What does Exodus 7:24 teach about relying on God during difficult times? Setting the Scene Exodus 7 records the first plague on Egypt. The mighty Nile—lifeline of the land—turns to blood at God’s command. Verse 24 captures the aftermath: “And all the Egyptians dug around the Nile for water to drink, because they could not drink the water from the river.” The People Digging for Water: Human Self-Reliance on Display • Egypt’s instinct was to dig, innovate, and scramble rather than repent or seek the LORD. • Their effort produced only temporary relief; the judgment remained for seven days (v. 25). • The verse exposes the futility of trusting human ingenuity when God withholds His provision. The God Who Controls Resources • By striking the Nile, God demonstrated absolute sovereignty over what Egypt worshiped and depended on (Ezekiel 29:3). • He showed the emptiness of idols and the exclusivity of His power (Isaiah 44:9–11). • In contrast, He later distinguished His people from plagues (Exodus 8:22), underscoring His covenant care. Lessons for Today: Relying on God in Difficult Times – Crises reveal where our trust truly lies. Temporary fixes never substitute for humble dependence on Him. – When familiar “rivers” run dry—finances, health, relationships—God invites us to look up before digging trenches of self-effort. – God sometimes allows shortages so we rediscover that “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). Supporting Scripture Snapshots • Proverbs 3:5–6 — Trust fully, not partially. • Jeremiah 17:5–8 — Cursed is the one who trusts man; blessed is the one who trusts the LORD. • 2 Chronicles 20:12 — “We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” • John 4:13–14 — Jesus offers water that never runs out. Putting Trust into Practice • Acknowledge God’s sovereignty when resources dry up. • Replace frantic digging with deliberate surrender—read His Word, sing His promises, recount past deliverances. • Act wisely but pray first; God often uses practical steps, yet dependence starts in the heart. • Encourage others to look to Christ, the living water, rather than to canals of self-reliance. Takeaway Exodus 7:24 reminds us that when life’s “Nile” turns to blood, digging harder isn’t the answer. Turning to the One who controls the river is. |
    |