Exodus 10: A Little Help in Parenting

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You will find more and see more than I can ever articulate. Welcome to Chapter by Chapter. And today's chapter is Exodus 10, A Little Help in Parenting. In August of 2024, the outgoing U.S. Surgeon General had a warning. He said, parenting can be harmful to your mental health. An advisory issued by Dr. Vivek Murthy, the nation's doctor said parents in particular are under dangerous levels of stress. The report cites the American Psychological Association saying nearly half of parents report overwhelming stress most days compared with 26 of other adults Murthy isn suggesting people quit having children He says there are so many joys and benefits that can come with parenting They can coexist with the stress parents feel. Instead, he's issuing a call to action for anyone, especially lawmakers and bosses, with the power to lessen the load on parents. That load has grown heavier with the rising cost of child care. longer working hours and new threats from school shootings to social media. Well, we have a lawgiver that is going to lighten the load for us, Moses. The children of Israel have seen seven plagues come to Egypt that were all designed by God to free the Jews from 400 years of chains and bondage. Each plague was nothing less than a miracle to denounce the arrogance of Egypt and exalt the power of God. right in between fiery hell and locusts, God gives us some good parenting advice that would no doubt thrill Dr. Murthy. The Lord says in Exodus 10, one, these words, the Lord said to Moses, go back again and make your demand upon Pharaoh, but I've hardened him and his officials so that I can do more miracles demonstrating my power. What stories you can tell your children and grandchildren about the incredible things that I'm doing in Egypt. Tell them what fools I made of the Egyptians and how I proved to you that I am Jehovah. God has been telling Moses that Pharaoh heart has been hardened so God can perform signs and wonders Since Egypt would not respond to Moses let my people go all of Egypt is now realizing that they are fighting Jehovah God the most powerful person in the universe Pharaoh is the only stubborn one in the nation that will not hold up the white flag. The Egyptians are begging him to concede to God. Listen to verse 7. Pharaoh's servant said to him, how long will this man be a snare to us. Let the men go that they may serve the Lord their God. Do you not realize that Egypt is destroyed? But there was more to these signs and wonders than only freedom for the slaves. God was giving content for parenting conversations. He wasn't just dealing with Egyptians, but he was equipping parents. Listen to Exodus 2. It begins with an important conjunction, and that was for ancient Jewish families and it is even for us today. God says in Exodus 10 to these words, and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and of your grandson how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and how I perform my signs among them that you may know that I am the Lord. God says, tell your children what I did in Egypt. These 10 plagues from the beginning were to renounce to Egypt that God is God. but now we are finding out that it was for the Jews also. It would be the duty of parents to tell miracle stories to their children of what God has done. I thank God I had Christian parents who did that with me. I would hear the stories of miracle healings and salvations in the church. As a young child these stories were important and impressionable They would settle into my spirit to confirm what I would hear in church and Sunday school God is giving us all a challenge to tell miracle stories to our children. Tell them how God provided finances when it seemed impossible. Tell them your stories. Tell them other stories of God's faithfulness. Have others tell them about their miracles. use the dinner table, car rides, and even plane rides. Let testimonies take the place of iPhone videos. God's stories are more exciting than fashion, food, and music. Douglas MacArthur was an American general who served as a top commander during World War II and the Korean War, achieving the rank of general of the army. He said this about parenting. By profession, I am a soldier, and take pride in that fact. but I am a prouder and infinitely prouder to be a father. A soldier destroys in order to build, but a father only builds and never destroys. The one has the potentialities of death, the other embodies creation of life. And while the hordes of death are mighty, the battalions of life are mightier still. And it is my hope that my son, when I am gone, will remember me, not from the battle, but in the home repeating with him our simple daily prayer, our Father who art in heaven. Let's just add one more thing to the General's profound insight. Tell them, General, about the miracles of God also. Thank you for joining chapter by chapter. Every chapter from the greatest book, the Bible, the Word of God. Seven minutes a day, seven days a week. We'll see you tomorrow.