Day 5--Chag HaMatzot (Feast of Unleavened Bread)

(Today is the fifth day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and it is also the weekly Shabbat. The Shabbat readings were included in yesterday's post, so today's post covers the regular day 5 readings. I originally wrote and posted this to my previous blog on 04/08/2007.)


Readings:


Shemot (Exodus) 9:1-14
Bemidbar (Numbers) 28:19-25


Exo 9:12 But YHWH hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as YHWH had said to Mosheh.

Because of the pride of man, there is a popular notion that we are masters of our own destiny. This is one of the places in the Scriptures where we are told very clearly that YHWH is in charge, not us. While Pharaoh no doubt already had a hard heart when it came to his Israelite slaves, YHWH hardened Pharaoh's heart as necessary in order for His plan to come to fruition.

People sometimes give up and fail to continue praying for someone because they have concluded that the person doesn't want to change, and since everyone has "free will", there's nothing more to be done. This is not what the Scriptures tell us, however:

Pro 21:1 The sovereign's heart is as channels of water in the hand of YHWH; He turns it wherever He wishes.

Mat 19:26 And looking intently Yeshua said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with Elohim all is possible."

Jam 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, so that you are healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous one accomplishes much.

The Sovereignty of YHWH is an important foundational principle. If we do not understand that, trust in Him and believe what He says, then His power will be limited:

Mar 6:5 And He was unable to do any miracle there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick ones and healed them.
Mar 6:6 And He marvelled because of their unbelief. And He was going around among the villages, teaching.

YHWH is in charge of all circumstances, not a neglectful parent or a wayward spouse or a rebellious child or a fair-weather friend or a cruel enemy. We need to pray with understanding so that we won't become discouraged and give up.