Exodus 8:30
Then Moses left Pharaoh and prayed to the LORD,
Then Moses left Pharaoh
Moses, as the leader of the Israelites, frequently interacted with Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt. This phrase indicates a moment of transition, where Moses departs from the presence of Pharaoh after delivering God's message. The context here is the series of plagues that God sent upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery. This departure signifies Moses' role as an intermediary between God and Pharaoh, highlighting the tension between divine command and human authority. Historically, Pharaohs were considered divine figures in Egyptian culture, making Moses' boldness in confronting Pharaoh significant.

and prayed to the LORD
Moses' prayer to the LORD demonstrates his reliance on God for guidance and intervention. This act of prayer is a recurring theme in Moses' leadership, emphasizing his role as a prophet and intercessor. The use of "LORD" in all capitals refers to the divine name YHWH, underscoring the covenant relationship between God and Israel. This prayer follows a pattern seen throughout the Exodus narrative, where Moses seeks God's will and power to accomplish what is humanly impossible. It also prefigures the mediatory role of Jesus Christ, who intercedes on behalf of humanity. Moses' prayer is a model of faith and obedience, trusting in God's promises and timing.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The central human figure in this passage, Moses is the prophet and leader chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. His role as an intercessor is highlighted here as he prays to God on behalf of Pharaoh and Egypt.

2. Pharaoh
The ruler of Egypt, Pharaoh is depicted as a stubborn leader whose heart is hardened against God's commands. His interactions with Moses are central to the account of the plagues.

3. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenantal name of God, Yahweh is the one true God who demonstrates His power and sovereignty through the plagues. He listens to Moses' prayers and acts according to His divine will.

4. Egypt
The land where the Israelites are enslaved. It is the setting for the plagues, which serve as judgments against Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt.

5. Prayer
The act of communication with God, prayer is a key element in this verse, showcasing Moses' role as an intercessor and the power of prayer in influencing divine action.
Teaching Points
The Power of Intercessory Prayer
Moses' prayer demonstrates the significant impact that intercessory prayer can have. Believers are encouraged to pray for others, trusting that God hears and responds.

Obedience to God's Call
Moses' willingness to approach Pharaoh and pray to God shows his obedience to God's call. Christians are called to be obedient, even in challenging circumstances.

God's Sovereignty and Mercy
The passage highlights God's sovereignty in controlling the plagues and His mercy in responding to prayer. Believers can trust in God's ultimate authority and His willingness to show mercy.

The Role of a Mediator
Moses acts as a mediator between God and Pharaoh, prefiguring Christ's role as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity.

The Hardness of Heart
Pharaoh's hardened heart serves as a warning against resisting God's will. Believers are encouraged to remain open and responsive to God's guidance.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Moses' role as an intercessor in Exodus 8:30 inspire you to pray for others in your life?

2. In what ways does the account of Moses and Pharaoh challenge you to be obedient to God's call, even when facing opposition?

3. How can understanding God's sovereignty and mercy in this passage deepen your trust in Him during difficult times?

4. What lessons can we learn from Pharaoh's hardened heart, and how can we apply them to ensure our hearts remain open to God's will?

5. How does Moses' mediation in this passage point to the greater mediation of Christ, and how can this understanding impact your relationship with God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
James 5:16
This verse emphasizes the power of a righteous person's prayer, which is evident in Moses' intercession for Egypt.

1 Samuel 12:23
Samuel, like Moses, sees it as a sin to cease praying for others, highlighting the importance of intercessory prayer.

Psalm 106:23
This verse recalls Moses standing in the breach before God, preventing His wrath from destroying the Israelites, similar to his role in Exodus 8:30.
Three Plagues - Frogs, Lice, FliesJ. Orr Exodus 8:1-32
The Fourth PlagueJ. Urquhart Exodus 8:20-32
The Fourth Plague - the Flies: the Immunities of GoshenD. Young Exodus 8:20-32
The Plague of FliesJ. Orr Exodus 8:20-32
Exhortation to the Newly AwakenedG. F. Pentecost, D. D.Exodus 8:25-32
It is not Meet So to DoG. F. Pentecost, D. D.Exodus 8:25-32
Not Very Far AwayG. F. Pentecost, D. D.Exodus 8:25-32
The Impossibility of Compromise in a Religious LifeJ. S. Exell, M. A.Exodus 8:25-32
People
Aaron, Egyptians, Moses, Pharaoh
Places
Egypt, Goshen, Nile River
Topics
Entreated, Intreated, Maketh, Pharaoh, Prayed, Prayer, Supplication
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 8:29-31

     4660   insects

Library
Mary, Future Mother of Jesus, visits Elisabeth, Future Mother of John the Baptist.
(in the Hill Country of Judæa, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke I. 39-56. ^c 39 And Mary arose in these days [within a week or two after the angel appeared to her] and went into the hill country [the district of Judah lying south of Jerusalem, of which the city of Hebron was the center] with haste [she fled to those whom God had inspired, so that they could understand her condition and know her innocence--to those who were as Joseph needed to be inspired, that he might understand--Matt. i. 18-25], into a city
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Blasphemous Accusations of the Jews.
(Galilee.) ^A Matt. XII. 22-37; ^B Mark III. 19-30; ^C Luke XI. 14-23. ^b 19 And he cometh into a house. [Whose house is not stated.] 20 And the multitude cometh together again [as on a previous occasion--Mark ii. 1], so that they could not so much as eat bread. [They could not sit down to a regular meal. A wonderful picture of the intense importunity of people and the corresponding eagerness of Jesus, who was as willing to do as they were to have done.] 21 And when his friends heard it, they went
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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