Today on the Lifespring! One Year Bible Rewind, we witness the escalating tension between God and Pharaoh. As the plagues of Egypt reach their devastating climax in Exodus 9-12, we see a transition from Pharaoh’s personal stubbornness to divine hardening. Consequently, this episode explores a challenging theological question. Was God’s treatment of Pharaoh truly fair?

First, the story of the Exodus is more than just a historical account of liberation. It serves as a blueprint for understanding God’s character. Furthermore, it highlights the clear distinction between those who fear the word of the Lord and those who remain insensitive to it. Ultimately, the institution of the Passover remains a foundational ritual that points toward a greater sacrifice and God’s enduring protection for His people.

To begin, we must remember that the wages of sin is death. Pharaoh was an evil man who horribly mistreated the Israelites. For over four centuries, the Egyptian population followed their leaders and treated God’s people as less than human. While the text eventually says God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, we must recognize that Pharaoh hardened his own heart first. In a similar way to a parent using a strict punishment to correct a child’s behavior, God utilized Pharaoh’s stubbornness to display His power. In the end, He showed mercy by allowing the nation to continue existing instead of facing total destruction.

“But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them as the Lord had spoken to Moses.” — Exodus 9:12

On February 2, 1881, Pastor Francis Edward Clark founded the Young People Society of Christian Endeavor in Portland, Maine. As a result, he created the modern blueprint for youth ministry. Additionally, on this date in 1915, the church said goodbye to Fanny Crosby. Although she was blind, she saw the gospel with incredible clarity and left behind thousands of beloved hymns.

On this date in church history, we celebrate two major milestones in Protestant life. In 1881, the very first “youth group” was formed through the Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor, changing how we disciple the next generation forever. We also mark the passing of the legendary hymn writer Fanny Crosby in 1915. Though blind from infancy, Fanny saw the gospel with incredible clarity, leaving the church a legacy of over 8,000 hymns. If you want to hear the inspiring “stories behind the song” for her classics, be sure to explore the archives of my other show, Lifespring! HymnStories.

Fanny Crosby Episodes from Lifespring! HymnStories:

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