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Exodus 7:5

5The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them.


God's plagues on Egypt addressed many of Egypt's gods. The plagues involved not just random afflictions, but things the Egyptians revered. God was not only delivering the Israelites, He was demonstrating to the Egyptians that their religion of many gods was in vain. God alone is to be worshiped. Many Egyptians did convert and leave with Moses; one even became Moses wife (Exodus 12:38; Numbers 12:1).

God is always at work in the world to show people they are worshiping false gods. One complaint against Christianity is that it is seen by some as "exclusive." But at their roots, all religions have exclusive claims. The Bible teaches that all are made in the image of God and that God is reaching out to all the world. The widespread circulation of the Bible in most of the languages of the world is a confirmation of that truth. No other book comes close to being translated into so many languages.

God is also working in our own lives. Even though we have the Bible, we tend to let other gods claim our affections. Anything we put before the one true God becomes another god to us. God is faithful to do for us what He did for the Egyptians. He will show us that our gods are powerless in our time of need. Sometimes that comes in times of tragedy. Other times it happens when we are quiet and the Spirit of God convicts us of how our time is spent. All will know the He is the LORD. Then each must decide whether or not he or she will come out and serve the one true and living God.

Prayer: LORD, if I have put anything before You, forgive me. Teach me how unworthy and helpless those things are, and by contrast, how worthy You are to receive first place in my life.