DIVINE JUDGMENT ON HUMAN HUBRIS
JUNE 1, 2025
TEXT: Exodus 8:1-15; 14:28
KEY VERSE: And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them. Exodus 14:28
Think back in time, dear readers, to those who made costly mistakes. Mistakes so grave they led to widespread destruction and chaos. Such was the fate of Pharaoh, who fell victim to his own hubris. What is hubris? It’s a kind of pride that makes people think they are better than others, that they are above the rules. When this pride blinds people to the consequences of their actions, it can be dangerous.
Pharaoh had the power of an entire empire behind him. Yet, his hubris led him to oppress the Israelites, God’s chosen people. The Egyptians treated the Israelites badly. They made them work very hard and did not give them rest. The Israelites cried out to God, asking Him to save them. God heard their cries, and in His mercy, He raised up a leader named Moses to confront Pharaoh and demand their release.
When Moses demanded that Pharaoh release the Israelites, Pharaoh’s arrogance refused to bend. He saw no reason to give in to the demands of God or Moses. His hubris was as strong as the pyramids he built. But God was patient and gave Pharaoh many chances to repent. God sent ten terrible plagues upon Egypt: water turned to blood, frogs, gnats, flies, disease among livestock, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and the death of the firstborn. Faced with such calamities, Pharaoh relented. He promised to let the Israelites go if God would lift the plagues. But as soon as the plagues ceased, Pharaoh hardened his heart once more, refusing to keep his word. His pride was greater than his fear of God. Even after the death of his own son in the final plague, Pharaoh’s pride remained unshaken.
God used each plague as an opportunity for Pharaoh to repent, but he refused. After the tenth and final plague, Pharaoh finally relented, allowing the Israelites to depart. But his pride yet again got the better of him as he pursued the Israelites into the desert. As they approached the Red Sea, God parted the waters to allow the Israelites to pass through. Pharaoh and his army followed, but God closed the waters, drowning Pharaoh and his soldiers. Pharaoh’s hubris led to his own destruction and that of his army.
The story of Pharaoh serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of hubris. Arrogance led Pharaoh to deny God’s power, to ignore His warnings, and ultimately to his demise. We, too, must be careful of our pride. It can blind us to our weaknesses, causing us to defy the very God who created us. In the words of the wise King Solomon, ‘Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.’ Let us learn from Pharaoh’s mistakes and seek humility and obedience to God.
SEARCHLIGHT: Human hubris can blind people to the truth and lead to devastating consequences.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me recognise the areas in my life where I may be prideful or arrogant, and teach me to rely on You rather than on my own wisdom or strength.
BIBLE READING: Job 39-41, 1 Timothy 6
PASTOR MICHAEL OMOLE
