Moses Confronts Pharaoh: Obedience Over Fear

When Moses confronts Pharaoh, it’s not a man walking in confidence—it’s a man walking in obedience. Fresh from the burning bush encounter, he carries more questions than courage, but he moves forward anyway.

That’s where this part of his story meets us too. Sometimes God asks us to go back to the very place we ran from. The one that hurt us, humbled us, or left us feeling unqualified. But obedience has never been about our strength—it’s always been about His power working through us.

moses confronts pharaoh: Returning to Egypt

Moses had already left Egypt behind. He’d built a new life, started a family, and found a quieter rhythm away from the chaos. But God wasn’t finished with his story. When the Lord told him to return, every doubt must’ve come rushing back—questions, insecurities, and memories of failure all rolled together.

He wondered if Pharaoh would listen. He feared the people might turn on him. Deep down, he questioned whether he was strong enough to face the place that once broke him.

And yet, Moses went. Staff in hand and heart still trembling, he walked straight back into the land he once fled. That’s what obedience looks like—it’s rarely fearless, but it’s always faithful.

When Obedience Doesn’t Go Smoothly

The first time Moses confronts Pharaoh, it doesn’t go well by human standards. Pharaoh laughs off the message, doubles the Israelites’ workload, and everything looks worse.
But sometimes, obedience doesn’t produce instant peace—it produces pressure that pushes us to depend on God more deeply.
When we follow His call, we’re not promised an easy path, but we are promised His presence in the middle of it.

“After this presentation to Israel’s leaders, Moses and Aaron went and spoke to Pharaoh. They told him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Let my people go.’” – Exodus 5:1 (NLT)

That simple sentence—“Let my people go”—was the spark that set deliverance in motion.

God’s Power in the Process

While Moses was learning obedience, God was revealing His power. Every plague, every miracle, every hard-hearted refusal was part of a story showing that deliverance doesn’t rest on man’s ability—it rests on God’s sovereignty.

We can trust that even when we don’t see progress, God is working behind the scenes, softening hearts, moving mountains, and preparing breakthroughs.

For Our Own “Pharaoh Moments”

We all have those moments—standing before something that feels impossible. A circumstance, a person, a fear. And God whispers, “Go.”

Obedience will always cost us comfort, but it will never cost us His presence.
He goes before us. He fights for us. He turns our trembling steps into testimonies of His faithfulness.

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.” – Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)

moses confronts pharaoh: Reflection & Prayer

Take a moment to reflect:

• Where is God asking you to obey even though it scares you?
• What “Egypt” is He calling you to walk back into with faith instead of fear?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for calling me even when I feel unqualified. Give me courage to obey when it’s uncomfortable and faith to trust You when I can’t see the outcome. Help me remember that obedience is never wasted, and fear has no power where Your presence dwells. Amen.

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More from my faith journey: Chronological Bible study

If you’re following along in the Scroll Call: Reading the Bible the Way It Happened series, catch up here:

• Moses and the Burning Bush
• Joseph’s Story: Forgotten but Not Forsaken
• Chronological Reading Plan Freebie

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