Ex 5:1-2 Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel says: ‘Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the desert.’”
Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go.”
We could get overly focused on the specific command, which was “Let Israel go,” but the substance of Pharaoh’s question is, “Who is the Lord that I should obey him?” Pharaoh’s answer to his own question tells us much about his mindset. He does not know the Lord and therefore will not obey him. Pharaoh’s attitude is, “He is not my Lord, I will not obey him.”
If we accept Pharaoh’s position as true, then a statement that follows logically from it is that who, or what, he will obey is his lord. Pharaoh, as ruler of all Egypt, was arguably the most powerful man in the world. As such, he probably did not believe he had any masters. God sent one man with a staff to Egypt. That man, Moses, who in obedience to the Lord went to Egypt, compelled Pharaoh, thought to be the most powerful man in the world, to obey. Because of the plagues, we realize that Pharaoh learned of the Lord, but we do not know if this changed Pharaoh’s heart. Pharaoh had a belief system that denied there was a God of Israel that had dominion over him. As a consequence, he also decided that God’s command had no authority.
Pharaoh’s world view is still a prevailing doctrine today. Many deny God’s existence, and therefore they think his commands have no basis other than in human tradition. Tradition can always evolve. Still others profess a belief in a higher being, but deny any authority over human behavior.
I struggle with obedience too. I have not rid my life of sin. So I am asking myself, if I give in to my sinful desires, has sin mastered me? If I obey my cravings, are they my lord? Even if I deny God’s sovereignty, am I really my own master? What lies and rationalizations I spin for myself. How about you? What do you obey? What is your master?
Welcome to The Red Cell!
If this is your first visit here, please take a moment to peruse the posts and comments. Try to see things from the vantage point of someone who does not know God.
The "Red Cell Thoughts" are not to be taken as a position of this blog- they are meant to stir thought. Please feel free to post other thoughts, questions, and possible answers. All posts are anonymous, but feel free to provide your name if you so desire. The Red Cell facilitators reserve the right to edit comments that are rude or offensive. Having said that, a little bit of offensiveness may be allowed- because if we offend no-one, then we might not be working hard enough! Remember, the Christian religion was founded on questioning the prevailing wisdom of the day and the Protestant Reformation continued that tradition. Don't be afraid to question all your assumptions.
Monday, January 11, 2010
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