Let’s make a deal!
“Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron and said, ‘Entreat the Lord that He may remove the frogs from me and my people, then I will let the people go that they may sacrifice to the Lord.’”-Exodus 8:8
Moses and Aaron had been before Pharaoh several times to request the release of the Israelites. Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to what they said. Exodus 7:3 says, “But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart…” which brings to mind an interesting question, Does God sometimes allow us to be put in bad situations so that He will get the praise? I believe the answer to that question is, Yes. I know that some of you may be shaking your head now, but hear me out. In John 9 we read the story of a boy that was born blind; Jesus’ disciples asked Him whether he had sinned or his parents Jesus answered them by saying neither the boy nor his parents had sinned, but he was blind so that the glory of God could be revealed through him. Think of the Old Testament character of Job. Certainly Job did not sin against God; the Bible even says that he didn’t. (Job 1:10) And think about the Apostle Paul, and all the difficulties he went through for the glory of God, and in these hard times God receives the glory if we completely trust in Him.
We see in this verse that Pharaoh tried to use his version of “If-Then Theology”. He told Moses If God will remove the frogs Then I will let the Israelites go so that they can worship God. That kind of theology reminds me of the old game show, Let’s make a Deal. Moses was playing the part of Monte Hall, and he told Pharaoh behind curtain one had the choice of letting the Israelites go to avoid the wrath of God, or behind curtain two was the choice of keeping the Israelites and facing the wrath of God. Like most of the contestants on that show Pharaoh wanted another curtain to choose from. He wanted a choice that would remove the wrath of God first, and then he would let the Israelites go.
This reminds me a lot of how we play the church game, or the serving game; or even the tithing game with God today. We tell God if He will give us the extra time want then we will serve Him, or if He will give us the raise we want then we will give Him the money He deserves. God does not work on an “If-Then Theology”; He usually does not bless us unless we bless Him first. In fact I can only think of one time in the Bible where God’s blessings were poured out before He was blessed, and that’s the story of the Prophet Samuel (read I Samuel 1).
God will bless us for our faithful service to Him, but if our hearts are not right before Him then we will not receive His blessings. It does not necessarily take an instance like parting the Red Sea to open the blessings of God. I would invite you to think on two things; Number one, Jesus said in Matthew 17:20”…if you have faith as a mustard seed…nothing shall be impossible to you.” And He said again in Matthew 25:21, “…Well done good and faithful slave you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things…” Our service for God does not have to be huge, but our service must come before His blessings.
Father, I thank You for promising to bless My service for You, and I ask that You would help me to remember that my work will be blessed by you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Yes, You Can Ministry 