In the Old Testament book of Exodus, we find the story of how God used Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and to the land which He had promised to give to them. The nation of Israel had been held captive by the Egyptians for over many years when God told Moses to go speak to Pharaoh and ask him if he would allow them to leave Egypt.
Well, Pharaoh refused to allow them to leave, and so God brought a series of plagues upon the Egyptians. The first thing that happened was the entire nation of Egypt was covered with frogs. Frogs EVERYWHERE – millions of them. Which, okay that would not be very pleasant and would be rather annoying, but at least frogs don’t bite or sting people. So, Pharaoh agreed to let the people leave Egypt and go worship God. HOWEVER, as soon as the frogs were gone, he changed his mind. Notice what the Bible tells us in Exodus 8:15, “But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not listen to them, as the LORD had said.”
Well, the next plague was a bit more annoying as God allowed gnats to be through all the land of Egypt. Millions of pesky gnats. The Bible tells us there were gnats on both man and beast. I’d say a little more annoying and bothersome than frogs. And then God sent flies, so finally Pharaoh agreed to allow them to leave. But again, as soon as the gnats and flies were gone, he changed his mind. Notice what Exodus 8:31-32 tell us, “The LORD did as Moses asked, and removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants and from his people; not one remained. But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and he did not let the people go.”
Then God caused all of the livestock of the Egyptians to die, including horses, donkeys, camels, sheep, cattle, etc., Okay – NOW, maybe that will get Pharaoh’s attention? However, Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not allow them to leave.
And things just got worse and worse, boils, water turning to blood, etc., until finally Pharaoh told the nation of Israel to GET OUT of Egypt.
Now, I realize that God was actually the one who hardened Pharaoh’s heart, because He wanted to show how awesome and powerful He was, but as I was reading this over the weekend, it occurred to me that this is a very good reminder of how many people who claim to be Christians act and react to God’s control of their lives.
They know they are not following God’s will in their lives, and they know they are doing wrong, but they refuse to change and get their lives right. So, God sends some troubles and punishment into their lives to get their attention. Well, like Pharaoh – they agree to do what is right. But then, as soon as the punishment is gone and everything is back to “normal” in their lives, they go right back to doing what they were doing before – not obeying God!
They seem to forget how God just had to get their attention! So, they basically are just asking for more trouble in their lives. And God has to do send more trouble to get their attention again. The Bible says that if we are truly God’s children – He will do what is necessary to see that we obey Him. Hebrews 12:6 tells us, “For those whom the LORD loves He disciplines, and he scourges every son whom He receives.”
Now, if Pharaoh had just agreed to let the nation of Israel out of Egypt when Moses first asked him, he would have saved himself and the Egyptians from a LOT of trouble, and ultimately would have saved his own life as well as the lives of thousands of Egyptians who died as a result of the hardness of his heart.
It’s kind of like a child who refuses to obey no matter how many times they get punished. They dont’t seem to stop and realize how much easier and more peaceful their lives would be if they would just simply obey. And the same is true with us as Christians – if we would just DO WHAT GOD WANTS and COMMANDS us to do, our lives would be a LOT better off!
It may not always be easy or “fun” to do what God commands. However, the cost of obedience is a LOT less than the cost of disobedience! It all depends on what price you want to pay.