She Abides

I was reading Exodus with the Lord, specifically chapters 7 to 13, and I tried thinking from Pharaoh’s POV. If he was obedient to God’s request, it would have meant letting go of over 600,000 people. From an economical viewpoint:

• The Hebrews did most of the hard labour in Egypt.
• This would leave a lot of jobs vacant.
• Pharaoh and his advisors would have to find people to fill those roles.
• Egypt’s economy would have been in shambles, etc.

What if Pharaoh’s disobedience was manifested because of the sacrifices he would have to make? He was so set on holding on to the Hebrews because of they did most of the hard labour but in the end, the suffering he endured because of his disobedience was far more than the suffering that would have come out of being obedient. If he was obedient, all he would have lost is 600,000+ workers and probably some of Egypt’s national wealth. But instead, Pharaoh’s disobedience cost him:

• Egypt’s main water supply (Exodus 7:14-24)
• Egypt’s food supply (Exodus 9:1-7 & 10:1-20)
• His first-born son and heir to his throne (Exodus chapters 11-12)
• His workforce, the Israelites (Exodus 12:31-32)
• Most of Egypt’s national wealth (Exodus 12:35-36)
• And finally, his military army (Exodus 14:5-28)

The suffering experienced when being disobedient is of a greater magnitude than the suffering experienced when being obedient. The suffering that one goes through while being disobedient did not have to happen, it could have been prevented. Meanwhile, the suffering felt by sacrificing things to be obedient to God had to be done because there is purpose in them.

“In fact, this is love for God: to keep His commands. And His commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” ~ 1 John 5:3-4.

Obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). It may be painful, but He is with us in our suffering as Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 34:18 & Romans 8:37-39 reminds us. He will never leave nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6).