As the land of Egypt suffered through the plagues God sent against them in punishment for Pharaoh’s refusal to allow the Israelites to go into the desert and serve the LORD, Pharaoh, having already broken many promises but under pressure from his servants (Exodus 10:7), offered up a compromise solution. Pharaoh offered to let the Israelites go into the wilderness but only on the condition that they leave their children behind (Exodus 10:8-11). The Lord’s response was the plague of locusts followed by darkness. Then Pharaoh offered to let the Israelites go into the wilderness and take their children, but on the condition that they leave their flocks and herds behind. But Moses rejected his offer because it was not what God wanted (Exodus 10:24-26).
Often today, people wish to bargain with God over what he will allow and what he requires of them. For some reason, they believe that if they go along with some of God’s requirements, he should just forget about the rest. However, God does not operate that way. He knows what is best for us and offers us a covenant that is in our best interest out of his love (1 John 4:7-11). Our obedience — without any exceptions we may propose — is essential to pleasing him (Hebrews 5:8-9). Pharaoh had every opportunity to accept God’s will and let the Israelites serve him in the wilderness. Due to his own pride, he lost his slave laborers not only for a few days but forever. As we consider what God tells us to do, we must remember: God does NOT compromise. He does not change (Malachi 3:6) — we must change (Joshua 1:7).
