January 21

Written by Bill Grandi on January 21st, 2025

“Man, that is one stubborn dude!” 

Have you ever used those words? Have they ever been used about you? Trust me when I say they are not a compliment. Other ways to say that don’t lessen the impact. “Stubborn as a mule.” Aaaah yeah…highly complimentary. Pig-headed. Another highly complimentary phrase.

Of course there are those who consider being stubborn a compliment. I’m not sure why, except they will rationalize it by saying, “I stick by my guns.”  “I have convictions and people know where I stand.” I beg to differ with that assessment. There is a difference between convictions based on truth and stubbornness based on personal opinion or belief.

The Bible is filled with stubborn people. Balaam is one. He is the one who had a donkey talk to him. His full story is found in Numbers 22-24. I’d say it is not a compliment when your donkey knows what is better than you do! There are also the kings who decided to do things their own way. How about Jonah who decided to forego a cruise to Ninevah for parts unknown? But I think one of the most stubborn people in the Bible is Pharaoh. My Bible reading for the Everyday Gospel Devotional has taken me from Exodus 7-12 the past two days. You may be familiar with the plagues that struck Egypt because of Pharaoh’s stubbornness: the Nile turned to blood, frogs, gnats, flies, death of livestock, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and finally the death of the firstborn. It appears the Israelites were spared these plagues, especially the last one due to the Passover Meal. With blood on the doorpost and down the side of the door, the death angel passed over the household.

Back to Pharaoh. Talk about stubborn! After each plague he would tell Moses to take the people and get out of here but then would change his mind. Even when his advisors told him to let them go (after the plague of locusts) Pharaoh would not listen. The death of his firstborn son finally broke him. At least temporarily. His final act of stupidity…I mean, stubbornness…was chasing the people of Israel into the Red Sea which had parted for them but swallowed Pharaoh and his army.

Being stubborn is not a positive trait. That is especially true when it leads to being bull-headed and taking action which is not good. Standing by/for something that is not true or good. Being stubborn is an act of selfishness. Pharaoh could have saved himself and the people he ruled a lot of heartache and headache if he had not been so stubborn and listened to his advisors. We are often no different. Verse after verse in the Bible speaks of the stubbornness of the people. Deuteronomy. Jeremiah. Isaiah. And others. And we are not exempt either.

Humility. Kindness. Mercy. Love. Grace. They all keep stubbornness in check. It’s time…

 

10 Comments so far ↓

  1. Ugh. Guilty as charged. I think pride is at the root of stubbornness. “I can do it myself,” even keeps people from trusting Jesus for their salvation!

  2. Ryan S. says:

    I have been called stubborn a time or two or more. Being stubborn as you share is not a positive trait. I especially like your last paragraph and the ways to keep stubborness in check.

  3. When I think of Pharaoh’s stubborn attitude, I see someone who simply refuses to give up his power to anyone or anything else. After all, he is the “god” of his people, so why should he listen to anyone who says otherwise? Big mistake! This is a wonderful lesson you’ve provided for us today, Bill.
    Blessings!

  4. gail says:

    I like what you said that there is a difference on convictions based on truth and stubbornness based on personal opinion or belief. The issue is to understand and admit which one you are clinging to. In Pharaoh’s story, God did not harden Pharaoh’s heart until Pharaoh himself hardened his own heart. It’s a reminder to us that God, is a God of grace, and redemption however, you do not want to get to the point where God says you have hardened your heart to a place that I will no longer help you. It is better to live a life of humility and grace, and walk with God, then end up separated from God because of your own stubbornness.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      Totally agree with you Gail. having a hardened heart doesn’t happen immediately but over time. Living a life of humility and grace and submission to God keeps that from happening.

  5. Linda Stoll says:

    whatever the Christ-centered version of stubborn is is where I want to be, who I want to be. i want to be whole-hearted for Him, faithful, and true.

    thanks, Bill, for pointing us upward and onward …

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