Read to Read …Again
Daily Reading: Exodus 4-6
Exodus 5:2
And Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go.
Knowing the Lord is the key to obeying the Lord. This Pharaoh knew not Joseph, nor did he know the Lord of Joseph. No doubt this Pharaoh could have known the exploits of Joseph, for certainly they were well remembered in Egypt. By knowing Joseph, he would have been introduced to the Lord of Joseph, for it was He that gave the interpretation of the dream of Pharaoh’s predecessor. But this new Pharaoh was ignorant of the Lord, willingly ignorant.
He knew not God. Therefore, there was no desire on his part to obey the Lord. Sadly, this same scenario plays itself out over and over throughout the Bible. Those that do not know the Lord will not obey the Lord. Those that do know the Lord learn to obey the Lord. For to know the Lord is to love the Lord, and to love the Lord is to obey the Lord (John 14:15).
Daniel knew the importance of knowing God, …but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. Daniel 11:32. Throughout God’s Word this truth is proven over and over again. God’s people perform miraculous things, not on their own power but through Him who they know and obey. For if a person will come to know the God of the Bible, the Lord of lords, repentance is not far behind. Romans 2:4 proves this; Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? The goodness of God means His goodness, His perfectness, His righteousness, His Holiness and Glory. When a person comes face to face with Him, they will be influenced to be more like Him. This is only performed through repentance and the forsaking of known sin.
But Pharaoh knew Him not.
In a world that craves for Bible messages that speak to the believers power, ability, prosperity, and the practical things of this life, let there be a warning sounded. Let this warning spring from the words of Paul to that misguided church at Corinth, But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness, I Corinthians 1:23. Through the preaching about Christ the Lord, about the Lord God of Heaven, and about His Spirit in and through believers; then and only then can He be known.
Years ago, I wrote this for myself, I quote it often when I need Him, or at least a better understanding of Him. Perhaps it will help someone else.
Be real to me when I read your Word.
Be real to me when I pray.
Be real to me when I need you most.
Be real to me today.
By reading God’s Word He can be known. Perhaps not understood, but known. When we know Him, obeying Him is not far away. But for this Pharaoh, he knew not the Lord and he was diabolical.
William T. Howe Ph.D.
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