Lessons in Evangelism from Pharaoh: Faith Through Resistance
Ever felt discouraged in sharing your faith? This moving reflection bridges the gap between biblical times and today’s challenges.
Have you ever felt alone in your efforts to share your faith? Have you faced discouragement when your words seem to fall on deaf ears, especially among those you love most? Imagine trying to bring hope to others while your own world is crumbling around you. This is the reality for many Christians in Ukraine today.
Despite immense challenges, the Ukrainian church remains dynamic and steadfast. Their story mirrors the experiences of Moses in the book of Exodus—a journey filled with doubt, resistance, and ultimately, faith triumphing over adversity. As we delve into their story and the biblical account of Moses and Pharaoh, we find profound lessons on perseverance, evangelism, and the unyielding power of God.
In Europe, the church in Ukraine stands out for its remarkable resilience over the past 30 years. Despite enduring 70 years of persecution and repression under Soviet rule, believers remained steadfast. They secretly preached the Gospel through underground radio broadcasts and smuggled Bibles into the country. Baptisms were conducted in hiding, and the faithful gathered in secret to read the Scriptures. God’s work continued, even when faced with immense obstacles.
One inspiring example is the Church of Christ in the city of Sloviansk. Ivan Kolesnikov, a native of Sloviansk, was taken prisoner during World War II. Liberated by the Allied forces, he found himself in Canada, where he became our brother in Christ. In 1989, while Ukraine was still under totalitarian rule, he returned to his homeland to share the Gospel and establish a congregation.
Today, only a few Christians remain in Sloviansk. Like the believers in neighboring cities, they are reluctant to evacuate despite the ongoing war. Evacuation means becoming homeless. Cities are overcrowded, wages are driven down, and rents are exorbitant. Apartments available for rent often come fully furnished, making it impractical for those with their own belongings. Moving from dangerous areas is costly, as any vehicle could be mistaken for military transport and attacked. People wait for certain markers—signs of when to leave everything behind—entering an uncertain and difficult chapter of their lives.
Near the Christians from Sloviansk are the cities of Kramatorsk and Konstantinovka. These communities watch the situation in the town of Toretsk as a marker. As soon as Toretsk falls to the enemy army, the Christians will be forced to move to different parts of the country.
In the face of such adversity, the faith of these believers shines brightly. Their courage and steadfastness remind us of Moses and his journey—a journey filled with doubt, resistance, and ultimate triumph through God’s power.
Moses’ Doubt and Our Own
In our Bible studies, we have been delving into the story of Exodus. Ministers, many of whom are refugees themselves, often find themselves in situations similar to Moses. We might know a lot and be able to speak in various ways, but we cannot force someone to obey God if they do not want to, especially if they do not know Him.
When God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses was filled with doubt. He questioned his own abilities, feeling inadequate for the monumental task ahead.
Moses said to the LORD, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”
Exodus 4:10
Moses evaluated what he could say, and sometimes we do the same. We assess our strengths and weaknesses when speaking to our friends, relatives, or even strangers. We might think, “What can I possibly say that would make a difference?” Like Moses, we feel that we are not persuasive enough, that our words might not be sufficient to change someone’s heart.
Pharaoh’s Resistance
Moses was right to be concerned. When he first approached Pharaoh, the reaction was dismissive and defiant.
Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD and I will not let Israel go.”
Exodus 5:2
Pharaoh did not understand why he should obey a God he did not know. In a land with many gods and beliefs, the God of the Israelites was just another deity among many. Each person believed their own faith was the correct one, and Pharaoh saw no reason to submit to this unfamiliar God.
How often do we face similar reactions? When we speak to people about God—especially those who have faced immense suffering—they might respond with skepticism or even hostility. They might say, “If there is a God, why is there so much pain and injustice?” Like Pharaoh, they might harden their hearts, unwilling to consider the possibility of God’s sovereignty and love.
Discouragement and Isolation
After this first attempt, Moses saw that relationships were strained. The Israelites were angry with him because his confrontation with Pharaoh had made their lives harder. Pharaoh was irritated by Moses’ demands. Moses felt alone and discouraged.
Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Why, Lord? Why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me?”
Exodus 5:22
We can relate to Moses’ feelings of frustration and despair. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, our attempts to share the Gospel seem to make things worse. We might decide to avoid bringing up topics of obedience to God, fearing that we will only irritate our loved ones or damage our relationships. We don’t want to upset people who are already hurting.
Imagine speaking to someone who has lost everything due to war—a home destroyed, loved ones gone. They might be angry, questioning the very existence of God. Such topics can be incredibly sensitive, and we might feel unequipped to handle them.
Moses’ Continued Doubt
Moses did not have the support of other believers when his relationship with Pharaoh became strained. He felt inadequate and questioned his own abilities.
But Moses said to the LORD, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I speak with faltering lips?”
Exodus 6:12
When our previous conversations have not gone well, we might wonder what new words we can say. The fear of further rejection or conflict can be paralyzing. Moses felt this fear acutely.
But Moses said to the LORD, “Since I speak with faltering lips, why would Pharaoh listen to me?”
Exodus 6:30
Pharaoh’s Advisors and the Limits of Human Explanation
Moses’ arguments were meant to demonstrate God’s power and what He could do. However, Pharaoh relied on his own wisdom and the counsel of his advisors—wise men with prominent names who opposed the truth.
Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected.
2 Timothy 3:8
They sought to explain away God’s deeds, asserting that everything could be explained naturally. Pharaoh continued to trust these non-believers who seemed to have explanations for everything.
Instead, he turned and went into his palace, and did not take even this to heart… and Pharaoh’s heart became hard; he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said.
Exodus 7:22–23
But there are limits to what non-believers can explain. Even in matters unrelated to the hardships that led Pharaoh to confront questions about God, people reach a point where their explanations fall short.
For example, Charles Darwin, in his study of life forms, found it impossible to fully explain the complexity of life without acknowledging the idea of a Creator.
“There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed by the Creator into a few forms or into one; and that, whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved.”
—Charles Darwin, On the Origin of Species
Honest people, when they are truly sincere, recognize God. Pharaoh’s own magicians eventually admitted:
The magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart was hard and he would not listen, just as the LORD had said.
Exodus 8:19
Pharaoh’s Partial Belief
Despite his resistance, Pharaoh began to acknowledge God in some ways. He started to believe that worshiping God was normal, though he did not see the necessity for himself. He accepted that worship was appropriate for others but not essential for him.
Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Go, sacrifice to your God here in the land.”
Exodus 8:25
He believed that prayers worked and even requested them, but he did not feel the need to obey or worship God himself.
Pharaoh said, “I will let you go to offer sacrifices to the LORD your God in the wilderness, but you must not go very far. Now pray for me.”
Exodus 8:28
Many people today believe in God similarly to how Pharaoh did at this stage. They understand that others worship God and are not opposed to it. When they face hardships, they might seek God’s help and consider prayer important. But what happens when their circumstances improve?
But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said.
Exodus 8:15
There is no difference between people in Ukraine, other European countries, or the United States. Today, suffering brings many people to God. Yet, we know that when circumstances change, some may fall away.
Recognizing the Difference
Pharaoh saw the difference between those who believe and obey God and those who do not. He investigated and knew firsthand.
Pharaoh investigated and found that not even one of the animals of the Israelites had died. Yet his heart was unyielding and he would not let the people go.
Exodus 9:7
He was shown that obedience to God brings protection and care, while rebellion leads to hardship.
I will make a distinction between my people and your people. This sign will occur tomorrow.
Exodus 8:23
Rebellion Despite Knowledge
Knowing that living in obedience to God brings blessings is a frequent and powerful argument. It is rooted in truth. However, we see that Pharaoh, even with this knowledge, did not turn to God during times of distress. He knew that God could deliver him, his people, and his land from suffering, but he chose not to seek God’s help. This is the stage of faith where a person actively rebels against God.
The Hardening of Pharaoh’s Heart
This brings us to a critical point. We read that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart.
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said to Moses.
Exodus 9:12
Some people use this to make God responsible for their evangelism. Instead of raising topics of obedience to God, showing the difference between those who obey God and those who do not, and using arguments that God has confirmed Himself through many deeds, we might avoid conflict, not wanting to damage relationships or irritate people.
We often pray for God to soften someone’s heart, making God responsible for whether someone accepts Christ. But it’s important to understand that Pharaoh himself hardened his heart multiple times (Exodus 7:13, 7:22, 8:15, 8:19, 8:32, 9:7) before God intervened.
God’s decision to harden Pharaoh’s heart came after all the evidence, all the arguments, and all the miraculous signs were presented. Pharaoh knew God, knew His will, believed in the power of prayer, had witnessed God’s mighty works, and understood that only God could have done these things. Yet, Pharaoh continued to rebel.
God hardened Pharaoh’s heart by continuing to be God, and Moses continued to speak about God. When we know someone well, we often know how they will react to certain news. But we are not responsible for their emotions or choices. We simply know how they might react. So when God continues to act as God, even knowing how Pharaoh would respond, the choice still lies with Pharaoh.
This teaches us that God does not take away free will, nor does He do the work of evangelism for us. We should not make God responsible for softening someone’s heart toward Scripture. The responsibility for their decision remains with them.
Different Responses to the Same Message
The same arguments and evidence may not work on one person but can have a profound impact on others. While Pharaoh remained stubborn, others around him reacted differently.
Those officials of Pharaoh who feared the word of the LORD hurried to bring their slaves and their livestock inside.
Exodus 9:20
This shows that in evangelism, the same message may not always have the same effect on everyone. Some will respond to God’s word with humility and action, while others may reject it. This highlights the importance of continuing to share the truth, because even if it doesn’t reach one person, it may resonate deeply with someone else.
Pharaoh’s Recognition of Sin
Because God continued to be God and Moses continued to speak, Pharaoh eventually came to a realization. He recognized that he had sinned and acknowledged that he and his people were in the wrong.
Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron. “This time I have sinned,” he said to them. “The LORD is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong.”
Exodus 9:27
Pharaoh admitted his sin, showing that even the most hardened hearts can be softened through persistence and God’s unwavering presence.
Learning from Consequences
As Pharaoh continued to sin and face the consequences, he began to understand that sin leads to punishment. Each time he sinned, he encountered the consequences, and this repeated pattern led him to ask for forgiveness time and again.
Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “I have sinned against the LORD your God and against you. Now forgive my sin once more and pray to the LORD your God to take this deadly plague away from me.”
Exodus 10:16–17
This cycle demonstrates that even when a person is resistant to God, they can begin to understand that their disobedience has real consequences.
Pharaoh’s Request for Blessing
Eventually, Pharaoh learned to believe not only in God’s punishment but also in His forgiveness. He realized that blessings come from God when one aligns with His will.
During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested. Take your flocks and herds, as you have said, and go. And also bless me.”
Exodus 12:31–32
His request for a blessing showed a shift in his understanding of God’s authority—not just as a source of judgment, but also as the provider of grace and favor when His will is followed.
Conclusion
We know that God foresaw Pharaoh’s reaction and used it as a powerful example—a lesson for all of us. Evangelizing to people who do not acknowledge or believe in God can be incredibly difficult. People may become irritated, and their hearts may seem as hard as stone, but this does not negate our mission to preach the truth.
Throughout this story, we repeatedly see how difficult it was for Moses. He grew discouraged, and at times it seemed as though his message wasn’t working. There were moments when speaking about God appeared to make things worse. Yet, the persistence of Moses shows us that perseverance in the face of resistance brings results.
We should not pray for God to soften her heart; rather, we should pray for the strength, patience, and wisdom to continue speaking God’s word. It is through our perseverance and faithfulness that we can help others see the power and love of God, even when the world around them seems to be falling apart.
The story of Moses and Pharaoh teaches us valuable lessons about perseverance, faith, and the human heart. Moses faced immense challenges, doubts, and discouragement, yet he remained faithful to God’s call. Pharaoh’s journey from defiance to acknowledgment shows that even the hardest hearts can change.
We, too, face challenges when sharing our faith. We might feel inadequate, isolated, or discouraged. But we must remember that it’s not our eloquence or strength that changes hearts—it’s God’s power working through us. Our role is to be faithful messengers, trusting that God will work in the hearts of others.
So, do not lose heart. Continue to share your faith with those around you. Pray for strength and wisdom. Trust that God is working, even when you cannot see it. Your perseverance may be the beacon of hope that leads someone out of darkness..