Lessons from Pharaoh and the Pharisees
It would seem, from our modern day perspective, that should a man throw down a stick and it turn into a snake, that any person present would listen to that man. Pharaoh was the exception. We read a great deal about the Israelites and their lives as slaves to Pharaoh and the taskmaster Egyptian slave drivers. They were ruthless, relentless. I am sure, as you read through Exodus chapters six and seven, you may see some similarities in characteristics of folks you know. But, Pharaoh wasn’t the only one we read of in the Bible, Old or New Testament, who demanded miracles and signs from God’s people. In Matthew 16, talking to the Pharisees, Jesus said that it is an “evil and adulterous” generation that demands a sign, for a number of reasons, I felt the need to write about this topic today.
God is sovereign, and of this, we are sure as Believers. He is also mysterious in His ways, so much so the number of stars in the sky, the number of galaxies in existence, outnumber the grains of sand on our planet. We cannot begin to comprehend or understand His existence, much less get an angle on why He sometimes waits to deliver His people until great loss and suffering have seemingly occured. I have a hunch that He often does this to prove it was His mighty hand delivering us and not our own meager efforts. But, I could be wrong. What I can tell you is this; God is all-knowing, and He will turn horrific situations into good for those who are called according to His purpose. So what’s the lesson we can learn from Pharaoh and the Pharisees? First, I believe it is a challenge to ask Him to search our hearts. Search our motives, our intentions. We know His intentions for us are good, as that is the only word we can attribute because of our fallacy as humans. Second, I believe it is a reminder of what a corrupt heart given to the sinful nature of man can create. Today, I am challenging all of us to shift from any notion of entitlement, to a place of thankfulness. When we pursue God with thankfulness as the forefront of our pursuit, whether it is worship or prayer, we will gain the attention of the King of kings. Our worship laced with a grateful heart positions us as prime targets for God’s miracles, instead of demanding anything. We are bought by the blood and sacrifice of the King of kings, the Lord of lords, Jesus, Yeshua, the only one to pay it all. We are positioned, with a heart of thankfulness, obedience, and submission to His will, to live in a place of perpetual favor and miracles. Demand nothing from the Father, but dominate the ground you stand on. Give nothing to the enemy. Determine to pursue Him afresh today.
Heavenly Father, I come to You today thankful that I can approach You in prayer. I ask You to search my heart, wash me of any unclean thing in my heart, any evil motives, cleanse me so that I may come before You with pleasing worship. Direct my steps according to Your will. As I seek Your way, I am confident that You will meet every need in my life. Thank You, Father, for Your unfailing love. -Amen
One day the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, demanding that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.
Matthew 16:1 NLT
Suggested Reading: Exodus 6 and 7, Matthew 16
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