The Worst Plague

This article was written by Evangelist Wil Rice on Exodus 11:10: And Moses and Aaron did all of these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh*s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land.

What is your favorite worst plague that God sent to Egypt? It*s kind of a silly question, isn*t it? It*s a little like asking if you*d rather jump off a cliff or fight a grizzly bear. Yet, as we think about all these horrific plagues that God sent in judgment upon Pharaoh and Egypt, I think that most of us would have to say that the last plague was the worst. God took the firstborn of man and beast in Egypt. It was a horrific plague.

In Exodus 11:1 God says to Moses, *Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt.* Those are ominous words. Then He says, *When he shall let you go, he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether.* Pharaoh was not just going to let Israel go, he was going to thrust them out. He couldn*t get rid of Israel quick enough, and that was the working of God on the stubbornness of Pharaoh.

What is the worst judgment that God ever sent to Egypt or could send on anybody? Strangely enough, it is not found in any of the ten plagues that God sent. Instead, it is found in the last verse of this chapter. It says, *And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the Lord hardened Pharaoh*s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land.*

The worst judgment God could send is to release a man to his own stubbornness, vices, and inclinations. We think about all these terrible plagues that God sent, but the worst judgment of God on Pharaoh was not the lice, flies, or even the slaying of the firstborn. It was releasing Pharaoh to his own wicked way.

It reminds me of Romans 1 where God talks about those who knew God, but did not give God His rightful place. The Bible says that God also gave them up to their own uncleanness, to vile affections, and a reprobate mind. Sometimes you look around the world and think, *Where is the judgment of God.* You are seeing the judgment of God, releasing men to their own inclinations, vices, and stubbornness.

May God help us to be open-eyed and tender-hearted. Let us be quick to respond to God*s dealings in our lives. The best thing God could do for us is to show us our ways, correct us, and help us to do what honors Him.

Care to discuss The Worst Plague with Ron?

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