Hardened hearts and Passover

Exodus 9-12

These chapters talk of Moses going to Pharaoh to speak for God. It's interesting to read that Moses always speaks saying, "The LORD says." I think maybe after that many encounters with God himself, you become more humble and fearful. But also you can more easily recognize God's sovereignty of all things. Moses and Aaron were simply obeying and wanted everyone to know that it was truly God's power.

I found it interesting that Pharaoh asks for blessing before he sends the Israelites away. Almost a sort of recognition that even the mightiest of leaders in civilization still answer to God, whether they'd like to or not. So in todays' world, with corrupt government and corporate leaders a dime-a-dozen, this seems like a reckoning. They "hardened" their hearts to the truth of their greed whether it was for money or power...

I had a seder meal with the Passantes the Saturday before Easter... it was nice to see Christ in so many aspects of the tradition. Even in the passage, it talks of how people become one with the nation of Israel before they can partake. It's interest to see how many ways the promise of God passes through Christ.