其他舊約書卷，尤其是詩篇，你認為以色列人的子孫領會這信息嗎？（你記得一些詩篇提到以色列人出埃及時神所施行的大能奇事嗎？）
(4) 此時，摩西和亞倫再次去見法老。你認為他們見法老時與首次有何不同的態度？
(5) 摩西代神這次的發言，你會怎樣歸類呢？是耐性地勸法老悔改？是個迫不得已的警告？還是個最後通牒呢？請解釋。
(6) 法老的臣僕在第7節的說話，使我們知道這些災帶來了什麼結果？
(7) 法老屈服在臣僕們的壓力下嗎？（注：法老終於揭發摩西假意帶百姓去曠野短程事奉的要求，這迫使摩西明說他們不是作朝聖，而是逃走！）
(8) 今天對你主要的教訓是什麼？可以怎樣行出來？
“(T)hat you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my signs among them, and that you may know that I am the Lord.” (Exod. 10:2)
At first glance, I was skeptical about this instruction from the Lord: “What’s the use of telling future generations? They won’t listen anyway, especially with the lapse of time.”
However, when I went through psalm after psalm and many of the books of the prophets, I have come to understand that the passing of these accounts of God’s miraculous deeds in Egypt and their remembrance had been vital to the faith of future generations of God’s people, especially in their times of trouble, both personal and national.
Psalm 78, 81, 105, 106, 114, 135 and 136, for examples, ground the hope and faith of the psalmists in the Lord firmly on these historical events of God’s deliverance, not to mention the remembrance of their annual Passover Feast.
It is a lesson that we should learn as well. We need to remember and recount all of the goodness God has shown us to our children and grandchildren, including times of failure and times of success. Yes, they may find our stories too repetitive, but the gratitude and sincerity with which we share these personal stories will help impress upon their hearts the faithfulness of our God, and help them follow our footsteps in their times of trials, and they, too, will come to experience the reality of the promises of God in their own lives as well.
「並要叫你將我向埃及人所作的事和在他們中間所行的神蹟，傳於你兒子和你孫子的耳中，好叫你們知道我是耶和華。」(出10:2)
匆匆讀這經文時，我對這從神而來的教導有點抗拒：「向子孫傳講有何用？他們不會聽的，尤其是隨著年日的推移。」
不過，當我讀完一篇又一篇的詩篇，以及其他的先知書，我就明白到傳講及記念神在埃及所施行的神蹟奇事是神的子民的後代信神的重要因素。尤其是在個人和國家有苦難的時候。
例如詩篇78、81、105、106、114、135和136篇，詩人對神的盼望與信心是牢牢地建立在這些被神拯救的歷史事蹟上，再加上他們每年一度的記念逾越節。
這也是我們 要學習的功課。我們需要與我們的兒女及子孫一起記念和數算神向我們所施的恩惠；也要提到失敗和成功的日子。是的，他們也許會覺得我們講述的事蹟太過重複， 然而分享這些個人經歷時的感恩與真誠會幫助他們的心對神的信實有深刻的印象，幫助他們在人生的考驗中能跟隨我們的腳踪，以至在他們的一生中也能親身經歷到 神各應許的真實。
Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions that follow each day.
(1) Certainly,
locusts swarm the
(2) Use your imagination to picture what is being described by v. 15? Paint or draw a picture of the devastation, if you can.
(3) What such devastation, Pharaoh yet reneged on his words. How would you feel at this point, if you were (a) the Israelites, (b) Moses and Aaron? (Angry, excited, filled with pity, or wearied—not again!)
(4) Do you think what Pharaoh said in vv. 16-17 was sincere? Why or why not?
(5) The next plague—the last one preceding the killing of the first-born—was darkness. What is meant by “darkness that can be felt”? (v. 21) Have you ever experienced such darkness in your life? If so, try to describe it.
(6) How appropriate might this “darkness” be as a precursor to the last plague?
(7) In what way did Pharaoh show his compromise? Why then did he insist their flocks be left behind?
(8) What was the last word that Moses said to Pharaoh? What does it represent?
(9) What is the main message for you today and how may you apply it in your life?
請慢慢細讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反複思考問題。
(1) 一直以來蝗蟲都會不時入侵埃及全地的，現今也如此。什麼界定這一次是個神蹟呢？
(2) 請按第15節的描述來想像當時的情景。若可行，請繪畫一幅地面受破壞的圖畫。
(3) 面對如此的破壞，法老還仍食言。此時，你若是(a)以色列民和(b)摩西亞倫，你會有什麼感受？（憤怒，激動，滿心憐惜，或厭煩—又來這一套！）
(4) 你認為法老在第16、17節所說的話是真誠的嗎？請解釋。
(5) 下一災―就是擊殺長子之前的最後一災—黑暗之災。「這黑暗摸得著」是什麼意思？（第21節）。在生命中你曾經歷這樣的黑暗嗎？若有，請描述。
(6) 這「黑暗」降在最後一災之前有何恰當之處？
(7) 法老如何讓步以示妥協？那為何他仍堅持要他們留下牲畜？
(8) 最後摩西對法老說了什麼話？是什麼意思？
(9) 今天對你主要的教訓是什麼？可以怎樣行出來？
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness spreads over Egypt—darkness that can be felt.’”
(Exod. 10:21)
Of all the nine plagues, the 9th plague had to be the most horrific, because the people Egypt were plunged into three days of complete darkness—darkness that can be felt. I am sure you have experienced a sudden darkening of the sky in the daytime and although it was not pitch-dark, you were already quite shaken up. Can you imagine living in complete darkness for three days? It must be a most horrifying experience.