"A QUESTION FOR THE PROUD" (Pastor Tom Henry) ~ 3/12/26

“How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me?” (Exodus 10:3)

Pharoah is the quintessential proud man, i.e., his prefect type and image. With the very mention of his name, our minds immediately recall his arrogant response to Moses’ initial appeal to let God’s people go: “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice?” Pharoah, as an abusive, oppressive despot with almost unlimited power and authority, who had become intoxicated with the “worship” of his subjects, merely thought of Jehovah as one of the same stamp as himself.

The pride which grew in Pharoah’s heart to so colossal a form is the same as is found in the hearts of all fallen mankind. It still wages war against God and refuses to obey His voice. It treats His holy law as no more than good suggestions which can be violated without consequences. Likewise, it treats His Gospel commands to repent and believe with the same disdain, seeing them as optional. Is not this attitude the same as Pharoah’s? It essentially says, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice?” If this is you, may the question of the text challenge your pride: “How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me?”

As Moss and Aaron came to Pharoah with this question there must have been astonishment in their voice. The question was framed by the Lord, and spoken in the first person, but it was delivered through Moses and Aaron. Considering all that had taken place since Pharoah’s initial refusal to let the people go, surely there were tones of amazement as they put this question forth, “How long wilt thou refuse?” He had contemptuously said, “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice?” By now God had sent seven severe judgements, any of which would have totally destroyed Egypt had not the Lord in mercy lifted them. If Pharoah by this time had not begun to understand Who this Jehovah is, and why he should obey Him, what is it going to take? How long?

We’ve seen cases in Gospel ministry that closely parallel that of Pharoah. Folks “resist the Holy Ghost” (Acts 7:51); they refuse to repent and turn to Christ that they might have life. Even harsh providences, rather than humbling them, only seem to harden them more. Pharoah, through his refusals, was hardening his own heart. (Ch. 7:22; 8:32; 9:7) This is always a great concern with those who continue to reject the Gospel call. Jesus said, “Ye will not come to me that ye might have life.” Don’t let this be you! Hear Him when He, with outstretched arms, says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28) James says, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” (James 4:10) Peter tells us that, “God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” He then admonishes, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God.” (I Pet. 5:5, 6) “Why should ye be stricken any more?” (Isa. 1:5) When the Lord is speaking through rough messengers (harsh providences) saying, “Seek ye my face,” let your response be, “Thy face, LORD, will I seek.” (Psa. 27:8) Rather than to continue kicking against the goads, why not say:

            “Just as I am, without one plea,

            But that Thy blood was shed for me;

            And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,

            Oh, Lamb of God, I come, I come.”?

As this question suggests an air of astonishment that one could suffer so many crushing blows and still refuse to bow the knee to Sovereign authority, it also breathes a spirit of kindness. That God’s heart is not inclined to judgment, but rather to mercy, is seen even in this case. The question itself is proof of this fact. Why was Pharoah allowed more than one refusal? Why did God wink, as it were, at his show of contempt? (Ch.5:2) When the Lord says, “How long?” does this not suggest yet another chance to do the right thing?

That which God required of Pharoah was the right thing to do. To let a people go, whom he had no right to keep against their will; on whose backs he had no right to enrich himself, was the right thing. To persuade sinners to quit their sin and rebellion is the right thing to do. To convince them to do it sooner rather than later is a great kindness. “How long?” How much longer will you wait? Pharoah held out until God’s longsuffering was at last exhausted, and there was no other alternative but to destroy him. How much better to quit resisting and humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and let Him lift you up. “God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”