BLESS THEM
Today's reading: Exodus 9-12

"Pharoah sent for Moses and Aaron during the night. Leave us! he cried. Go away, all of you! Go and serve the Lord as you have requested. Take your flocks and herds, and be gone. Go, but give me a blessing as you leave." Exodus 12:31 NLT

Pharoah hadn't seen God's people as anything but slave labor.

Pharoah wasn't able to view Yahweh as anything more than another god.

Pharoah didn't know, or refused to believe, the promises held for the Israelites.

Pharoah couldn't bow to the power of another Leader. It wasn't in him to give in.

Pharoah didn't want any part of this God the millions served...until.

Until he had lost his prized possession. Until his nerves had been frayed by the frogs, the gnats, the boils, the bloody water. Until the Death Angel flew low over his kingdom.

Then he wanted what all un-believers, ridiculers and mockers want--a blessing.

They want what they see God giving us.

They seek the favor they see He gives to our lives.

They desire to be heard by the Creator.

They just want it through us.  They don't want it personally. They prefer it not to be direct. They don't want the strings they think are attached. They want it all--and still want to do things their way.

For now.