Daily Devotions
Exodus
"The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth." Psalm 34:16
Text: Exodus 10 : 7-8
REMONSTRATION FROM THE SERVANTS OF PHARAOH
Immediately after delivering a message from the Lord, Moses turned and walked away from Pharaoh. No attempt was made to restrain him. Pharaoh seemed oblivious to the problems that the plagues had created in the country!
“Then Pharaoh’s servants said to him,
‘How long shall this man be a snare to us?
Let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God.
Do you not yet know that Egypt is destroyed?”
Exodus 10:7
1. The Voice of Fear
The Pharaoh was usually held in the highest esteem by his subjects. He was regarded as Divine! In ordinary circumstances, no one would dream of raising an objection to Pharaoh! But these were not ordinary times! The plagues had come one after the other in quick succession! Many of the servants of God were in fear of the next plague that would hit Egypt!
2. The Voice of Reason
The servants of Pharaoh knew that they had to approach him very carefully. Their opinions had to be backed by facts and strong reasons! They presented undeniable facts. Egypt was being destroyed before their very eyes! Surely these facts must form the best set of reasons for Pharaoh to re-consider his approach to Moses!
3. The Voice of Frustration
The servants of Pharaoh were his courtiers! They were his ministers, his advisers, and his magicians! They had already warned Pharaoh that they were dealing with a powerful God, but Pharaoh had refused to listen! Out of frustration, the servants of Pharaoh gave vent to what they felt deep down. They must make Pharaoh see that the course he was taking was both slippery and dangerous!
CONCESSION MADE
Pharaoh reluctantly complied. He summoned Moses and Aaron to appear before him.
“And he said to them, ‘Go, serve the LORD your God.
Who are the ones that are going?'”
Exodus 10:8
Pressured by his court officials, Pharaoh attempted to find out more details from Moses and Aaron. Who were the worshippers? Pharaoh had tried this approach previously. He would attempt to engage Moses and Aaron in a discussion as to who may be allowed to go! If Pharaoh were to make some concessions, would it not be “fair” to reciprocate. Would Moses be more open about discussing the matter of who would leave Egypt to go and serve the God of Israel?