In the Plagues of Exodus, three themes emerge: (1) the hardness of Pharaoh’s heart, (2) the revelation of God’s character and presence, and (3) God’s efforts to soften Pharaoh’s heart.
In Exodus 4-14, the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart appears 20 times. R. R. Wilson says that in these passages, “the writer is referring to an organ of perception that is no longer receiving outside stimuli.”
Victor Hamilton writes this about Pharaoh’s hardening of heart: “In this dramatic evolution of Pharaoh’s reactions, there is a consistency of principle, the core of his intransigence, namely the maintenance of his sovereignty. That is the crux of the matter. That is what cannot coexist with God’s authority.
“Thus, the opposition of Pharaoh is the archetypal opposition of human power, of human authority, to the claims of God.”
Here is how Pharaoh reacted to the plagues.
Disease: The fifth plague brought a disease upon the livestock of the Egyptians, while the Israelites’ animals were spared. Despite this clear distinction, Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened.
But the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he would not let the people go (Exodus 9:7).
Boils: The sixth plague brought such severe boils upon all the Egyptians that even Pharaoh’s magicians, who had previously been able to replicate some of the plagues, could no longer stand before Moses. Nevertheless, Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened.
But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he would not listen to them, just as the Lord had spoken to Moses (Exodus 9:12).
Thunder and Hail: God informed Pharaoh that, while He could have easily destroyed him, His purpose was to reveal His character and nature.
Indeed, by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, and you would have been cut off from the earth.
But this is why I have let you live: to show you my power and to make my name resound through all the earth (Exodus 9:15-16).
God identified the root cause of Pharaoh’s hardened heart.
You are still exalting yourself against my people by not letting them go (Exodus 9:17).
This resistance is also characteristic of how people in 2025 resist God’s will. Believing that we know better than God and that our ways surpass His invariably leads us to harden our hearts and oppose His direction.
God’s mercy was seen in the reactions of some Egyptians to Moses’s message and the plagues.
Those officials of Pharaoh who feared the word of the Lord hurried their slaves and livestock off to a secure place, but those who did not regard the word of the Lord left their slaves and livestock in the open field (Exodus 9:20-21).
This mercy was highlighted later when, upon the Hebrew people’s departure from Egypt, a mixed multitude accompanied them, consisting of Egyptians who desired to leave their society and join the Hebrews.
As we examine the plagues in tomorrow’s article, we will see further how God worked to soften Pharaoh’s heart. Tragically, arrogance and pride prevailed, leading Pharaoh to experience God’s judgment instead of His salvation.
Reflections
Just as God identified Pharaoh’s resistance as self-exaltation – believing he knew better and his ways were higher – we see this same root of our hard hearts, whenever we prioritize our sovereignty over God’s.
God’s gracious character can be found in the judgment on Egypt. Though he has the power to destroy, his purpose is to reveal his nature and character towards us.
This is more than a story of history. It is a challenge for us.
Will we allow pride to harden us against God’s revealed character and presence? Or will we, like the responsive Egyptians, choose to receive God’s word and walk in the direction of His mercy?
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 