With nothing but a stick in his hand, and the desert sun beating against his brow, Moses confronted Pharaoh and demanded that he let the children of Israel go. It’s amazing what a faith filled child of God will do when he has no doubt that God has spoken to him.
Pharaoh answered, "Who is the Lord that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go." A proud heart cannot hear God; neither can they respond in humble submission to the will of God. God demonstrated His grace to Pharaoh by respecting his position, and sending His representative to speak to him even though He knew Pharaoh would not listen.
The children of Israel replied, "The God of the Hebrews
hath met with us: let us go we pray thee, three days journey into the desert,
and sacrifice unto the Lord our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or
with the sword." And the king of Egypt said unto them, "Wherefore do
ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? Get you unto your burdens
Exodus 5:2-4. (KJV)
Although Moses and Aaron were firm in their commands to Pharaoh, he resisted. He was not able to submit to spiritual authority. After their confrontation with the king, Moses and Aaron went to the Lord. You see, when God sends a word through somebody, He never backs down from it. He watches over every word so that not one letter fails.
God said unto them, "Now shall thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land" Exodus 6:1. (KJV)
Even though the king’s heart was hardened, Moses had the assurance of Almighty God. The Lord had given him His word, and that was all he needed to get the victory. "I have made thee a god unto Pharaoh, and Aaron thy brother shall be a prophet. Thou shall speak all that I command" Exodus 7:1. (KJV)
Why was Moses so confident? Because with God comes absolute confidence. God’s word is sure; as sure as the mercies of David. If He could swear by none other, He would swear by Himself. His word will succeed no matter how impossible.
God, in His omnipotence, knew Pharaoh would not hearken unto his voice. He spoke this unto Moses to encourage him. "But Pharaoh will not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hands upon Egypt, and bring forth mine army and the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt by great judgment."
Moses and Aaron, as well as the magicians of Pharaoh, performed many miracles. Even after numerous plagues were sent on the people of Egypt, Pharaoh would not submit. After the curse that destroyed the firstborn of every family, Pharaoh repented, and allowed the children of Israel to go.
What can we gather from the story of Moses? All earthly authority is nonexistence when God is in control. No matter how long we have been in bondage, God will deliver us. Moses was the natural deliverer that God used, but the power of God did the work. He is the deliver of us all.
By Naomi Brown