The Purpose of Humility

Key Lessons from the Story of Moses & Pharaoh (Exodus 1-14)

• Pharaoh’s Pride vs. God’s Plan

  • A new Pharaoh arose who did not know Joseph or respect Israel.

  • Instead of seeing Israel as a blessing, he saw them as a threat.

  • Pharaoh’s fear led to oppression, but God’s favor caused Israel to grow stronger.

• The Midwives’ Obedience to God

  • Pharaoh ordered Hebrew midwives to kill male babies.

  • They feared God and refused, leading Pharaoh to command the public killing of Hebrew baby boys (Exodus 1:22).

• Moses’ Birth & Divine Protection

  • Moses’ mother saw something special in him and hid him for three months (Exodus 2:2).

  • She placed him in a basket in the river, and Pharaoh’s daughter found him.

  • God orchestrated events so that Moses’ mother could still nurse him.

• God’s Call & Moses’ Humility

  • Moses, though raised in Pharaoh’s house, felt a pull toward his people.

  • He fled Egypt and later encountered God in the burning bush (Exodus 3:2-6).

  • God tested Moses’ humility by requiring reverence (removing his shoes on holy ground).

• Obedience Through the Process

  • Moses initially doubted his ability, but he obeyed God’s calling.

  • God sent Moses and Aaron to demand Israel’s release.

  • Pharaoh resisted, bringing about the Ten Plagues (Exodus 7-12):

  • Water to Blood

  • Frogs

  • Gnats (Lice)

  • Flies

  • Livestock Disease

  • Boils

  • Hail & Fire

  • Locusts

  • Darkness

  • Death of the Firstborn

• Pharaoh’s Pride Led to Destruction

  • His pride led to suffering for all of Egypt.

  • Ultimately, he let Israel go, but later pursued them to the Red Sea (Exodus 14:1-4).

  • God parted the sea for Israel but drowned Pharaoh’s army (Exodus 14:28-31).

Humility & Submission to God

• True humility allows God to mold us like clay in His hands.

• Jesus’ words in Matthew 21:44: "Whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder."

• Every knee will bow before God (Isaiah 45:23, Romans 14:11, Philippians 2:10-11).

  • The question is: Will we bow in willing worship or in regret?

Final Thought: The purpose of humility is to keep our focus on God, not ourselves. It is through humility that we allow God’s will to be done in our lives. Let us choose to submit willingly, rather than be humbled through resistance.