Sin makes you stupid.
Remember when Moses told the Egyptian king that the Israelites needed to be released? The king kept refusing to obey even as plagues of frogs, flies, boils, and hailstones pounded the Egyptians. As a kid, I wondered why the pharaoh didn’t just admit defeat and let them go. The answer to that question is right in the bible.
God allows stupidity for His glory. This message is repeated many times throughout the book of Exodus.
“For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth. But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”
– Exodus 9:13
Eventually, the king obeys God (because all the firstborn children die) and releases the Israelites. Then, he changes his mind and goes after them. Think about that for a second.
The king catches up to them and a swirling pillar of fire and lightning prevents him from reaching them as the water of the Red Sea parts. The Hebrews cross through the sea on dry land. Now, ask yourself this question, after God pounds you with plagues, storms, and destruction while showing obvious favoritism for the people you’re chasing, do you follow the Hebrews across the sea?
Whether you are a king or a beggar, sin makes you stupid. Is there a plague in your life? It’s probably not a swarm of locusts or blood coming from your water tap. But be honest, is it possible that you’re suffering because you’re stubbornly refusing to obey God?
If so, I recommend that you not follow the Hebrews across the sea. You’re going to ignore me because sin makes you stupid. You’re driven by selfish pride. Arrogance is making your decisions so you’ll be drowned very soon. That’s what you deserve. God is making you miserable to get your attention and you’re too stupid to surrender.
It won’t do you any good to pretend you’re doing okay. We can all see that you’re up to your armpits in frogs. You can stop acting like you don’t know what God wants you to do. Like Pharaoh, you know EXACTLY what you’re doing wrong. You know what sin you’re committing. When you say you’re righteous, that’s the stupidity talking.
God is also glorified when his people obey. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31) You will glorify God either by your praise or your destruction.
Ten plagues. It took TEN PLAGUES before Pharaoh finally, reluctantly, fearfully, gave up fighting with God. That is a supremely stupid person. Are you any smarter than Pharaoh?
