Power Encounter
"I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD" Ex. 12:12.

What nation or people group has God placed on your heart? No matter what opposition you face, the Book of Exodus provides divine encouragement to trust God and persevere.

A. God is stronger than Satan.
Non-Christian peoples are led astray into unbelief by the supernatural power wielded by Satan and his evil spirits. We see such power in the ability of Egyptian magicians to mimic God's miracles in Ex. 7:10-13; 20-22; and 8:6-7. However, the magicians later admit they are outmatched. Unable to produce gnats by their secret arts, they tell Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God" (8:19).

In our day, God still brings shamans and occult practitioners to the limits of their arts. Moved by the Holy Spirit, some of them will acknowledge the One True God, who wields unlimited power--with grace and love.

B. God eliminates all pretenders.
The Egyptians were one of the most polytheistic peoples of the ancient world. Yet each plague defeats an Egyptian idol.
The plague of blood, defeated the Nile, worshipped by Egyptians.
The plague of frogs, defeated the frog, a god of fruitfulness.
The plague of gnats rendered the Egyptian priests physically impure to perform their rites.
The plague of flies defeated insect idols like Uatchit.
The plague on livestock defeated the worship of bulls and cows, and also Hathor, goddess of love, beauty and joy.
The plague of boils defeated Serapis and Imhotep, gods of healing.
The plague of hail defeated Nut, the sky goddess.
The plague of locusts defeated Isis and Seth, gods of agriculture.
The plague of darkness defeated several sun gods, including Amun-Re.
The plague on the firstborn defeated Pharoah, who claimed divinity.

In our day, the Lord--according to His timing--still proves Himself superior to all false idols, religions and philosophies.

C. God delivers through blood.
The Hebrews were exempted from many of the plagues. However, the final plague--the death of firstborn sons--is scheduled to strike every home in the land of Egypt. The Lord provides deliverance, however, through the sacrifice of a lamb. What appears to be a useless defense--lamb's blood painted on the doorframe--delivers the firstborn sons of Israel from death.

Why does the blood of these lambs do the trick? Because God promised, "I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. ... and when I see the blood, I will pass over you" (12:12, 13).

In our day, Christ's precious blood continues to liberate people from the power of death. "He [Jesus Christ] is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:2).

The mission message of Exodus is clear: No power--of Satan or the world-- can stand against God's power to liberate.

1. Imagine being present to witness the ten plagues.
2. Ponder the concept of power encounter as you read these texts: Ex. 9:13-16; 15:11-15: 18:9-12; Num. 33:4; Luke 10:1-4, 16-20; and Rev. 12:10-11.
3. What magicians, shamans, idols or demonic powers oppose God's mission to the people you serve? Thus far, how has God shown His power and grace to be superior? How might He do so in the future?