Pharaoh's Confession: The Danger of Empty Acknowledgment

Summary

Tonight’s focus centers on the confession of Pharaoh in Exodus 9:27, a moment that, while often read quickly, holds profound spiritual lessons for us all. Pharaoh, the self-proclaimed god of Egypt, surrounded by power and worship, is brought to a place where he admits, “I have sinned this time; the Lord is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.” This admission is shocking, not just for its content, but for who is saying it—a man who had built his entire identity and nation on the lie of his own divinity. Yet, even in this moment of confession, Pharaoh falls short of true repentance.

The journey through Pharaoh’s words reveals the difference between confession and transformation. Pharaoh acknowledges his sin and even the righteousness of God, but he does not submit or repent. He is willing to admit some things, but not surrender all. This is a pattern seen throughout history—empires and individuals alike who build on pride and self-deception eventually collapse, because there is always a greater power, a true God, who cannot be replaced or ignored.

This passage is a shadow of the gospel, but in reverse. Pharaoh’s confession outlines the steps toward salvation: recognizing our sin, acknowledging God’s righteousness, and then—where Pharaoh failed—turning from sin in repentance and submission. Without that final step, confession becomes empty words. The tragedy of Pharaoh is that he was so close to mercy and transformation, yet chose to cling to his pride and position rather than humble himself before God.

The lesson extends beyond Pharaoh to us today. It is possible to know the truth, to even admit our faults, and yet remain unchanged if we do not allow God to transform us. The world offers countless distractions and false identities, but only in surrender to God do we find true life. We must not settle for surface-level spirituality or mere acknowledgment of God; we are called to deep reverence, humility, and wholehearted submission.

Let us not be like Pharaoh, who was content to confess but refused to change. Instead, let us seek the substance of faith—a life built on the solid rock of Christ, marked by repentance, humility, and a desire to glorify God above all else.

Key Takeaways

- Confession Without Repentance Is Empty
Pharaoh’s admission of sin and God’s righteousness was remarkable, but it lacked the essential step of repentance. True spiritual transformation requires more than acknowledging our faults; it demands a turning away from sin and a submission to God’s authority. Without this, confession is just lip service, and the heart remains unchanged. [18:49]

- Pride Precedes Collapse—Individually and Collectively
The story of Pharaoh, like the fables of the boastful rooster and the man with the lavish coat, illustrates that pride and self-deception ultimately lead to downfall. Whether in empires or in our own lives, building on lies or appearances instead of truth and humility ensures eventual ruin. There is always a greater power, and only the humble will stand. [12:56]

- Acknowledgment of God Must Lead to Reverence and Submission
It is not enough to know about God or even to admit His righteousness. Pharaoh knew the truth but refused to glorify God as God, choosing instead to glorify himself. Knowledge without reverence leads to spiritual darkness; only when we honor God as sovereign do we experience true understanding and transformation. [40:26]

- Surface Spirituality Is a Dangerous Substitute for Genuine Faith
Pharaoh’s willingness to confess “this time” but not address the deeper pattern of sin reflects a common temptation: to deal with symptoms rather than the root. God desires more than momentary admissions; He seeks a heart that is fully surrendered, not content with partial or selective obedience. [34:06]

- Proximity to Truth Is Not the Same as Possession of It
Pharaoh stood face to face with God’s prophets, witnessed miracles, and was “so close” to grace, yet missed it by refusing to take the final step. Many can be near the things of God—hearing, seeing, even agreeing—yet never enter into true relationship because they stop short of surrender. Let us not settle for being almost persuaded. [28:43]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:33] - The Challenge of Preparation
[01:47] - Spiritual Substance Over Surface
[03:10] - Pharaoh’s Confession in Exodus 9:27
[05:07] - Fables of Pride and Appearance
[07:45] - Pharaoh’s Identity and the Egyptian Dynasty
[10:13] - The Illusion of Divinity
[12:56] - The Collapse of False Empires
[13:36] - Pharaoh’s Shocking Admission
[16:51] - The Shadow of the Gospel
[18:49] - Confession Without Repentance
[22:16] - Acknowledging God’s Righteousness
[24:08] - The Moral State of a Nation
[28:43] - So Close, Yet So Far
[32:43] - Nibbling Ourselves Lost
[34:06] - Selective Confession
[39:46] - Knowledge Without Reverence
[41:48] - Glorifying Self Over God
[45:00] - The Tragedy of Pharaoh’s Nearness
[46:54] - Living to Glorify God

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Confession of Pharaoh – Confession vs. Transformation

---

### Bible Reading

- Exodus 9:27
Then Pharaoh sent and called for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “I have sinned this time. The Lord is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.”

- Romans 1:21
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

- Matthew 7:22-23
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

---

### Observation Questions

1. What did Pharaoh actually say in Exodus 9:27, and why is it surprising coming from him?
[[13:36]]

2. According to the sermon, what steps did Pharaoh take in his confession, and which step did he leave out?
[[28:01]]

3. In Romans 1:21, what does Paul say happens when people know God but don’t glorify Him as God?
[[39:46]]

4. In Matthew 7:22-23, what is the difference between those who do things “in Jesus’ name” and those who truly know Him?
[[29:28]]

---

### Interpretation Questions

1. Why is Pharaoh’s confession considered “the gospel in reverse” according to the sermon? What does this reveal about the difference between confession and true repentance?
[[27:19]]

2. The sermon says Pharaoh was “so close” to mercy but missed it. What does it mean to be near the truth but not actually changed by it?
[[28:43]]

3. How does pride play a role in Pharaoh’s downfall, and how does the sermon connect this to the collapse of empires and individuals?
[[12:56]]

4. What does it look like to acknowledge God’s righteousness but not submit to Him? How is this different from genuine faith?
[[22:16]]

---

### Application Questions

1. The sermon warns that “confession without repentance is empty.” Have you ever found yourself admitting a fault but not actually changing? What kept you from taking the next step?
[[18:49]]

2. Pharaoh was willing to confess “this time” but not address the deeper pattern of sin. Are there areas in your life where you only deal with the surface issues instead of the root? What would it look like to go deeper?
[[34:06]]

3. The story of Pharaoh shows that pride and self-deception lead to collapse. Can you think of a time when pride kept you from admitting you were wrong or from changing? How did that turn out?
[[12:56]]

4. The sermon says, “Proximity to truth is not the same as possession of it.” Are there ways you are “close” to God—attending church, reading the Bible, knowing the right answers—but not fully surrendered? What would full surrender look like for you?
[[28:43]]

5. Pharaoh acknowledged God’s righteousness but refused to glorify Him as God. Is there an area in your life where you know what is right but struggle to honor God with your actions or choices?
[[39:46]]

6. The sermon challenges us not to settle for “surface-level spirituality.” What are some practical steps you can take this week to move from surface faith to deeper reverence and submission to God?
[[41:48]]

7. The pastor rewrote Pharaoh’s confession to say, “I am not God. I have sinned, and that alone disqualifies me from divinity. The Lord is righteous and I am not.” How does embracing this kind of humility change the way you approach God and others?
[[25:24]]

---

Closing Thought:
Let’s not be like Pharaoh, who was content to confess but refused to change. Instead, let’s seek a life marked by repentance, humility, and a desire to glorify God above all else.

Devotional

Day 1: Acknowledging Our Sinfulness Before God
Pharaoh, the self-proclaimed god of Egypt, was brought to a place where he openly admitted, “I have sinned this time; the Lord is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.” This confession is remarkable because it shows that even those who seem the most powerful and self-sufficient are confronted by the reality of their own sinfulness when faced with the true God. Yet, simply admitting sin is not enough—recognition must lead to transformation. Like Pharaoh, we may find ourselves acknowledging our faults, but the real question is whether we allow that confession to move us toward repentance and change, or if we simply return to our old ways once the pressure is off. [13:36]

Exodus 9:27 (ESV)
Then Pharaoh sent and called Moses and Aaron and said to them, “This time I have sinned; the Lord is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong.”

Reflection: Is there a sin in your life you’ve been willing to admit but not truly turn away from? What would it look like to take the next step from confession to genuine repentance today?


Day 2: The Danger of Confession Without Submission
Pharaoh’s story is a warning about the difference between admitting guilt and actually submitting to God. He confessed his sin and even acknowledged God’s righteousness, but he refused to humble himself and change his ways. This is a common trap: we can say the right words, even feel conviction, but unless we surrender our will and submit to God’s authority, nothing truly changes. God desires more than lip service—He wants a heart that is willing to be transformed. The tragedy of Pharaoh is that he was so close to mercy, yet missed it because he would not yield. [22:16]

Matthew 7:22-23 (ESV)
“On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”

Reflection: In what area of your life have you been confessing but not submitting to God’s authority? What would true surrender look like for you this week?


Day 3: The Tragedy of Willful Ignorance
There is a sobering reality in the way people can know the truth about God, yet choose to push Him out of their minds and hearts. Pharaoh, like many throughout history, had every opportunity to know and honor God but instead chose to harden his heart. The apostle Paul describes this as “willful ignorance”—not just forgetting God, but actively evicting Him from our lives. When we refuse to retain God in our knowledge, our hearts grow dark, and we fill our lives with things that cannot satisfy. The world offers plenty of distractions, but only God brings true understanding and life. [36:03]

Romans 1:28-29 (ESV)
And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips.

Reflection: Are there areas where you have been intentionally ignoring God’s voice or pushing Him out? What is one practical way you can invite God back into your thoughts and decisions today?


Day 4: The Hollow Pursuit of Self-Glorification
When we stop glorifying God, we inevitably begin to glorify something else—most often, ourselves. Pharaoh’s refusal to honor God led him to elevate his own image and power, but this self-glorification is ultimately empty and destructive. Like the story of Dorian Gray, the more we focus on preserving our own image and desires, the more our true selves become corrupted. God calls us to turn away from self-centeredness and instead love Him and others, finding our worth in His glory rather than our own. [41:48]

Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Reflection: In what ways have you been tempted to seek your own glory or put yourself first? How can you intentionally honor God and serve others today?


Day 5: The Power of Humble Reverence and Daily Worship
The difference between Pharaoh’s empty confession and a life truly transformed is humble reverence for God. When we start each day by acknowledging God’s greatness, sovereignty, and goodness, it shapes our hearts and actions. True worship is not just about asking God to bless our day, but about blessing and glorifying Him with our words, attitudes, and actions. This daily posture of humility and praise keeps us from the pitfalls of pride and draws us closer to the heart of God. [46:54]

Psalm 95:6-7 (ESV)
Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.

Reflection: How can you make it a habit to begin each day by blessing and glorifying God? What specific act of worship or gratitude can you offer Him today?

Quotes