Slices
Prepare
Pray with the psalmist, ‘Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law’ (Psalm 119:18).
Bible passage
The plague of darkness
21 Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand towards the sky so that darkness spreads over Egypt – darkness that can be felt.’ 22 So Moses stretched out his hand towards the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days. 23 No one could see anyone else or move about for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived.
24 Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and said, ‘Go, worship the Lord. Even your women and children may go with you; only leave your flocks and herds behind.’
25 But Moses said, ‘You must allow us to have sacrifices and burnt offerings to present to the Lord our God. 26 Our livestock too must go with us; not a hoof is to be left behind. We have to use some of them in worshipping the Lord our God, and until we get there we will not know what we are to use to worship the Lord.’
27 But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he was not willing to let them go. 28 Pharaoh said to Moses, ‘Get out of my sight! Make sure you do not appear before me again! The day you see my face you will die.’
29 ‘Just as you say,’ Moses replied. ‘I will never appear before you again.’
Explore
Once again Pharaoh says the people can leave Egypt, only to change his mind after a plague of locusts is lifted (10:20). In response, the Lord covers Egypt in darkness, except the places where the Israelites live (v 23).
Pharaoh tries to negotiate with the Lord. He will allow the Israelite men, women and children to leave, but they must leave their flocks behind. Does Pharaoh think that they will be unable to survive without their flocks and return to Egypt? But Moses refuses because, without live animals, sacrifices to the Lord can not be made (vs 25,26). Pharaoh grudgingly offers to give part of what is demanded (v 24). But the Lord has revealed himself to Moses and the Israelites as the great ‘I am’ who will rescue them and accompany them on the journey to the Promised Land (3:15–17). Moses will not settle for a deal which allows them to escape but not worship the Lord.
Worship is the natural response to redemption. In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul spends 11 chapters explaining how the Lord, through Jesus, offers redemption to both Jews and Gentiles. In response he urges a life of service and worship.
Respond
How should we worship? ‘Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship’ (Romans 12:1)
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Judges 19,20; Psalm 44
Pray for Scripture Union
Give thanks for all our Faith Guides across the country, for their passion and commitment to the Revealing Jesus Framework. Pray that as they work with the 95 God will enable them to use their gifts to the full and give them a sense of his presence.
Could you volunteer on a Scripture Union Holiday?
Volunteering with Scripture Union could be the most fun and rewarding thing you ever do!
That's a very bold statement but one that's echoed by so many of those who've joined one of our teams. Not only is volunteering on a Scripture Union holiday lots of fun, but it's a great way to build relationships, develop your skills and get real life experience of working with children and young people.
