Pharaoh
Category: Failure of submission & humility
Could endure: Humble himself under God’s power and let Israel go.
“This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let my people go…’” (Exodus 5:1)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 9:16; Romans 9:17.
Chose wrongly: Hardened his heart repeatedly.
“Pharaoh’s heart became hard; he would not listen.” (Exodus 7:13)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 8:32; Hebrews 3:13.
Endured (negatively): Plagues, loss of his firstborn, destruction of his army.
“That night the LORD struck down all the firstborn in Egypt.” (Exodus 12:29)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 14:27–28; Psalm 136:15.
Why (wrong motive): Pride and self-exaltation.
“Who is the LORD, that I should obey him and let Israel go?” (Exodus 5:2)
Cross-Refs: Daniel 5:20; James 4:6.
Result: Utter ruin, remembered as a warning.
“To this day they have not recovered from it.” (Exodus 10:7)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 136:10–15; Romans 9:17.
Israel at the Golden Calf
Category: Failure of loyalty & worship
Could endure: Wait for Moses and trust the LORD.
“Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights.” (Exodus 24:18)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 19:8; Psalm 106:13.
Chose wrongly: Made and worshiped a golden calf.
“They have been quick to turn away… They have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf.” (Exodus 32:8)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 9:12; Acts 7:39–41.
Endured (negatively): God’s anger, plague, many killed.
“And the LORD struck the people with a plague because of what they did with the calf Aaron had made.” (Exodus 32:35)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 106:19–20; 1 Corinthians 10:7.
Why (wrong motive): Impatience, fear, desire for visible gods.
“Come, make us gods who will go before us.” (Exodus 32:1)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 40:18–20; Hosea 8:5–6.
Result: Loss of many lives, intercession required for survival.
“Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, ‘Who is on the LORD’s side? Come to me.’ And all the sons of Levi gathered to him.” (Exodus 32:26)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 9:18–20; Psalm 106:23.
Nadab & Abihu
Category: Failure of reverence & obedience
Could endure: Worship as God commanded.
“Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu… were to minister as priests.” (Exodus 28:1)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 19:22; Leviticus 8:36.
Chose wrongly: Offered unauthorized fire before the LORD.
“So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them.” (Leviticus 10:2, recalling Exodus appointment)
Cross-Refs: Numbers 3:4; Numbers 26:61.
Endured (negatively): Immediate death before the LORD.
“And Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD.” (Numbers 3:4)
Cross-Refs: Leviticus 10:2; 1 Samuel 2:34.
Why (wrong motive): Presumption, irreverence.
“…they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to his command.” (Leviticus 10:1)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 4:2; 1 Samuel 15:22.
Result: Removed from priesthood line, warning for all.
“Among those who approach me I will be proved holy.” (Leviticus 10:3)
Cross-Refs: Hebrews 12:28–29; Acts 5:1–11.