What can we learn about God's sovereignty from Exodus 8:18? Setting the Scene Pharaoh’s magicians had kept pace with the first two plagues (blood and frogs), copying them through occult arts. When Moses struck the dust and it became gnats, the magicians tried again—but hit a wall they could not climb. Key Verse—Exodus 8:18 “But the magicians tried to produce gnats by their secret arts, but they could not. So there were gnats on men and animals.” What the Magicians Couldn’t Do: Snapshot of Sovereignty - Earlier success lulled Pharaoh into thinking his power equaled God’s power. - Exodus 8:18 introduces the first outright failure of Egypt’s spiritual elite. - The very dust under every foot becomes an instrument of judgment, leaving no corner untouched and no creature exempt. - Verse 19 records the magicians’ confession: “This is the finger of God.” Even God’s “finger” outstrips all human and demonic force. What We Learn about God’s Sovereignty • God sets unbreakable limits on every rival power – Job 38:11—“Here you may come, but no farther.” – Proverbs 21:30—“No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can prevail against the LORD.” • God’s sovereignty is comprehensive – Dust, the smallest particles in the land, obey Him (Isaiah 40:26). – Men and animals alike feel His rule; nothing escapes His reach (Psalm 24:1). • God alone is the true Creator – Making living gnats from lifeless dust echoes Genesis 2:7; only God breathes life. – The magicians’ failure exposes the counterfeit nature of all other powers (Jeremiah 10:11). • Sovereignty is revealed progressively – Each plague ratchets up the contrast between the LORD and Egypt’s gods (Exodus 12:12). – God often allows temporary imitation so that His eventual supremacy is unmistakable (2 Thessalonians 2:8–10 shows a similar pattern in the future). • Sovereignty humbles human pride – Pharaoh’s court, famed for wisdom, bows to the unavoidable truth: “We can’t.” – Daniel 4:35 echoes the lesson: “He does as He pleases… no one can restrain His hand.” • Sovereignty comforts God’s people – If God governs dust, He certainly governs the details of our lives (Matthew 10:29–31). – His power to deliver Israel then assures His power to redeem and preserve believers now (Romans 8:28). Connecting the Dots with the Rest of Scripture - Psalm 115:3—“Our God is in heaven; He does whatever pleases Him.” - Isaiah 45:5–7—The LORD alone forms light and creates darkness; He is unrivaled. - Colossians 1:16–17—All things were created through Christ and hold together in Him. - Revelation 19:6—He is still “omnipotent” at history’s end; the storyline never changes. Living It Out • Rest: Nothing and no one can exceed the boundaries God sets. • Repent: Lay down any hidden confidence in personal strength, reputation, or spiritual shortcuts. • Rejoice: The same sovereign hand that stopped Egypt’s magicians now upholds every promise to us. |
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