Ex. 3:19; 4:21-23; 5:1-9, Heart-Hardening (2)

As we approach this subject of the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart we do want to remember what God said first about the subject.  But I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not even by a mighty hand.  If you are wondering, I am sure does not register some small uncertainty on God’s part; it is the general Hebrew term for know (yada); God knows Pharaoh will not let the people go.  You can say He knows because He intends to harden Pharaoh’s heart.  Or you can say He knows because He knows everyone’s heart.  Both would be true statements about God.

The next statement about this matter (4:21-23) is God’s promise: I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.  As we noted yesterday we are not denying God’s involvement in this.  What we want to show is how God did this in such a way so that Pharaoh was making his own choice at the same time God was doing His will.

I think it is also valuable to note that God explains His own will by what He tells Moses to tell Pharaoh.  Moses is to say, Thus says the LORD.  In other words, Pharaoh needs to know that this is an issue that has to do with the God of Israel.  Then he is to say, Israel is My son, My firstborn.  This certainly sets the stage for the climactic last of the ten plagues.  Pharaoh was “god” in Egypt and so was his firstborn, the one who would reign after him.  Moses’ father-in-law would say later that through the plagues the LORD God of Israel had shown Himself greater than all the gods of Egypt for in the very thing in which they behaved proudly, He was above them (Ex. 18:11).  As has often been noted, each plague was an attack on a god of Egypt.

In this passage you also see the warning of God to Pharaoh.  If you refuse to let him go, indeed I will kill your son, your firstborn.  Neither Pharaoh nor us, thousands of years later, have the freedom to blame God for Pharaoh’s demise.  The king had fair warning and would know, in the end, that he lost a battle that he had pursued.

When we come to the first exchange between Moses and Pharaoh (5:1-9) there are some things that are evident in the identity of Pharaoh.

·        5:1-2: Pharaoh understood the challenge.  The king was “god” in Egypt.  Moses spoke for the God of the Israelites.  The religion of Egypt was at stake and Pharaoh was the one to take up the battle.

·        5:3-9: Pharaoh was the dictator.  When Moses and Aaron in essence pled for mercy (lest He fall upon us with pestilence or with a sword) Pharaoh did what kings do.  He made a judgment, increasing the burden on his slaves.

·        It will be evident throughout the plagues that Pharaoh and his servants enjoyed what they got from the slaves.  They are greedy.  Egypt is prospering by having these people in bondage and no one wants to lose their material advantages.

All we are saying is that Pharaoh’s response was to be expected, given who he is and his situation.  In other words, what else do we expect from a fundamentally proud man when his power and position are challenged?