A Tale of Two Pharaohs
There are often several different stories in Scripture of people who follow after God, and stories of those who don’t.
We always see the benefits of following after God and the repercussions for those who don’t.
There are always more to disobey rather than obey.
The best comparisons to look at are the ones that are closest in comparison.
One of those I’d like to point out this evening is the difference between the king of Egypt in Joseph’s time, and the king of Egypt in Moses’ time.
There are a couple different timeframes given here for the time that passed by these two pharaohs: 430 years (Exo. 12:40) and ~240 years (from several different places, talked about in Chronology Class) – I tend to agree with the shorter timeframe. Our own country is about 240 years old… just think of the differences between George Washington and Donald Trump.
Whatever the case, these two pharaohs could not be more dissimilar, at least when it comes to their adherence to God.
Joseph’s Pharaoh.
We are not 100% sure who he was, but we know the Lord gave him a dream.
In trying to determine the meaning of this dream, he sought out the wise men of his day but could not find its interpretation.
Someone told him of Joseph, and he brought him to him.
Once he heard the interpretation, it made sense to him, and he heeded God’s man (Gen. 41:38-39).
What was the result? A blessed nation, fed and taken care of. But more than that, all the wealth and land they were able to acquire in exchange for food (Gen. 47:13ff).
God blessed Egypt because their king listened to Him.
Moses’ Pharaoh.
Again, not 100% sure who he was, but we are almost certain it was not Ramses II.
He was not motivated by a dream like Joseph’s Pharaoh was, but by pride.
Moses comes to this pharaoh making a request to let his people go.
Instead of hearing this wise man, he makes the Israelites’ task harder.
Moses keeps coming to Pharaoh, showing the miracles of God through his staff turning into a serpent to the 10 plagues we are familiar with.
Water to blood, frogs, lice, flies, sick cattle, boils, hail and fire, locusts, & darkness.
And despite all these miracles coming forth, that even his own magicians by the third plague say: “This is the finger of God” (Exo. 8:19).
But continuing on, it says, “But Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, just as the Lord had said.”
He had miracle after miracle, and yet he still would not relent for his pride.
All the other Pharaoh had was a dream and the right interpretation of it.
Finally, the last plague, the death of all the firstborn in Egypt—this broke Pharaoh.
But not for long—after the Israelites were on their way he tried chasing them down.
His entire army was lost in the Red Sea.
So, because of his stubbornness and pride, what was the result? A crippled kingdom: no food, no cattle, sickness, death, and the loss of his army.
God cursed Egypt because their king refused to hear Him.
What application can we take from this?
Will we become wealthy and powerful because we follow God?
Will we be brought low if we don’t?
Not always, but it depends.
Many of us make our own problems.
But if we’re living as we ought, there are some problems we won’t have: a pregnancy out of wedlock, divorce, STD, DUI, criminal record, etc.
As a result our lives will be so much better—the best life!
This can only be achieved with godliness and contentment (1 Tim. 6:6).
The best blessings we will have are spiritual in nature.
As Joseph’s Pharaoh was blessed for trusting God, we will be, too.
I encourage you to be more like Joseph’s Pharaoh.
Abandon your stubbornness and pride like that of Moses’ Pharaoh.
“God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).
Allow your hearts to be melted, and “humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will live you up.” (James 4:10).
Only then will you be receptive to what the Lord has to say, only then will you be ready to obey the gospel.
I pray that we all will humble ourselves and obey Him that we might all be saved.