The Response of Those Who Don’t Know God

Moses and Aaron go to Pharaoh with their official request. There is a pronouncement that this has come from God. But beyond that, there is an introduction regarding who “the Lord” is. In this case, it is the God of Israel which is specified here because Pharaoh wouldn’t have recognized their God.

I want to break down the lack of knowing God in two ways. First, there is a lack of knowledge where someone knows that God exists and yet chooses to reject Him. The other aspect of this is that they haven’t fully understood the gospel. Regardless, they don’t know God and therefore refuse to obey His commands which is where Pharaoh is at this moment.

So, what is the response from a man who does not know God. First,

They are in direct opposition to God (v. 2-14)

Pharaoh is concerned about taking the people away from their work and so the Egyptians will no longer supply them with straw to make bricks as they previously had. The purpose of doing this was to both further break the spirits of the people of Israel as well taking away any hope that they might have of being released from Egypt.

Specifically here I want to focus on the desire of the people to worship God on the mountain. This is something that is demanded by God and yet they are not being allowed to do it because Pharaoh doesn’t know Him.

He makes zero attempt to learn of Him or to determine whether or not the request is legitimate. Ultimately, the well-being of Egypt is of more importance to him than the command that is being made by God to Him.

To not know God is to have zero regard for Him, His commands, or His people. This comes in the form most often of opposition to Him. And thus His commands.

This leads to the second point which is

There is a lack of mercy to those who belong to God (v.15-19)

Rather than hearing the cries of the people of Israel, Pharaoh tells them to get back to work and that their quota would remain the same. There is no pity from the Egyptians for the people of God. Instead their work load is greatly increased.