Exodus 8:8  Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, “Entreat the Lord that He may take away the frogs from me and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may sacrifice to the Lord.”

Many people live their lives never really considering prayer. They know that it’s something that some people do, but not them. They have no interest and no real need for it. Until. Until a job is lost and a replacement is hard to come by. Until a loved one has died. Until a child is sick. Until the doctor says, “it’s cancer.” Then things change and they often seek out a pastor or some friend that they believe to have some connection to God. “Will you pray for me?”

It’s a reasonable request. It was Pharaoh’s request. Moses and Aaron had told him he needed to let the people go. He had declined. So they told him that the life-giving Nile, the river that so set them apart and above all the peoples of that part of the world, would now produce frogs. A lot of frogs. And the frogs came! Pharaoh’s ‘magicians’ only made the situation worse! So Pharaoh, seeing no other real options, sent for Moses and Aaron and asked (or commanded) them to pray for him.

His prayer was basically, “Lord, if you’ll do this thing for me, I’ll do a thing for you.” It’s a really common prayer. Many people are familiar with it. But, at it’s heart, it’s a negotiation. And, as in the case of Pharaoh, it’s often made in bad faith. After the frogs were gone, he saw no further need to keep his bargain.

Pharaoh’s prayer (by proxy) was, “Lord, You get rid of the frogs and I’ll let the people go.” Other versions of the prayer are, “Lord, You help me get a good job and I’ll begin to tithe.” “Lord, you help my child to get well, and I’ll take them to church.”  “Lord, You help me through this current drama and I’ll start going to church.”

Have we ever negotiated with God? Did we keep our end of the bargain? Bargaining with God really is nonsensical in a way. We have nothing that God needs and really only one thing that God wants: ourselves. Why would we ever think we could bargain with God?!

But the good news is that Jesus really came to make a bargain with us! His bargain with us is, “I’ll die for your sins so that you can live in freedom through Me!” He said, “Come unto Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” And He will keep His end of the bargain!

Blessings,

Pastor Russ