阅读经文 

座落于尼罗河河畔的埃及社会是一个繁荣的社会，它既富足又先进，邻近国家都羡慕它。它的气候温和，水的供应不依赖降雨，乃是靠赖尼罗河定期的泛滥，河水泛滥恢复整个三角洲的活力，为土地带来水份和养料。埃及所有的土地都属于法老王，而他的祭司和官员则治理整个社会。

在埃及十灾的故事中，（参出 7-12）我们看到一个拒绝承认以色列的神是天地唯一真神的法老王。神于是降下雷暴和闪电、雨水和冰雹，厉害的程度是他们从未见过的。

风暴来临有时也有另一个目的。圣经中记载高傲和有权势的人面对神的大能被压垮的例子，我们亲眼看过多少次例证呢？这等人在神面前不能站立得稳。世人看起来或许是强壮的（至少是他们彼此的看法），然而，在任何风暴中，人类的软弱很快便暴露无遗了。

我们应当低头祷告，而不是靠着自己的力量站在神面前。

“当趁耶和华可寻找的时候寻找祂，相近的时候求告祂。恶人当离弃自己的道路……归向耶和华，耶和华就必怜恤他”。（参赛 55:6-7）

Seated on the banks of the Nile River, Egyptian society prospered with abundance and sophistication. It was the envy of all its neighbors. The climate was mild. Water came not so much from rainfall, but by the regular flooding of the Nile, refreshing the whole delta with moisture and nutrients. All the land was owned by the Pharaoh, and his priests and officials governed the whole society.

In the story of the plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7-12) we see a Pharaoh who refused to recognize the God of Israel as the one true God of heaven and earth. So God sent more thunder and lightning, rain and hail on Egypt than it had ever seen before.

This is sometimes another purpose of storms. How often in the Bible do we see the proud and mighty being overwhelmed before the power of God? They cannot stand before him. Humans may appear to be strong (at least to each other), but in any storm our weakness is quickly evident.

Rather than standing before God in our own strength, we should bow and pray.

“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways…Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy” (Isaiah 55:6-7).