Heh Heh I'm Back (Ex 9/ 59)

Well that was hard.
Annoyingly so.
I had a good time away. With work it was a long almost painful couple of days of theorizing about practical steps into strategic planning. I'm pretty glad of the bus trip after. Good company always ends a day well.
I work with some fun people.
They bring out the best(and some may say the worst) in me, and are always good for a laugh. Brilliant, after such a long day.

The family time away was the exact opposite, yet in some ways similar.
I know, I know makes no sense.
Well when you write your blog you can say proper stuff that makes sense.
And I'll not say a word.
Nope.
Not one button of critique will come from my direction.
At all.

We nearly got snowed in.
We definitely got snowed on.
And were pooped by 5:30.
Ready to drop.
Amazingly, brilliant, stupendous fun.
Oh and HIGHLANDER COTTAGES are brilliant.
The cottages are cosy and just oh so right.
Our hosts not only dug us out when stuck in a drift, but visited us with candles in case we lost power due to the weather. They made our stay the memorable occasion it was.
Definitely will be going back there.
You should try it too.

Exodus 9
So we see the first plague that makes a distinction between the Israelites and the Egyptians.
Only the Egyptian livestock will be affected.
Only the Egyptian animals died.

It doesn't say it specifically in the version I read (ESV), but I believe only the Egyptians experienced the boils and sores as well.
I just see the magicians trying to scratch themselves with their staffs. (Barely suppressed giggling here with that picture)
This is the second time Moses actually has to do something to start the plague.
For the plague of blood he had to strike the Nile with his staff.
This time he throws the soot into the air, and the boils break out.
It would have been more fun to throw Sooty. (Google is your friend kiddies)

God shows he is truly protecting His people with an early warning to take cover
against the threat of hail.
Believe God is doing this and you should take cover.
If you don't, don't take cover and cop what's coming.
After the assault from the sky, Pharaoh shows some sign of submitting to the request.
But in v30 Moses recognises this isn't finished yet.

"But as for you and your servants, I know that you do not yet fear the LORD God."

And this proved correct.
Pharaoh hardens his heart and stops the Israelites from leaving.

In all this how frustrated and scared must the Israelites have been?
Were they going?
Were they staying?
What was the story with these plagues?
Why did some affect us and some not?
Did they continue to work?
Probably.
Come on Pharaoh, make a decision.
Did they continue to cry out to God?
Were the circumstances too "big" for them?
Did some give up on ever leaving Egypt?

I guess when you want something from God, you want Him to intervene, and you see stuff happening that makes no sense,
Keep praying.
Keep seeking Him.
When stuff seems to get worse, not better, and the answer you seek doesn't appear,
Keep praying.
Know that He does hear your requests.
Know that He will answer.
Pay attention to the things that do happen.
You'll have a better grasp on things later and will want to reflect.
God knows what we can handle and what we can't.
The stuff we can't, He can and He does.
He's like that.
Good.

I have been scolded by at least 3 people for letting my schedule slip with my posting.
Thank you for your requests to continue.
My heart bleeds for your lack of more meaningful input to your lives.
I hope this appeases your need for random meanderings of thought.
I know it meets mine.
Oh and I trek into the central highlands next week for 3 days.
So you know what that means.
Heh heh heh.