But Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and moreover, I will not let Israel go.”

- Exodus 5:2

Picture this: You are a soldier standing at attention while the General inspects the troops. As he stops in front of you the slightest smile passes between you—for he is your husband, you are his wife. You know him as your General to whom all respect and obedience is due, but also as the one who has committed himself to love you always. Your response to him comes from the way you know him.

The Hebrew word for “know” has meanings ranging from knowing by observation and experience to knowing by direct life-giving intimate contact.

Pharaoh was going to observe and experience the Lord as He displayed His power in the days to come. Eventually he was even persuaded to “obey” the Lord. Yet his knowing would never approach direct life-giving intimate contact with God.

Moses, on the other hand, and at least some of the Hebrews, were going to observe, experience and have direct life-giving intimate contact with God. It was the latter way of knowing that led Moses to obey God, for life-giving intimate contact with Him results in endeavors infused with Life.

So it is with us. Perhaps we were raised to know God only as a commanding General, distant and unapproachable. Obedience, in that case, was a requirement fulfilled out of duty or dodged at every chance. But as we grow to know Him more, we realize He is also a Husband to us. Our obedience in this case is a delight, done out of trust, love, and devoted respect.

Click here for a prayer-song (2 ½ minutes) of longing to know the LORD. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf62n1rgSZ4