“You set the time!” Moses replied. “Tell me when you want me to pray for you, your officials, and your people. Then you and your houses will be rid of the frogs. They will remain only in the Nile River.” “Do it tomorrow,” Pharaoh said. “All right,” Moses replied, “it will be as you have said. Then you will know that there is no one like the LORD our God. [Exodus 8.9-10]
So, Pharaoh had the opportunity to decide when the plague of frogs would end ...and he said, "tomorrow."
Tomorrow???
Why not "today?"
I suppose there could be any number of reasons Pharaoh said tomorrow. I don't know that any of them would be seen as 'good' reasons, but it is obvious from the story that Pharaoh's reasoning was no doubt based on the hardness of his heart.
Hardness of heart is like that. It causes us to make stupid decisions. It causes us to miss the obvious good choices in life and instead pursue ridiculousness.
Hardness of heart makes us calculative and manipulative. I cannot help but believe that was what was going on in Pharaoh's mind. It is highly likely that Pharaoh wanted to give his staff time to find a remedy for the plague. Remember, these were the people who built pyramids! In other words, primitive as it may or may not have been compared to today's standards, the Egyptians had some science and technology going on.
We are really no different than Pharaoh, are we not? When God says, "I am the LORD Who heals you!" we schedule a doctor's appointment a month out. Who do we really trust?
I will stop right here.
Father, forgive me for being calculating and manipulative when it comes to (or, instead of) trusting You.
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