Freedom to Reject, Mercy to Warn

 

"Freedom to Reject, Mercy to Warn"

Text: Exodus 8:20–9:12

We stand in awe of the mighty works of God—His wonders in the heavens, His miracles on earth, and His supreme authority over all creation. Yet, Exodus 8:20–9:12 shows us a sobering reality: even in the face of overwhelming divine power, human hearts can remain stubborn, hardened, and defiant. In these passages, God sends plague after plague, each one revealing not only His power but also His mercy, warning Pharaoh and Egypt again and again. But Pharaoh chooses to reject God.

Today, we’ll explore this truth: however great may be the manifestations of God's glory, humanity still has the freedom to reject Him. We'll see how this applies to us today—and why we must guard our hearts from pride and hardness.

The Plagues: God's Power Unleashed

Exodus 8:20–9:12 covers the fourth through sixth plagues:

• Plague of Flies (8:20–32): A swarm of flies fills the Egyptian homes and land, except in Goshen, where God's people live—God shows His ability to distinguish between His people and the world.

• Plague on Livestock (9:1–7): A deadly pestilence wipes out Egypt’s livestock, again sparing the animals of Israel.

• Plague of Boils (9:8–12): Painful boils break out on both humans and animals. Even the Egyptian magicians cannot stand before Moses.

These judgments are not random—they are deliberate attacks on Egypt’s gods:

• Uatchit, goddess of the fly—rendered powerless by Yahweh's plague.

• Hathor, goddess of love and protector of cattle—unable to stop the pestilence.

• Imhotep, god of medicine—powerless to heal or protect the people.

• Even the magicians, seen as intermediaries of divine power, were brought low by the boils.

Each plague dismantles Egypt’s false religion and shows Yahweh as the one true God. Yet despite all this, Pharaoh hardens his heart.

Free Will in the Face of God's Glory

This story shows us a profound and often painful truth: God does not force obedience.

God showed Pharaoh His power, His justice, and His ability to protect His people—but Pharaoh still had the freedom to say "No." He saw miracles with his own eyes. He heard warnings from God’s prophet. He even witnessed mercy, like when God removed the plagues at Pharaoh's request. Still, Pharaoh refused to surrender.

This freedom to reject God is one of the most mysterious aspects of human responsibility. We ask, “Why wouldn’t someone believe after seeing such signs?” But the answer lies not in the eyes, but in the heart.

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

Guarding Our Hearts

If Pharaoh’s heart could harden under divine light, then we too must be cautious. Hardened hearts aren’t always loud and angry—they can become crusted over slowly through pride, comfort, distraction, or fear.

Here’s how we guard our hearts:

1. Stay humble before God. Pharaoh's pride made him blind. Humility opens the door to God's correction.

2. Don’t delay obedience. Pharaoh delayed and negotiated with God. We must act when God speaks.

3. Examine your response to correction. Do we resist conviction, or repent and change?

4. Remember God’s mercy. Each plague could have been final—but God gave Pharaoh chance after chance. God is merciful, but His patience is not eternal.

A Warning and a Hope

The story is a warning: you can see God's power and still reject Him. But it's also an invitation: you can turn to Him today. The same God who judged Egypt is the One who sent His Son to bear judgment in our place.

Hebrews 3:15 warns us:

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”

God still speaks. He still calls. He still warns. But we must listen.

How Will You Respond?

Pharaoh serves as a mirror for all of us. The question is not whether God is real, or whether He speaks—the question is, how will we respond when He does?

Let’s not wait for life to fall apart to finally bow. Let’s not demand signs and wonders, when we already have the cross, the resurrection, and the Holy Spirit. Let us guard our hearts, walk in humble obedience, and say, “Yes, Lord,” when He calls. Amen.

More: Sabbath School EXODUS Lesson 4 - The Plagues