Exodus 10:3
So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and told him, "This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: 'How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, so that they may worship Me.
So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and told him,

Moses and Aaron again stood before Egypt’s ruler as servants of the living God. Their repeated appearances gave Pharaoh clear warning and repeated opportunity to yield before judgment fell. In a culture that regarded Pharaoh as divinely empowered, their message exposed the impotence of Egypt’s throne before the Creator.

Exo 5:1 After that, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said…
Exo 7:10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did…
Exo 7:15 Go to Pharaoh in the morning as you see him walking out.…

“This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says:

The LORD identified Himself by His covenant name and by His relationship with the people He had chosen. Israel’s God was not one deity among Egypt’s many gods; He was the Lord over Pharaoh, Egypt, Israel, and all creation. The coming plague would further reveal that the God of the Hebrews alone commands the natural world.

Exo 9:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and tell him…”…
Exo 7:16 Then say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews,…
Exo 3:18 The elders of Israel will listen to what you say,…

‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me?

Pharaoh’s resistance was not merely political but spiritual rebellion against God’s authority. He had witnessed devastating judgments, yet continued to exalt himself rather than repent. God’s demand for humility calls every ruler and every person to acknowledge that all authority is accountable to Him.

1Ki 21:29 Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before Me?…
2Ch 33:12 And in his distress, Manasseh sought the favor of the LORD…
Lev 26:41 and I acted with hostility toward them and brought them…

Let My people go,

Israel belonged to the LORD by covenant, not to Pharaoh as a source of forced labor. God’s command rested on His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and His purpose to redeem their descendants from slavery. The deliverance from Egypt also points forward to Christ’s greater redemption, by which He frees His people from bondage to sin.

Exo 8:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh…
Exo 9:13 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Get up early in the morning…
Lev 25:55 For the Israelites are My servants. They are My servants…

so that they may worship Me.

God redeemed Israel not simply to remove them from oppression, but to bring them into devoted service before Him. At Sinai, the nation would be gathered to receive His covenant and worship Him as a holy people. True freedom is found in belonging to God and living for His glory.

Jhn 4:23 But a time is coming and has now come…
Exo 4:23 and I told you to let My son go so that he may worship Me.…
Exo 3:12 “I will surely be with you,” God said, “and this will be…”…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
A prophet and leader chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. He is a central figure in the Exodus account.

2. Aaron
Moses' brother and spokesperson. He assists Moses in confronting Pharaoh and performing signs.

3. Pharaoh
The ruler of Egypt who stubbornly refuses to release the Israelites, despite the plagues sent by God.

4. The LORD (Yahweh)
The God of the Hebrews, who demands the release of His people so they can worship Him.

5. Egypt
The land where the Israelites are enslaved and from which God is delivering them through Moses and Aaron.
Teaching Points
The Call to Humility
God demands humility from all, including the powerful. Pharaoh's refusal to humble himself before God serves as a warning against pride.

The Sovereignty of God
God's command to Pharaoh underscores His ultimate authority over nations and rulers. Believers are reminded of God's control over all circumstances.

The Purpose of Worship
The demand to let the Israelites go is so they may worship God. Worship is central to the life of God's people and should be prioritized.

The Consequences of Disobedience
Pharaoh's repeated refusals lead to severe consequences for Egypt. Disobedience to God can lead to personal and communal suffering.

God's Patience and Justice
Despite Pharaoh's stubbornness, God gives multiple opportunities for repentance, showing His patience. However, justice is ultimately served.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Pharaoh's refusal to humble himself before God reflect attitudes we might encounter in today's world?

2. In what ways can we ensure that we are humbling ourselves before God in our daily lives?

3. How does the account of Pharaoh and the plagues illustrate the balance between God's patience and His justice?

4. What are some modern-day "plagues" or challenges that might be calling us to reevaluate our priorities and obedience to God?

5. How can we apply the principle of prioritizing worship in our lives, as seen in God's command to let His people go to worship Him?
Connections to Other Scriptures
James 4:6
This verse speaks about God opposing the proud but giving grace to the humble, which connects to Pharaoh's refusal to humble himself before God.

1 Peter 5:6
Encourages believers to humble themselves under God's mighty hand, which parallels the call for Pharaoh to humble himself.

Proverbs 16:18
Discusses pride leading to destruction, reflecting Pharaoh's eventual downfall due to his pride.
A New MessageJ. Orr Exodus 10:1-7
God's Judgments on Sin and Their Results for the Righteous and the WickedJ. Urquhart Exodus 10:1-11
The Eighth Plague: the LocustsD. Young Exodus 10:1-19
Good Men Should Leave Sinners UJ. S. Exell, M. A.Exodus 10:3-6
Humiliation Before GodG. Brooks.Exodus 10:3-6
If Thou RefuseJ. S. Exell, M. A.Exodus 10:3-6
Locust-Scaring GodsT. S. Millington.Exodus 10:3-6
The Delay of Soul HumilityJ. S. Exell, M. A.Exodus 10:3-6
The LocustsJ. S. Exell, M. A.Exodus 10:3-6
The Plague of Locusts ThreatenedJ. S. Exell, M. A.Exodus 10:3-6
To-MorrowJ. S. Exell, M. A.Exodus 10:3-6
People
Aaron, Egyptians, Israelites, Moses, Pharaoh
Places
Egypt, Red Sea
Topics
Aaron, Hast, Hebrews, Humble, Humbled, Lifted, Pharaoh, Presence, Pride, Refuse, Refused, Says, Serve, Thus, Thyself, Wilt, Worship
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 10:3

     8276   humility

Exodus 10:3-6

     8833   threats

Library
Full Redemption
Now, it seems to me, that this grand quarrel of old is but a picture of God's continual contest with the powers of darkness. The mandate has gone forth to earth and hell: "Thus saith the Lord, let my people go that they may serve me." "No," saith Satan, "they shall not." And if he be compelled to yield one point, he still retains his hold upon another. If he must give way, it shall be inch by inch. Evil is hard in dying; it will not readily be overcome. But this is the demand of God, and to he last
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 6: 1860

A Poor Man's Cry, and what came of It
On this occasion I want to speak of what happens to those who do return to God; because many have newly been brought, through mighty grace. Some of them I have seen; and I have rejoiced over them with exceeding great joy. They tell me that they did distinctly lay hold on eternal life last Sabbath day; and they are clear about what it means. They came out of darkness into his marvellous light; they knew it, and could not resist the impulse at once to tell those with whom they sat in the pews, that
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

The Hardening in the Sacred Scripture.
"He hath hardened their heart."-- John xii. 40. The Scripture teaches positively that the hardening and "darkening of their foolish heart" is a divine, intentional act. This is plainly evident from God's charge to Moses concerning the king of Egypt: "Thou shalt speak all that I command thee; and I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh shall not harken unto you, and I will lay My hand upon Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Exposition of Chap. Iii. (ii. 28-32. )
Ver. 1. "And it shall come to pass, afterwards, I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions." The communication of the Spirit of God was the constant prerogative of the Covenant-people. Indeed, the very idea of such a people necessarily requires it. For the Spirit of God is the only inward bond betwixt Him and that which is created; a Covenant-people, therefore, without such an inward
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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