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The story of Moses and Pharaoh is not only history. It is a mirror. It shows you how pride fights God. It shows you how God answers pride with power. It also shows you where safety is found. This story is written in the book of Exodus. It speaks to every generation. It speaks to you today.
The Bible says in Exodus 5:1, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel, ‘Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.’” This was a simple command. It was clear. It came from God. Moses did not bring his own words. He brought God’s words.
Pharaoh’s answer shows his heart. Exodus 5:2 says, “And Pharaoh said, ‘Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go.’” This is pride speaking. Pride does not listen. Pride does not bow. Pride says, “Who is God?” Pride puts self on the throne.
Pharaoh was powerful in his own eyes. He ruled a great nation. He had soldiers, wealth, and buildings. He had slaves. He thought he was secure. But he forgot one thing. Power does not belong to kings. Power belongs to God.
The Bible says in Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.” Everything belongs to God. Even Pharaoh’s throne stood on God’s earth. Even Pharaoh’s breath came from God.
God could have destroyed Pharaoh in one moment. But God chose a longer path. He wanted to show His power. He also wanted to give Pharaoh time to repent. God is patient, but patience does not mean weakness.
God began to send signs and wonders. First, Moses’ rod became a serpent. The magicians copied it. But Aaron’s rod swallowed their rods. Exodus 7:12 says so. This was a message. God’s power swallows false power. What looks equal at first is not equal in the end.
Then came the plagues. Water turned to blood. Frogs filled the land. Lice came. Flies came. Disease killed the animals. Boils broke out on the skin. Hail destroyed crops. Locusts ate what remained. Darkness covered the land. Each time, Pharaoh saw the hand of God.
Exodus 9:16 says, “But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” God was not playing games. God was revealing Himself.
Each plague was a question to Pharaoh. “Will you humble yourself?” Each time, Pharaoh had a chance to bow. Each time, he refused. Sometimes he said sorry. Sometimes he promised. But when the pain stopped, he went back to pride.
Exodus 8:15 says, “But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not heed them, as the Lord had said.” This is a dangerous pattern. Pain brings tears. Relief brings pride back.
Many people act the same way. In trouble, they pray. In danger, they cry to God. When peace returns, they forget. They return to their old ways. They return to self-rule.
Pride is not only loud. Sometimes it is quiet. It says, “I know better.” It says, “I will decide.” It says, “Not now.” But every delay in obedience is still disobedience.
God’s power is not only in signs. It is also in control. The Bible says in Exodus 9:12, “But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh.” This does not mean God forced Pharaoh to be proud. Pharaoh chose pride again and again. After many refusals, God confirmed his choice. This is a warning. A heart that keeps saying no will one day lose the desire to say yes.
The greatest blow was still coming. The death of the firstborn. God gave a clear warning. Exodus 11:4 to 6 says that every firstborn in Egypt would die, from the house of Pharaoh to the house of the servant. This was not a small matter. This touched every home.
But God also made a way of escape for His people. He told them to put blood on the doorposts. Exodus 12:13 says, “Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you.” Judgment and mercy stood side by side.
That night, pride was broken. Exodus 12:31 says, “Then he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, ‘Rise, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel. And go, serve the Lord as you have said.’” Pharaoh finally let them go. God’s power had won.
But pride dies slowly. After a short time, Pharaoh chased them. He changed his mind again. Exodus 14:5 says his heart was turned against the people. He thought he could still win.
At the Red Sea, God showed His power in a new way. The sea opened. The people crossed on dry ground. Pharaoh followed. Then the sea returned. Exodus 14:28 says, “The waters returned and covered the chariots, the horsemen, and all the army of Pharaoh.” Pride met its end in the place where God showed His glory.
What does this story teach you today?
First, God’s power is greater than any human power. No government, no leader, no system can stand against Him. The Bible says in Jeremiah 32:17, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.”
Second, pride blinds the heart. Pharaoh saw miracles. He heard warnings. He felt fear. But pride kept him from change. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” This is not poetry. This is truth.
Third, delayed obedience brings greater loss. If Pharaoh had obeyed at the first word, Egypt would have been spared much pain. Every “no” added a new plague. Every delay made the price higher.
Look at your own life. Where do you say, “Not now”? Where do you argue with God? Where do you hold the door closed when God says, “Open”?
Fourth, God always makes a way for those who trust Him. The blood on the door saved the families of Israel. The open sea saved the nation. The Bible says in Psalm 34:19, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”
God’s power is not only for judgment. It is also for salvation. He does not delight in destruction. He delights in mercy. Ezekiel 18:23 says, “Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? says the Lord God, and not that he should turn from his ways and live?”
But mercy must be received. You cannot enjoy protection if you refuse the door. You cannot cross the sea if you refuse to move.
There is also a lesson about leadership. Pharaoh used power to serve himself. God uses power to free others. True authority lifts people. False authority chains people.
Moses was not perfect. He was slow of speech. He had fears. But he obeyed. God used him. Pharaoh had everything. But he would not bow. In the end, he lost everything.
This shows you a simple rule of life.
- Humility leads to life.
- Pride leads to loss.
- Obedience brings peace.
- Stubbornness brings pain.
James 4:6 says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” When God resists you, no door stays open. When God gives you grace, no wall stays standing.
You do not need to be a king to have Pharaoh’s spirit. It lives in small rooms too. It lives in excuses. It lives in silent refusals. It lives in secret sins. It lives in the heart that says, “I will not change.”
Today, hear God’s voice. Hebrews 3:15 says, “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” Today is the best day to obey. Today is the safest day to humble yourself.
God’s power is not your enemy. It is your shelter. It is not sent to crush you. It is sent to save you. But it will never agree with your pride.
Let Pharaoh’s story be your warning. Let Israel’s story be your hope. The same God who opened the sea still opens ways. The same God who broke chains still breaks chains.
Bow before His power. Let go of pride. Choose life.
Psalm 20:7 says, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” Pharaoh trusted in chariots. They sank. Those who trust in God stand.
Make your choice today. Do not fight God. Walk with Him. Do not harden your heart. Open it. His power will not destroy you. It will carry you forward.