TO THE CHILDREN of Israel perhaps it seemed a long time since Moses had first returned to them, when they heard that the LORD had visited His people and that He had looked upon their affliction (Ex. 4:3131And the people believed: and when they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped. (Exodus 4:31)). Severe trials and testings had perplexed and troubled them for a time after that, but as one plague after another overtook their enemies and they themselves were preserved, they were repeatedly reminded that God was for them and working in His own way and time.
Now it is not at all a strange thing for God’s people of every age to be subject to trials and testings of faith, and perhaps the reader has known something of this. As believers we should seek to learn what God would teach us through such trials remembering that “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be (tested) above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” Again, in 1 Peter 1:6,76Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 1:6‑7) we are told: "... Now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations (testing): that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:6,76Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 1:6‑7). How encouraging it is to know that God is behind every scene, aware of every circumstance, and wishes to strengthen our faith and draw us nearer to Himself.
God would send one more plague upon Egypt, and it was the worst of all. It was death. All the sorrows and trials of this world are as nothing compared to death and eternal banishment from God, and this is the “one plague more” that awaits those who reject Christ and cling to this doomed world.
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterward he will let you go hence:... he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether. Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbor jewels of silver, and jewels of gold. And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants, and in the sight of the people.”
As the last great plague drew nigh the Israelites were on the threshold of the great deliverance from the land of their bondage. Their liberation was accompanied by a mighty display of God’s power. He caused the Egyptians, who had all the wealth, to look favorably on the captive Israelites, and jewels of silver and gold were thrust upon the very ones they had hated and mistreated.
Now those who are saved and follow a rejected Christ may be a despised people, but soon all will be changed. We may see the world hang all the seemingly good things now, and young hearts are liable to draw back from the path of reproach and suffering that belongs to the Christian, but soon we shall be taken out of this world to be with Christ. Then when He takes possession of all things in heaven and earth, He will take it in His saints. (Eph. 1:1818The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, (Ephesians 1:18)). As joint-heirs with Him, we shall have all then, and never lose it. We shall have it without any sorrow or tears to spoil it, and our portion will be eternal. Dear young reader, it is worth waiting for!
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