The finger of God
The plagues continue; however,
the Egyptian magicians are not able to replicate the plague of the gnats and
therefore warn Pharaoh (v19): “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh still
doesn’t listen.
Jesus uses the same
expression in Luke’s gospel when He defends Himself against the accusation that
He is driving out demons by Beelzebub. He points out the logical flaw that
Satan would be fighting himself if this were the case; therefore the logical
conclusion is that Jesus is driving out demons by the finger of God (v20). He goes
on to explain that it is not enough to drive out an evil spirit, since it will
return with seven even more wicked spirits, if the void is not filled with
God’s presence (by listening to the word of God and obeying it).
Thanks to Jesus we don’t
have to be concerned, like Bildad in Job 25, about how we can be righteous
before God. But God’s graciousness goes even further than that (Luke 11:8-13):
Jesus encourages us to approach God with boldness and persistence since God
answers prayers and will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.
Heavenly
Father, thank You, that when we ask, we will receive, when we seek we will find
and when we knock the door will be opened.
Please fill us with Your Holy Spirit.
Amen.
(homegroup member)