Scripture Focus: “So Moses and Aaron were brought again to Pharaoh, and he said to them, ‘Go, serve the Lord your God. Who are the ones that are going?’” Exodus 10:8 NKJV
Pharaoh’s arrogance was revealed not only in his stubbornness but also in his attempt to negotiate with God. God’s command was clear: “Let My people go.” Yet Pharaoh bargained for partial obedience. At one point he said only the men could go, later he demanded the children remain, and eventually he tried to keep their livestock. This was pride at its peak, to think he could dictate the terms of obedience to the Almighty. But partial obedience is disobedience, and compromise with God’s will is rebellion in disguise. Pharaoh’s pride blinded him to the fact that the God of Israel does not bargain with men.
We often repeat Pharaoh’s mistake in subtle ways. God tells us to surrender fully, but we hold back areas of our lives. He calls us to holiness, and we insist on “small allowances” for sin. He asks us to forgive completely, and we choose to forgive selectively. He commands us to serve Him with all our heart, yet we offer Him what is convenient. Negotiating with God only leads to bondage and regret. True freedom comes from full obedience. The moment you stop bargaining and start obeying, you step into the abundant life God designed for you.
Prayer: Lord, deliver me from the pride of negotiating with You. Give me a heart that surrenders fully to Your will without compromise. Amen.
Further Study: Exodus 10:7–11, 24–26; 1 Samuel 15:22–23; Luke 9:23