What lessons can we learn from Pharaoh's response to God's commands in Exodus 9? The Story in a Sentence “So Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he did not let the Israelites go, just as the LORD had spoken through Moses.” (Exodus 9:35) What We See Happening • Six plagues in, Pharaoh has witnessed God’s power, confessed his sin (9:27), asked for prayer (9:28), and received relief—yet still refuses to yield. • His hardened heart shows us more than stubborn leadership; it gives a living picture of how people respond when they resist clear commands from God. Lesson 1 – Hardness Is Usually a Process, Not a Moment • Earlier verses alternate between “Pharaoh hardened his heart” (Exodus 8:15, 32) and “the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart” (Exodus 9:12). • The pattern: Pharaoh resists → God confirms that resistance → Pharaoh becomes increasingly incapable of repentance. • Cross-check: Proverbs 28:14, Hebrews 3:7-8. “Do not harden your hearts,” the writer pleads—because each “no” makes the next “no” easier. Lesson 2 – God Keeps Every Word He Speaks • Verse 35 ends with “just as the LORD had spoken.” Nothing surprises Him. • Exodus 4:21 already predicted this hardening; every plague fulfills earlier warnings. • Isaiah 55:10-11 reminds us His word never returns void. We can bank on every promise—including judgment on rebellion and mercy for obedience. Lesson 3 – Pride Blinds Us to the Obvious • Pharaoh’s empire is crumbling—livestock dead, crops destroyed, people suffering—yet he clings to his throne. • James 4:6: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Pharaoh lives the first half of that verse; Moses experiences the second. • Humility opens our eyes; pride shuts them tight. Lesson 4 – Temporary Compliance Is Not Genuine Repentance • Pharaoh says, “I have sinned this time” (Exodus 9:27), but his sorrow lasts only until the hail stops. • 2 Corinthians 7:10 distinguishes “godly sorrow” that leads to repentance from “worldly sorrow” that leaves us unchanged. • Real repentance changes direction, not just deflects disaster. Lesson 5 – Personal Stubbornness Hurts Everyone Around Us • Plagues fall on Egypt because Pharaoh won’t obey. Families, economy, environment—everything suffers. • Romans 14:7 reminds us no one lives to himself alone. Our choices ripple outward, for good or ill. Lesson 6 – Delayed Obedience Deepens Disaster • Every “maybe tomorrow” from Pharaoh means a new, harsher plague. • Psalm 95:7-8 urges, “Today, if you hear His voice…” because tomorrow’s heart may be less responsive than today’s. Putting It Into Practice • Ask God to reveal early signs of hardness—indifference, rationalization, delayed obedience. • Submit quickly; obedience at the first prompting keeps the heart soft. • Trust Scripture’s warnings and promises equally—both are sure. • Walk humbly; pride and hardness grow in the same soil. • Remember that obedience blesses others just as disobedience harms them. Key Passages to Read Alongside Exodus 9 • Exodus 7–10 – The full hardening narrative • Proverbs 28:14 – Warning against a hardened heart • Hebrews 3:7-15 – “Today, if you hear His voice” • James 4:6-10 – God resists the proud, gives grace to the humble • 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 – True vs. false repentance |
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