InstaStudy

The Peril of "Tomorrow": Responding to God's Call

An exploration of the biblical account of Pharaoh's delay in obeying God's command, examining the dangers of procrastination in spiritual matters and the importance of immediate response to the divine will.

1. God's Immediate Command and Expectation

1.1 The Clarity of God's Word

Verses: Exodus 8:1; Exodus 8:20; Isaiah 55:11
  • God's instructions are direct and leave no room for misinterpretation.
  • His word is powerful and accomplishes what it sets out to do.
  • Divine commands are not suggestions but authoritative declarations.

1.2 The Urgency of Divine Instruction

Verses: Exodus 8:10; Hebrews 3:7-8; 2 Corinthians 6:2
  • God often requires an immediate response to His directives.
  • Delaying obedience can be a sign of a hardened heart.
  • The present moment is the acceptable time for God's call.

1.3 The Authority Behind the Command

Verses: Exodus 7:5; Psalm 33:9; John 1:3
  • The one true God, the Creator of all, issues these commands.
  • His word carries ultimate power and cannot be defied indefinitely.
  • All authority in heaven and earth belongs to Him.

2. Pharaoh's Procrastination: A Case Study in Delay

2.1 The Opportunity for Immediate Deliverance

Verses: Exodus 8:8; Exodus 8:9; Proverbs 27:1
  • Pharaoh was given a clear chance to end the plague.
  • God's mercy often precedes His judgment, offering a way out.
  • We should not boast about tomorrow, for we do not know what a day may bring.

2.2 The Choice of "Tomorrow"

Verses: Exodus 8:10; James 4:13-14; Proverbs 27:1
  • Pharaoh's decision to wait was a deliberate act of resistance.
  • Delaying obedience often stems from a desire to maintain control or avoid discomfort.
  • Presuming upon future time is a dangerous spiritual gamble.

2.3 The Cost of Delay

Verses: Exodus 8:13-14; Exodus 8:17; Romans 2:4-5
  • Pharaoh's delay led to prolonged suffering for his people.
  • The consequences of disobedience often multiply with procrastination.
  • Delaying repentance stores up wrath for the day of judgment.

3. The Consequences of Resisting God's Will

3.1 Prolonged Suffering and Hardship

Verses: Exodus 8:14; Exodus 9:3; Galatians 6:7
  • Disobedience does not make problems disappear; it often exacerbates them.
  • Pharaoh's choice meant more days of stench and discomfort for Egypt.
  • What one sows, that will one also reap.

3.2 Increased Divine Judgment

Verses: Exodus 9:14; Exodus 10:1-2; Hebrews 10:26-27
  • God's judgments intensify when His warnings are ignored.
  • Each plague became more severe as Pharaoh's heart hardened.
  • There is a fearful expectation of judgment for those who willfully persist in sin.

3.3 The Hardening of the Heart

Verses: Exodus 8:15; Exodus 9:34; Hebrews 3:13
  • Repeated resistance to God's voice leads to a spiritual insensitivity.
  • Pharaoh's own choices contributed to the hardening of his heart.
  • Sin is deceitful and can harden the heart against God's truth.

4. The Call to Immediate Obedience

4.1 Responding to the Spirit's Leading

Verses: Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Romans 8:14
  • When God speaks, whether through His word or His Spirit, we must respond without delay.
  • The call to repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ is immediate.
  • Those led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

4.2 The Blessings of Prompt Action

Verses: Deuteronomy 28:1-2; Isaiah 1:19; John 14:21
  • Immediate obedience unlocks God's blessings and favor.
  • Willingness and obedience lead to eating the good of the land.
  • Those who love God and keep His commandments are loved by Him.

4.3 Embracing the Present Moment for God

Verses: Matthew 6:34; Luke 9:62; Philippians 3:13-14
  • Do not worry about tomorrow; today is the day for God's work.
  • No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.
  • Press forward towards the prize of the high calling in Christ.