"HAIL, NO!"

"Those officials of Pharaoh who feared the word of the LORD hurried their slaves and livestock off to a secure place. Those who did not regard the word of the LORD left their slaves and livestock in the open field."

(Exodus 9:20-21)

They're called SUNSHINE LAWS. They are regulations requiring openness in government and business.. They make meetings, records, votes, deliberations, and other official actions available for public participation and/or inspection. Personally, I think it's another of the wonderful freedoms that make this country great.

When I was reading Exodus 9 today, I discovered that God is also a proponent of sunshine laws. Go figure!

I'm in the middle of reading about the 10 Plagues that fell upon Egypt. God used them to help release the Israelites from captivity. The first 6 were: 1) Nile River turned to blood, 2) frogs, 3) gnats, 4) flies, 5) livestock pestilence, 6) boils (on everyone & everything)... But then God sends Moses back to Pharaoh with this message: "I'm coming for you!" Meaning, from now on, the plagues will also affect Pharaoh and his officials, not just the regular people of Egypt.

Then Moses tells Pharaoh (and the officials) what the NEXT plague will be: HAIL! God even invites them to move all their slaves and livestock in from the open fields, so they can be covered and protected from the impending hailstorm. The author of Exodus tells us that some officials did just that, while others didn't. Those who didn't lost everything that was left out in the open.

So I was struck by God's openness. God willingly presented the options for people to make an informed decision. Some followed God's warning. Others didn't.

There was a time in church history when it was believed that God only revealed his secrets to a select few. The general church rejected this notion of "Gnosticism." I agree with that rejection. God is an open God who wants ALL to experience the abundant life. When we're at our best, the Church professes this openness. Through preaching, teaching, study, and action, we can show all that the gifts and graces of God are free for anyone. If they (WE!) will pay attention. It's also available for all to experience - not just through the words of scripture (though that's a biggie), but through personal revelation by God to us.

So when faced with an impending hailstorm... may we be brave enough to heed God's wisdom & advice.