The story of Moses and Pharaoh can be read in light of the struggle between righteousness and stubbornness.
During the plague of hail, Pharaoh admits his wrongdoing and acknowledges that God is righteous, while he and his people are in the wrong.
Then Pharaoh summoned 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” (Exodus 9:27).
Pharaoh asks Moses to pray to the Lord and promises to let the Israelites go, releasing them from their captivity.
“Pray to the Lord! Enough of God’s thunder and hail! I will let you go; you need stay no longer”(Exodus 9:28).
Pharaoh’s admission of guilt highlights the potential for change and redemption even in the most hardened hearts.
One of my greatest joys is to see God turn his enemies into friends. I have witnessed what Ezekiel said about the human heart on many occasions.
God said, “I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 11.19).
Unconvinced by God’s Signs
I have rejoiced over the transformation of hardened sinners, but I have grieved over people who claimed to repent but didn’t.
Moses was aware of Pharaoh’s insincerity and lack of respect for the Lord. Nevertheless, he predicted that the thunder and hail would cease.
Moses said to him, “As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will stretch out my hands to the Lord; the thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, so that you may know that the earth is the Lord’s.
“But as for you and your officials, I know that you do not yet fear the Lord God” (Exodus 9:29-30).
Pharaoh would have been well served if he followed the insights from the Book of Proverbs.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1.7).
The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate (Proverbs 8.3).
Genuine repentance reflects a heart that is in awe of God and his majesty. Pride, arrogance, and an unwillingness to accept correction reflect a stubborn heart.
Moses trusted God to intervene.
So Moses left Pharaoh, went out of the city, and stretched out his hands to the Lord; then the thunder and the hail ceased, and the rain no longer poured down on the earth(Exodus 9:33).
Not only did this bring relief but it also served as a reminder that the earth and everything in it belong to the Lord (verse 29).
A Hardened Heart and the Consequences
Despite witnessing the mighty power of God and experiencing temporary relief from the plagues, Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened.
But when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunder had ceased, he sinned once more and hardened his heart, he and his officials.
So the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he would not let the Israelites go, just as the Lord had spoken through Moses (Exodus 9:34-35).
Pharaoh’s hardened heart exemplifies the dangerous trap of pride, ego, and stubbornness that often blinds us to God’s purpose for our lives.
His unwillingness to yield to God’s command brought about grave consequences, not only for himself but also for his people. Imagine the misery that is the experience of millions of people today, because their leaders refuse God’s guidance.
Lessons for Today
The story of Pharaoh’s hardened heart and the plagues serves as a lesson for us today.
It reminds us of the importance of humility, repentance, and recognizing God’s power and authority.
It teaches us that genuine repentance, reflected by transformation and a commitment to God’s will, is essential.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 