Serving God On Pharaoh’s Terms Exodus 8-10

Compromise: The Devil’s Tool Compromise, “to settle by concession”, is not a problem if you are dealing with matters of opinion; it is a virtue. Compromising morality, truth, and what is commanded by God, is wrong. Compromise between vice and virtue is an insult to virtue. Half a truth is a whole lie. Not to obey is to disobey.

Pharaoh Suggested Compromise Background: Israel’s oppression (Ex. 1-2); God’s promise of deliverance (Ex.3-4); Moses’ request and Pharaoh’s defiant refusal (Ex.5); God’s renewed promise (Ex. 6). However, after four plagues (water turned to blood, frogs, lice, flies), Pharaoh seeks compromise (Ex. 7-8). Let’s examine the subtlety and evils of Pharaoh’s four compromises.

Pharaoh’s Compromises Compromise #1 - "Go, sacrifice to your God in the land" (Exodus 8:25). “Any place for worship is all right.” Why this compromise? Pharaoh could have a group of slaves that were happy serving their [g]od.

Pharaoh’s Compromises It would be an abomination to God (8:26; putting God on the same plain with idols; common ground; no difference between them). It would cause the Egyptians to get mad (8:26). It would violate the original plan and command of God to leave Egypt three days into the wilderness (8:27; see 3:18; 5:3).

Pharaoh’s Compromises We are tempted to serve God while remaining “in the land” – the compromise of remaining in the world. The Devil says, “OK, if you insist on serving God, just stay in the world and do it.” “Go to church or get in church on Sunday, but live like the world the rest of the week.” “Stay in the church of your choice.” “Or, better yet, do not be religious at all.”

Pharaoh’s Compromises The world and the church are incompatible (2 Cor.6:14-7:1; 1 Jn.2:15). Moses refused this compromise, and so should we!

Pharaoh’s Compromises Compromise # 2 - "I will let you go … only you shall not go very far away" (Ex. 8:28). “A little religion won’t hurt.” Why this compromise? Pharaoh could still keep an eye on the Israelites. He could keep his influence and control on them. Again, this would never work. It was short of complete obedience. We are tempted to serve God “not very far away” from the world - the compromise of lukewarmness.

Pharaoh’s Compromises The Devil says, “OK, if you must become a Christian, just do not give up all worldliness. Keep one foot in the church and one foot in the world. Be neighborly.” Some Christians are so close to the world – “straddling the fence” – they find it easy to fall back in (Ac.8:14ff; Heb.6:4ff; Jas. 4:4; 2 Pet.2:18,20-21).

Pharaoh’s Compromises Some Christians, like Israel, do not grow away from the world (cf. Ex.14:11-12; 16:3; 17:3; Num.11:4ff; 14:2-3; Ac.7:39). Moses refused this compromise, and so should we!

Pharaoh’s Compromises Compromise # 3 - “Go now, you who are men, and serve the LORD” (Ex.10:7-11). “Religion is not for everyone.” Why this compromise? Pharaoh wanted the Israelite offspring to stay. If the men left, he would still have young slaves. Or, he knew the men would return for their families. Again, this would never work. All were to leave Egypt (10:9)!

Pharaoh’s Compromises Many adults serve God, but not the youth - the compromise of undedicated families. God wants the whole family! The Devil says, “Religion is just for old folks.” This is why many young people miss the assembly (Heb.10:25); many are not raised properly (Eph.6:4); many have physical needs met, but not spiritual. Moses refused this compromise, and so should we!

Pharaoh’s Compromises Compromise # 4 - "Go, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be kept back. Let your little ones also go with you" (Ex.10:24). “God wants your mind, not your materials.” Why this compromise? Pharaoh would lose his slaves, but he would make a profit on their material possessions. Or, he knew they would return to get their possessions eventually.

Pharaoh’s Compromises Again, this would never work. Moses recognized the need, in part, for material possessions to serve the Lord - sacrifices, etc. (10:25-26). We are tempted to serve the Lord with our mind, while serving the Devil with our possessions - the compromise of unconsecrated livelihoods.

Pharaoh’s Compromises The Devil says, “Let me have your money and material possessions.” But what about the Sunday contribution? What about using your material possessions to serve others (Ac.2,4,6; 2 Cor. 8:1-5). Moses refused this compromise, and so should we!

Serving God On Pharaoh’s Terms Where are you? In bondage? On the borderline? Full and complete separation is what God desires. Don’t ever compromise with the Devil! He wins every time! Pharaoh’s compromises are compromises that keep us in captivity! Are you compromising? Partial obedience is not obedience at all.