In this episode we continue studying the Book of Exodus. In this episode Moses and Aaron bring three more plagues upon the land. The first was the plague of frogs. Yet, Pharaoh's magicians and sorcerers were also able to bring forth frogs.

We note that they could bring forth frogs but not dispel them, and by bringing forth more frogs, they troubled their own environment, they were instrumental in bringing forth more trouble and affliction upon their own people.

The second plague was the plague of lice and the magicians could not bring these forth. And they finally said, this is the finger of God. But Pharaoh would not listen to them. He refused to let the people go.

Jesus said, it was by the finger of God he cast out devils.

Luke 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.

Luke 11:21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:

Luke 11:22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.

Luke 11:23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.

And it was the finger of God working in Egypt, brining judgment upon Pharaoh and the false gods of Egypt.

With these judgments the magicians and enchanters learned they have limited power.

The apostle Paul had an encounter with a false prophet who was also called a sorcerer in Acts chapter 13.

In the text a government official wanted to hear the message of the gospel, but there was a false prophet there, who tried to turn the man from the faith, when he saw, that he believed Paul's message about Christ.

So Paul filled with the Holy Spirit spoke a word and the prophet/sorcerer became blind.

Here’s the text:

Acts 13:4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

Acts 13:5 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

Acts 13:6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:

Acts 13:7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

Acts 13:8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

Acts 13:9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,

Acts 13:10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

Acts 13:11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

Acts 13:12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

The third plague was the plague of flies. Pharaoh was so disgusted with the fly infestation, he agreed to let the children of Israel go if they didn’t go too far.

But Moses said, they had to go far away so the Egyptians wouldn’t see them making sacrifice to God. Because it would be an abomination in their eyes and they would stone them.

We note that when unbelievers, see Christians worshipping God, they despise them, they are offended by their worship and some decide to stone them with their words. That’s why Jesus encourages his people to do their acts of worship in private.

He said, when you fast wash your face, so no one will know you are fasting but you and God. When you give, keep it to yourself, don’t tell people how much you are giving.

When you pray go into your closet, go to a secret place, don’t go stand on the street corner and pray. When Jesus prayed, He rose up early and went to secluded places to pray. And when he prayed publicly it was with close associates.

We must be wise with public worship. We don’t go on street corners anymore, social media is the street corner these days.

If we don’t want to become an abomination and be stoned by people who find our worship offensive we must take God’s counsel. Or they will tread us underfoot and rend us (Matthew 7:6).

We also become an abomination in the eyes of unbelievers, when we try to do the Holy Spirit's work.

The Holy Spirit can not do his work if preaching, teaching and almsgiving is done to get attention, to make a name for ourselves.

Jesus' name is above all other names. And He can only do His work when we preach and teach to lift up the name of Christ.

Jesus reminds us of this when He said, the Holy Spirit convict's the world of sin.

Here’s the text:

John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment

Reprove means, confute, admonish, convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove.

So the Holy Spirit will convince people of their sins. Then God will bring forth Salvation and pour out righteousness upon the land.

So praying on the street corner AKA social media to get attention in our day, may do more harm than good.

And trying to convince people of their sins by faulting finding, railing and rebuking them will only stir up their hatred when the Holy Spirit is not actively drawing them because we are not lifting up the name of Christ.

Moses was wise, he knew it was best for them to do their worship far away from the people who would stone them.