Forgetful Dogs Ex. 5-12

Background to the Message: Afterward Moses and Aaron went in and told Pharaoh, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.'" (Exodus 5:1 NKJV) And Pharaoh said, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go." (Exodus 5:2 NKJV)

The Purpose Behind the Plagues: "And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the children of Israel …" (Ex. 7:5) "By this you shall know that I am the LORD. …I will strike the waters …” (Ex. 7:17) “…that you may know that there is no one like the LORD our God. (Ex. 8:10) “…for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” (Ex.9:16) "and that you may tell …the mighty things I have done in Egypt, and My signs which I have done among them, that you may know that I am the LORD." (Ex. 10:2)

A Developing Pattern: Plagues Blood (Ex. 7:20) , Frogs (Ex. 8:8) Pharaoh’s Response “Entreat the LORD that He may take away the frogs from me and from my people” (Ex. 8:8) Result The frogs die (Ex. 8:13) he hardens his heart (Ex. 8:15)

A Developing Pattern: Plague Flies (Ex. 8:24) Pharaoh’s Response “Intercede for me” (Ex. 8:28) Result The Lord removes the flies (Ex. 8:31) Pharaoh hardens his heart (Ex. 8:32)

A Developing Pattern: Plagues Livestock (Ex. 9:6), Boils (Ex. 9:10), & Hail (Ex. 9:23) Pharaoh’s Response "Entreat the LORD, that there may be no more mighty thundering and hail” (Ex. 9:28) Result The Lord stops the hail (Ex.9:33) Pharaoh hardens his heart (Ex. 9:34-35)

A Developing Pattern: Plague Pharaoh’s Response Locusts (Ex. 10:14). Pharaoh’s Response Pharaoh begs Moses to ask the Lord to stop (Ex. 10:16-17) Result Locusts Blown Into the Red Sea (Ex.10:19) Pharaoh hardens his heart (Ex. 10:20)

“Forgetful Dogs” As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly. (Proverbs 26:11 NKJV)

“Forgetful Dogs” having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man's voice restrained the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. For when they…

“Forgetful Dogs” … speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire." (2 Peter 2:14-22 NKJV)

“Forgetful Dogs” For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. (James 1:23-27 NKJV)

Why the Lord Sends “Plagues” "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. (Revelation 3:19 NKJV)

The Effects of Returning to Vomit (Sin) #1 When we repeat our rebelliousness and return to sin, we force God to try to reach us by punishing us again. #2: When we stubbornly refuse to repent, we lose our avenue of communication with the Lord: “Entreat the LORD that He may take away the frogs from me” (Ex.8:8) “Intercede for me.” (Ex. 8:28) “Entreat the Lord” (9:28) “entreat the LORD your God, that He may take away from me this death only." (Ex. 10:17)

The Effects of Returning to Vomit (Sin) #1 When we repeat our rebelliousness and return to sin, we force God to try to reach us by punishing us again. #2: When we stubbornly refuse to repent, we lose our avenue of communication with the Lord: “When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.” (Isaiah 1:15 NKJV)

The Effects of Returning to Vomit (Sin) #1 When we repeat our rebelliousness and return to sin, we force God to try to reach us by punishing us again. #2: When we stubbornly refuse to repent, we lose our avenue of communication with the Lord: But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear. (Isaiah 59:2 NKJV)

The Effects of Returning to Vomit (Sin) #1 When we repeat our rebelliousness and return to sin, we force God to try to reach us by punishing us again. #2: When we stubbornly refuse to repent, we lose our avenue of communication with the Lord: "Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. (John 9:31 NKJV)

The Effects of Returning to Vomit (Sin) #1 When we repeat our rebelliousness and return to sin, we force God to try to reach us by punishing us again. #2: When we stubbornly refuse to repent, we lose our avenue of communication with the Lord. #3 Like Pharaoh, we may repeat sin until our heart is so hard it brings about devastating consequences.