Our son is graduating from college. We were talking on the phone the other day and he told me he didn’t want a graduation present. Instead he wanted a page of advice. Well – okay, son, here you go.

Jed, don’t ever live your life in such a way that someone can hold you up as a bad example – like Pharaoh. You’ll remember that Moses and Aaron came to Pharaoh and said on the Lord’s behalf, “…Let my people go...” (1) – to which Pharaoh responded, “…Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go?…” (3) And then he then punished Israel severely. Well, when Moses brought the matter back to the Lord, Jehovah responded by saying, “…Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh…” (3)

First piece of advice: Never stand in the Lord’s way. If you ever find yourself opposing a good thing, sit down and be quiet! Pharaoh didn’t, and the Nile was turned to blood.

Pharaoh was invited again to let the people go, and again he refused, and this time frogs overran Egypt. Now I’m not sure if it was desperation or just disgust, but Pharaoh summoned Moses and asked that the frogs be removed. “…I will let thy people go…,” (4) he said. Moses removed the frogs but Pharaoh reneged on his promise.

Second piece of advice: When you tell the Lord you’ll do something, then do it! Stand by your covenants ever and always.

Next came a plague of flies. Pharaoh called for Moses and told them, “Okay, you can go, but don’t leave the land of Egypt. No – I’m sorry, it doesn’t work that way.

Next piece of advice: Don’t try to cut deals with the Lord. Obedience is on His terms, not yours.

Pharaoh was then warned that a terrible pestilence would come if he did not yield. “As yet,” the Lord said, “exaltest thou thyself against my people...” (5)

Son, pride is a killer. Just remember this: When you consider where you stand before the Lord, you don’t, you kneel – always!

Hail and fire fell from heaven decimating Egypt, “and Pharaoh sent and called for Moses and Aaron. “…I have sinned,” he said, “the Lord is righteous…I and my people are wicked…” (6) Now, if Pharaoh had stayed true to that conviction, so many lives would have been spared. But he didn’t.

Jed, be true. It’s all the way with the Lord, or not at all.

Moses warned Pharaoh that locusts would come to finish what the hail left if he didn’t let them go. Pharaoh’s servants even said unto him, “…How long shall this man be a snare unto us? let the men go…” (7) And Pharaoh refused to listen – and the locusts came as they had never come before.

My son, listen carefully to those around you – there is wisdom there – and most especially to your wife.

Pharaoh was warned again – let the people go, and this time rather than humble himself, he made a bigger mistake: He gave vent to his anger against Moses, “…Get thee from me,” he ordered, “…see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die.” (8)

If you ever find yourself angry with the Lord or His servants, oh be careful! You are on such dangerous ground indeed! It cost Pharaoh his firstborn son, and it will cost you as well.

Finally, Pharaoh cast Israel out of Egypt and they went out with power and riches. While they made their way to the Red Sea, hate and vengeance welled up in Pharaoh’s heart. He went after Israel, and destroyed himself and virtually Egypt as well.

Last piece of advice: Hate and contention are never of God and they will destroy you too.

So, Jed, when all is said and done, it comes down to this: The difference between Moses and Pharaoh in history is that one man gave the Lord his heart, and the other hardened it and stubbornly refused.

I love you, son.