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

I Do Not Know the Lord

“I Do Not Know the Lord”

Text: Exodus 5:1–2

In Exodus 5, Moses and Aaron deliver a bold and divine message to Pharaoh:

“Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: ‘Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.’” (Exod. 5:1)

But Pharaoh’s reply is defiant and dismissive:

“Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and moreover, I will not let Israel go.” (Exod. 5:2)

This short exchange is a collision of two worldviews: God’s authority versus human pride. And Pharaoh’s response reveals more than a personal refusal—it reflects the heart of rebellion that still resists God today.

Pharaoh’s Response: Rejection and Ignorance

Pharaoh responds with two declarations:

1. “Who is the Lord?”
   Pharaoh didn’t deny gods existed—he had a whole pantheon of them. But Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, was unknown to him. He saw no reason to submit to this foreign deity.

2. “I do not know the Lord… I will not let Israel go.”
   This wasn’t just ignorance—it was willful ignorance. Pharaoh’s heart was proud and closed. His mind was made up before he heard the message.

Significance:

• Pharaoh’s rejection highlights the natural human resistance to God’s rule.

• It foreshadows the hardening of his heart throughout the plagues.

• It sets the stage for God to make Himself known—through mighty acts that will answer Pharaoh’s question: “Who is the Lord?”

The World Still Says: “I Don’t Know the Lord”

Many today echo Pharaoh’s words—not always in anger or defiance, but in confusion, indifference, or ignorance:

• “I don’t know the Lord.”

• “Why should I obey Him?”

• “How do I even know He’s real?”

Sometimes this comes from arrogance, like Pharaoh. But often, it comes from lack of experience with God’s truth and love. And here is where we enter the picture.

Our Response to Those Who Don’t Know the Lord

1. Be Patient and Compassionate.
Not everyone is Pharaoh. Some genuinely don’t know God because they’ve never seen Him modeled. We can be the first glimpse of God’s love they encounter.

“Always be prepared to give an answer… with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15)

2. Point Them to the Lord Through Your Life.
Pharaoh needed to see God’s power. Many today need to see God’s love—through us.

Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16)

3. Speak Boldly—but Humbly—About Who God Is.
Moses didn’t back down from Pharaoh. And we shouldn’t shrink from speaking about our faith. But like Moses, we can speak with humility, knowing it’s God who works through us.

4. Pray for God to Reveal Himself.
Ultimately, only God can change hearts. He can show Himself to those who say, “I don’t know the Lord”—just as He revealed Himself in Egypt.

The Lord Will Make Himself Known

Pharaoh said, “I don’t know the Lord.”
By the end of the story, he knew. All of Egypt knew. The plagues, the Passover, the parting of the sea—all answered Pharaoh’s question.

But let’s not miss this: God wanted to be known not just as Judge, but as Deliverer. And that’s the same heart God has today.

“This is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” (John 17:3)

When the World Doesn’t Know God

So what do we do when someone says, “I don’t know the Lord”?
We don’t argue them into faith. We show them. We live out the truth. We speak with grace. And we pray that the Lord who revealed Himself in Egypt will also reveal Himself to them—through His Word, His Spirit, and even through us.

Let’s be people who know the Lord—and make Him known.

Prayer:

Lord, we live in a world where many say, “I don’t know the Lord.” Help us be vessels of Your love and truth. Teach us to respond with grace, boldness, and compassion. And may those who don’t know You come to know You through Jesus, Your Son, our Savior. Amen.

More: Sabbath School Lesson 3 - Rough Start

Why Did Jesus' Hometown of Nazereth Reject Him?

 

Mark 6:1–6 describes Jesus' visit to His hometown, Nazareth, where He was rejected by the people. The passage reads as follows (NIV):

1. Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples.

2. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.

“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing?

3. Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

4. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.”

5. He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.

6. He was amazed at their lack of faith. Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village.

 Reasons for Rejection:

Familiarity: The people of Nazareth knew Jesus as a common carpenter and the son of Mary. They were familiar with His family, and this familiarity bred contempt. They found it hard to reconcile their image of Jesus as a humble local carpenter with the idea of Him being a wise teacher and miracle worker. This is evident in their rhetorical questions: "Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son...?"

Preconceived Notions: The townspeople had preconceived notions about who Jesus was and what He could do. These notions were based on their long-term knowledge of His background and family. They were not open to the possibility that someone they had known for years could possess divine wisdom and power.

Skepticism and Lack of Faith: Their skepticism and lack of faith prevented them from accepting Jesus’ teachings and miracles. This is highlighted in verses 5 and 6, where it is noted that Jesus could not perform many miracles there due to their unbelief. Their doubt and lack of faith limited the manifestation of His power in their midst.

Offense at His Authority: The people took offense at Jesus’ teachings and His authoritative claims. They were likely offended that someone from their own town, whom they perceived as an ordinary person, was now presenting Himself as a significant religious figure with authority. This offense led to their rejection of Him.

Prophetic Precedent: Jesus Himself acknowledges a broader prophetic precedent when He says, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” This indicates that prophets often face rejection from those who are most familiar with them, as familiarity can lead to a lack of respect and recognition of their divine calling and authority.

 Summary

The rejection of Jesus by the people of His hometown was multifaceted, involving familiarity, preconceived notions, skepticism, offense at His authority, and a general lack of faith. These factors combined to create an environment where the townspeople could not accept Jesus for who He truly was, thus limiting His ability to perform miracles among them. This episode underscores the challenges that come with proclaiming a prophetic or divine message among those who think they know you best.