Monday Apr 15, 2019

Empathy for the Wicked - Pharaoh

Matthew Vander Els from Founded In Truth Fellowship delivers a compelling Bible teaching centered on the figure of Pharaoh in the Book of Exodus. Initially hesitant to address this biblical antagonist due to his perceived irredeemable wickedness, the teaching aims to explore the motivations and consequences of Pharaoh's actions, ultimately drawing parallels to the human condition and offering lessons for contemporary life.

The narrative begins by briefly recapping the story of Joseph, who, despite being sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers, rose to immense power, becoming second only to Pharaoh. Joseph's family, the descendants of Jacob, eventually joined him in Egypt, settling in the fertile land of Goshen and experiencing prosperity for several generations. This seemingly idyllic period comes to an abrupt end with the rise of a new king who "did not know Joseph." This new Pharaoh, unaware of Joseph's contributions and perhaps threatened by the growing number of Israelites, subjected them to harsh oppression, including forced labor and the infanticide of Hebrew baby boys. This drastic shift from blessing to suffering sets the stage for the emergence of Moses, who, having been rescued from the Nile and raised in Pharaoh's household, was called by God to lead the Israelites out of slavery.

Moses confronts Pharaoh, demanding the release of the Israelites in the name of Yahweh. In response, God unleashes a series of devastating plagues upon Egypt, each intended to break Pharaoh's resistance. These plagues include turning the Nile into blood, infestations of frogs and gnats, swarms of flies, the death of livestock, painful boils, destructive hail, locusts that consumed all vegetation, a thick darkness covering the land, and finally, the death of every firstborn in Egypt. Despite the escalating devastation and the pleas of his own advisors who witnessed the power of Yahweh, Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let the Israelites go.

The teaching delves into the critical question of Pharaoh's hardened heart. It clarifies that while the Bible does state that "the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart," this was not a unilateral act of divine manipulation. By examining the original Hebrew text, it is revealed that in the initial plagues, Pharaoh himself chose to harden his heart. It wasn't until the sixth plague of boils that God explicitly intervened and hardened Pharaoh's heart. This pattern continues, with instances where Pharaoh and his officials hardened their hearts and times when God intervened. This nuanced understanding suggests that Pharaoh initially made his own choices to defy God, reaching a point where God then used Pharaoh's own wickedness to further His redemptive plan.

Pharaoh is presented as the first archetypal villain in the Bible, embodying the pinnacle of human rebellion against God. He represents the consequences of humanity's desire to define good and evil independently of divine wisdom, a theme that traces back to the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11. Pharaoh's relentless pursuit of power and his refusal to acknowledge Yahweh's sovereignty serve as a stark warning against the dangers of unchecked pride and self-deification. His willingness to sacrifice his own people and the prosperity of his kingdom for his ego highlights the destructive nature of sin.

The tenth and final plague, the death of the firstborn, leads to the institution of Passover. The Israelites were instructed to sacrifice a lamb and place its blood on their doorposts as a sign of protection from the angel of death. This event is depicted as a festival of freedom from slavery and a celebration of God's redemptive work. The teaching draws a powerful connection between the Passover lamb and Yeshua (Jesus Christ), portraying the Last Supper as a Passover meal where the bread symbolized His body and the wine His blood, shed for the forgiveness of sins. The death and resurrection of Yeshua are presented as the greater Passover, delivering humanity from the slavery of sin and evil, just as the Exodus delivered the Israelites from physical bondage. Christian baptism is further linked to this narrative, symbolizing the passing through the waters from slavery to freedom and being raised to new life in God, mirroring the Israelites' crossing of the Red Sea.

The story does not end with the Exodus. Even after being liberated, the Israelites displayed patterns of stubbornness, complaining, and ingratitude in the wilderness, mirroring the very Pharaoh they had escaped. This serves as a crucial reminder that the human heart is perpetually susceptible to the allure of self-rule and the temptations of power and oppression. The teaching points to examples in later biblical history, such as Solomon's use of slave labor to build the temple and the oppression within the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, illustrating the recurring tendency for God's people to adopt the characteristics of those they were meant to be distinct from.

Drawing from Romans 1, the speaker explains how God sometimes "gives people over" to their own darkened hearts when they persistently reject Him and embrace evil. This is not a proactive instigation of evil but a consequence of human choices, allowing individuals to be consumed by their own lusts and selfish desires, much like Pharaoh's relentless pursuit of his own glory led to his downfall.

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Application for Everyday Life

Recognize the potential for "Pharaoh" within ourselves: We may not be rulers of nations, but we can all be tempted by pride, a desire for control, and a reluctance to submit to God's will. Regularly examine your own heart for these tendencies.
Be mindful of hardening your own heart: Just as Pharaoh initially chose to resist God's commands, we can also become calloused to the promptings of the Holy Spirit through repeated disobedience. Be receptive to conviction and willing to repent.
Understand the progressive nature of sin: Pharaoh's wickedness escalated over time. Recognize that seemingly small compromises can lead to greater moral decline if left unchecked.
Embrace God's redemptive work through Yeshua: The Passover and the Exodus story point to the ultimate liberation found in Christ. Acknowledge His sacrifice and live in the freedom He offers from the slavery of sin.
Beware of mimicking the world's patterns: Just as the Israelites risked becoming like Pharaoh after their liberation, Christians must be vigilant against adopting the selfish and oppressive tendencies of the world around them. Strive to live according to God's values of love, justice, and humility.
Take warnings seriously: God's interactions with Pharaoh demonstrate that there are consequences for persistent rebellion. Pay attention to the warnings in Scripture and the promptings of the Spirit.
Humble yourself before God: Recognize God's sovereignty over your life and submit to His authority. Seek His guidance and be willing to turn from your own self-centered pursuits.

Empathy for the Wicked - Pharaoh

Empathy for the Wicked - Pharaoh

Application for Everyday Life

References

Bible Verses

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