I was not, so I had to look it up. The online Webster
defines obstinate as an adjective that means perversely
adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course in spite of reason, arguments, or
persuasion. Simply put, it describes someone who is stubborn and does not
change his stand about a particular view despite any effort to convince him.
I remember being an obstinate when I was a child. Specifically, on being a believer of Santa Claus. I strongly believed in my heart, mind and soul that Santa was true. One day, a classmate told me that he discovered who the “real” Santa was. He whispered the secret to me and I replied with a scream - “No! That can’t be true!”
I did not believe my classmate. I asked my neighborhood friends and they confirmed what my classmate told me. I still did not believe them. I decided to ask my mother about it and she replied – “Yes my son, your friends were right.”
A moment of silence followed her statement. (Btw, the truth never affected my view about Christmas because that year I still hung up my socks and expected to receive my gift. :-) )
I realized later on that my parents allowed me to believe in Santa so I may learn various life lessons. One of the important lessons, that I still believe up to now, is that giving is a form of expressing love.
The pharaoh in the book of Exodus was also an obstinate. His mantra was – “I will not release the Israelites”. Nobody can go against his mantra. Not even God.
God, through Moses, told the pharaoh to set the Israelites free. He did not follow. God sent him nine devastating plagues but he continued to have them as slaves. He finally changed his mind after the 10th plague because his son died. The pharaoh let the Israelites go.
However, a couple of verses later he changed his mind again. He ordered the full force of his army to go after the Israelites.
He was an obstinate. Nobody can make him change his mind. Why was he like this?
Because God made him that way.
“So obstinate had the Lord made Pharaoh that he pursued the children of Israel even while they were marching away in triumph.” - Exodus 14:8
Maybe a more exact statement is that God allowed him to be that way.
God can easily send a ball of fire to burn the pharaoh and his army so the people of God can escape his tyranny. Or God can command the ground to open up and swallow the evil ruler. Yet, God allowed him to be obstinate. The release of the Israelites took a long time because the pharaoh was obstinate.
I believe this is where we see the wisdom of God. The delay in the release of the Israelites made them realize how much evil they had in their present state. This also made them appreciate more the redemption that God is giving them.
How does that story apply to you? Are you undergoing a personal problem right now? The problem is so big that you begin to ask God – “Why me?” or “Why does God allow this?”
God can easily grant your prayer request or solve your problem. But why is He allowing you to undergo that trial?
God is allowing the problem to happen for a reason. We may not immediately realize what the reason is but one thing is important. Trust in God’s presence. Trust in Him because He will never abandon you. God fulfilled His promise to free the Israelites and lead them to the Promise land. He will do the same with you.
Have a blessed week!
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