In order to grapple with the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart, we must humble ourselves before the Lord.

The gospel connection will revolve around the LORD, for the first time in the plagues, making a distinction between His people and Pharaoh’s people:

The LORD’s people will experience redemption while Pharaoh’s people experience destruction.

What makes the LORD’s people so special? Nothing they’ve done. Rather, they are “special” because the LORD has graciously chosen them and set them apart as his treasured possession.

This is true for the Christian as well. What makes the Christian so special? Nothing they’ve done. Rather, they are “special” because the LORD has graciously chosen them and set them apart, in Christ, as his treasured possession.

The Christian has been graciously set apart by the LORD, in order to experience the LORD’s redemption instead of the destruction he deserves.

When we read of what God has done, it reveals to us who God is. And when we do that in light of the gospel, our response should be none other than joyful worship and praise.

This week’s passage provides us with a preview, of sorts, of the events that are to come in the following chapters. Here we see that the LORD has no equal and his plan of redemption cannot be thwarted.

God never merely calls us to Himself. He calls all of whom He calls to Himself also to His mission. What is God calling you to?

In this passage we see the Lord’s gracious plan of redemption:

A mighty and faithful God delivering his broken and faithless people from bondage to an evil and ruthless captor using an insufficient and insecure prophet.

The Deliverer saves and the oppressor enslaves.

He is a God who rules every heart by his sovereign will. He is a God who loves us the way a good father loves an only son. He is a God who gives what his justice demands: a perfect sacrifice for sin. He is a wonder-working God, a God who keeps every last promise of salvation. He is also our God who has seen our misery and is concerned about our suffering. Will you bow down and worship him?

God never merely calls us to Himself. He calls all of whom He calls to Himself also to His mission. What is God calling you to?

When we encounter the true and living God, we’re forced to ask two questions: Who am I? And, Who is He?