LEAVING EGYPT 2, PHARAOH

The LORD said to Aaron, “Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.” So he went and met him at the mountain of God and kissed him. And Moses told Aaron all the words of the LORD with which he had sent him to speak, and all the signs that he had commanded him to do. Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the people of Israel. Aaron spoke all the words that the LORD had spoken to Moses and did the signs in the sight of the people. And the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD had visited the people of Israel and that he had seen their affliction, they bowed their heads and worshiped. Afterward Moses and Aaron went and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.’” But Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and moreover, I will not let Israel go.” (Exodus 4:27-5:2 ESV)

            The first article gave attention to the concessions Pharaoh offered to Moses in an effort to keep his slaves. This article addresses his actions.

            Everyone is made aware of the only living God by creation, by proclamation or by revelation. Most people become aware of God through His handiwork. Many hear about Him from committed believers. A few (very few) have a supernatural encounter. God is making Himself known to the world.

            Although God reveals Himself in a variety of ways everyone must personally acknowledge His Lordship. One thing is certain: No one will be able to stand before Him blameless on Judgment Day. “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20 ESV)

            In the duel between Moses and Pharaoh two things were at stake: Israel receiving their inheritance and Pharaoh discovering God. What is often overlooked in the Exodus narrative is God’s love for the Egyptian ruler. The Lord desires for none to parish and for everyone to enter everlasting life. Pharaoh was given several opportunities to respond to God and ultimately refused.

People today have numerous opportunities to know God and many refuse. The message of Jesus is presented in publications, heard on radio, viewed on television, obtained on the internet, mentioned in homes and offices, and proclaimed in churches around the world, week after week. To not know Jesus reveals a Pharaoh mentality. His responses still happen today.

Absolute refusal

            Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and moreover, I will not let Israel go.” (Exodus 5:2 ESV)

            Egypt was a mighty empire and Pharaoh perceived himself a god. His world evolved around him. Why should Pharaoh serve the God of slaves? He owned them.

            Pharaoh had power, honor, prestige, and respect. What more did he need? What more could the God of slaves do for him? Why serve Him? Even a troubled soul is numbed of its need by the things someone possesses. What personal benefit could be derived from an outlandish request given by a guy spending 40 years as a desert nomad?

            People naturally have a “What’s in it for me, where are the benefits?” mentality. Some consider the phrase, “Give all to Jesus!” as not making sense. With no conscience about sinning, having no regard for eternity, many only look at the tangible present. Like a Pharaoh some harden their hearts and ignore the inevitable. They fail to recognize this world is passing away and earthly endeavors fall short of heavenly blessings. When someone refuses to look at their eternal need, they fail to discover the one true God.

            Pharaoh asked, “Who is this God that I should listen to Him?” He was about to find out.

Lying to God

            Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and said, “Plead with the LORD to take away the frogs from me and from my people, and I will let the people go to sacrifice to the LORD … But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart and would not listen to them, as the LORD had said. (Exodus 8:8, 15 ESV)

            Divine power was revealed and Pharaoh sought relief, not God. In an effort to get rid of a problem he gave the Lord lip service, gave a vow with no intention of keeping. Without fear or reverence he lies to God.

            When facing difficulty, do you simply seek relief?

             “Oh, God, get me out of this financial mess and I’ll start tithing – I promise.”  Failing to tithe could be the very reason for the problem in the first place. You know you should give, God’s knows you should give.

            “Oh God, relieve my suffering, deliver me, and I will serve you – I will do whatever you want me to do.” How many times does this vow get forgotten? Numerous times!

            “God spare me from the consequences of my crime! I will never do it again.” Only after being caught are many willing to quit. Maybe it would be better to face the consequences? God’s help is sometimes a problem becoming exposed and finally being addressed.

            People cry out to God for help with no intentions of keeping a promise. God intervenes and vows become conveniently misplaced. Lying to God, giving Him lip service, manifests the heart of a Pharaoh.

Bargaining with God

            Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and said, “Go, sacrifice to your God within the land.” … So Pharaoh said, “I will let you go to sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only you must not go very far away. Plead for me.” … But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and did not let the people go. (Exodus 8:25, 28, 32 ESV)

            Pharaoh attempted to find leverage with God. He rationalized, “Is leaving necessary as long as they sacrifice? Can a retreat or temporary excursion suffice?”

            Are you trying to meet a commitment to God while still pursuing self-interests? One way people attempt to address the need of their soul and still satisfy selfish longings is by filtering Biblical terms through greed: “authority” becomes “superiority,” “success” becomes “prestige,” and “faith” becomes “achievements.” Living for God becomes altered when carnal definitions are given to Biblical concepts.

            Spiritual living must be defined by Biblical definitions: “authority” is “servitude,” “success” is “humility,” and “faith” is “perseverance.” Followers of Jesus move in directions contrary to the world and eternal life is not achieved through worldly pursuits. There is no bargaining in opposites, only enmity. There is no bartering with God in order to fulfill selfish desires.

Confession without repentance

            Then Pharaoh sent and called Moses and Aaron and said to them, “This time I have sinned; the LORD is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong. … So the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people of Israel go, just as the LORD had spoken through Moses. (Exodus 9:27, 35 ESV)

            Pharaoh realizes he is having an encounter with the Lord God Almighty. He confesses his sin and seeks forgiveness. When things ease up, however, he turns away from God.

            Some start a relationship with God but quit, they turn away after genuinely experiencing the full measure of salvation. Living for Jesus is not always a “tip-toe through the tulips” kind of experience, causing some to give up. The Holy Spirit provides keeping power as long as someone wants to be kept.

            Others never come to know God. Though they desire His forgiveness, they are unwilling to change. There is no such thing as conveniently confessing when it serves self-interests but willfully doing as before. People expressing a committed confession will change. Confession without repentance is no confession at all.

Surrender

            Then he summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Up, go out from among my people, both you and the people of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as you have said. Take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone, and bless me also!” (Exodus 12:31-32 ESV)

            Pharaoh was defeated. Egypt was in ruins and he suffered personal loss. Refusal, lying, bargaining, and insincere confession all failed. He surrendered because his options ran out. Surrender comes out of defeat, after being beaten down to nothing. People can be crushed mentally, trampled emotionally, forced physically, but remain inwardly defiant.

            Pharaoh unconditionally surrendered but with an unrepentant heart he still considered God an enemy. Pharaoh possessed a deep-down, clenched-fist inward rebellion: “I yield because I have no choice. Though I don’t want to, I will do what I must. I will never, however, willingly serve the God of slaves.”

            God desires submission, not surrender. Submission is the act of willingly giving up something for a greater cause, a courageous act coming from a position of strength instead of weakness. Jesus was submissive to the will of the Father. “Although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself” (Philippians 2:6) The Son of God came to earth as a man and submissively died on the cross.

            Some surrender, admitting the Lord is God with no intention of submitting to His leadership and guidance. In lieu of surrender, be submissive. Willingly yield control of your life. He is not the Savior until you make Him your Lord.

Total ruin

            When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the mind of Pharaoh and his servants was changed toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” So he made ready his chariot and took his army with him. … The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. … The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen; of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea, not one of them remained. (Exodus 14:5-6, 23, 28 ESV)

            Pharaoh asked, “Who is this God that I should listen to Him?” He is the absolute and supreme Ruler. Failing to submit, nothing was left. Only so much can be done for a stubborn heart.

            Every response reveals Pharaoh attempting to gain his own way and being his own god. His actions stemmed from selfishness. Salvation comes only through submission and heart change.

Application

            Pharaoh is an example of what should never happen to anyone. His actions are similar to someone seeking escape from a devilish hell rather than establishing a relationship with the Lord God almighty.

            While serving as Assistant Pastor in a Montana church, two teenage girls came forward one evening to receive Christ. Both wept at the altar, both started attending church and both joined the youth group. It was not long before differences became evident. One was spiritually progressing while the other kept arguing, “God accepts me as I am and I can still do what I’ve been doing.” She was wrong!

God takes you as you are but makes you as He is. If you have not witnessed a change since confessing Jesus, question your relationship with Him. If you resent what He wants from you, your attitude reflects surrender more than submission.