Who is the Lord?

Ever been in a situation where someone raises a question not because they want an answer, but to shut down the conversation?  

Pharaoh is one of those people.

Moses and Aaron stood in front of the most powerful man in the world and got a flat refusal dressed up as a question. Pharaoh went straight for what he actually cared about: the bricks and the labour.

“Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the wilderness.’” ² Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go.” ³ Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Now let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God, or he may strike us with plagues or with the sword.” ⁴ But the king of Egypt said, “Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people away from their labour? Get back to your work!” ⁵ Then Pharaoh said, “Look, the people of the land are now numerous, and you are stopping them from working.” (Exodus 5 v 1-5)

Do you know those questions that are more about the challenge rather than seeking an answer? Here is an example.

“Who is the Lord, that I should obey him?” He was ending the conversation, unwilling to accept an answer. He didn’t really want to know the Lord’s identity, and what Pharaoh says next shows as much: “You’re stopping them from working.” The real issue was control. Moses and Aaron didn’t win the argument that day. Pharaoh’s heart didn’t move an inch. But they said what needed to be said anyway.

We tend to measure obedience by results, but sometimes obedience looks like a door slammed in your face.

You may have been obedient, but the silence received isn’t proof you got it wrong. It might just be Pharaoh, being Pharaoh.

Say it anyway. Let God work it out.