How does Exodus 9:21 connect to Jesus' teachings on obedience? Setting the Scene: Exodus 9:21 “But those who disregarded the word of the LORD left their servants and livestock in the field.” A Snapshot of Half-Hearted Hearing • The plague of hail was coming, and the LORD’s warning was crystal-clear (Exodus 9:19). • Some Egyptians “feared the word of the LORD” and acted (v. 20). • Verse 21 shows the opposite response—hearing yet refusing to obey. • The result? Destruction of people, animals, and crops (vv. 25-26). Jesus on Obedience: The Same Heart Issue • Matthew 7:24-27—“Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them…” The house on the rock stands; the one on sand falls. • Luke 6:46—“Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say?” • John 14:15—“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” • John 15:14—“You are My friends if you do what I command you.” • Jesus consistently treats obedience not as optional add-on but as proof of genuine faith. Parallels Between Exodus 9:21 and Jesus’ Words 1. Same divine authority • In Exodus the LORD speaks; in the Gospels Jesus speaks with equal authority (Matthew 28:18). 2. Same dividing line • Those who take God at His word act, those who don’t suffer loss (Exodus 9:20-21; Matthew 7:26-27). 3. Same visible evidence • Obedience is outward proof of inward reverence (James 2:17). 4. Same consequence principle • Life and protection flow from obedience; judgment follows refusal (John 12:48). Trust That Moves the Hands and Feet • True faith is not mere agreement; it mobilizes behavior. • The farmer who rushed his cattle indoors parallels the disciple who rearranges life to follow Jesus (Luke 9:23). • Both demonstrate that believing God’s word means bending everyday decisions to it. Personal Takeaways for Today • Evaluate: Am I treating any command of Christ the way those Egyptians treated God’s warning—heard but sidelined? • Remember: Love for the Lord is inseparable from practical obedience (1 John 5:3). • Act: Align words, calendars, budgets, relationships, and habits with the commands of Christ; that is the “house on the rock” life. |
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