Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh, and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews: Let my people go, so that they may worship me.”
NL Daily Devotion for Wednesday, October 4, 2023
by Daniel D. Maurer, Clergy Stuff
Main Idea: The Transformative Power of God's Judgment and Grace
In Exodus 9:1-12, we witness the continuation of the plagues: the death of livestock, boils on people and animals, and hail. Each plague is a manifestation of divine judgment, yet also an expression of God's grace aimed at transformation.
God's judgment in these plagues is not merely punitive; it's transformative. The livestock's death, the boils, and the hail are all aimed at breaking down the structures of oppression that Pharaoh has built. They serve as a call for change, a plea for justice, and a pathway for liberation.
In our own lives, we sometimes experience hardships that feel like plagues. Whether it's a personal crisis, a societal issue, or a natural disaster, these challenges can be overwhelming. However, it's crucial to see them not just as obstacles but as opportunities for transformation. God's grace works even in the harshest conditions, nudging us toward change and growth.
The story also serves as a reminder that God's grace is not a one-time event but a continuous process. Despite the increasing severity of the plagues, God's grace remains, offering Pharaoh and his people multiple opportunities for repentance and transformation. It's a testament to the enduring and transformative power of God's love, which seeks not to condemn but to liberate.
![Jonah 1:1-17; 3:1-10 [4:1-11], Jonah and God’s Mercy](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56b39b61ab48de92d991a40a/6bbb490e-4992-4659-a8be-02d8397d68af/24-11-10.jpg)