◄ Exodus 9:30 ►
But as for you and your officials, I know that you still do not fear the LORD our God."
Study Bible
But as for you and your officials
This phrase addresses Pharaoh and his court, highlighting the distinction between Moses and Aaron, who are obedient to God, and the Egyptian leadership, who remain obstinate. The Hebrew word for "officials" is "עֲבָדֶיךָ" (avadekha), which can also mean "servants." This term underscores the hierarchical structure of ancient Egypt, where Pharaoh's word was law, yet even his closest advisors were unable to sway him from his hardened heart. Historically, Egyptian officials were often seen as intermediaries between the divine Pharaoh and the people, yet here they are depicted as equally culpable in resisting God's will.

I know
The Hebrew word "יָדַעְתִּי" (yada'ti) conveys not just intellectual knowledge but an intimate understanding. This reflects God's omniscience and His ability to discern the true intentions of the heart. In the context of Exodus, it emphasizes that God is fully aware of Pharaoh's insincerity and the superficial nature of any temporary repentance. This divine insight serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and His ultimate authority over human affairs.

that you still do not fear
The phrase "do not fear" is derived from the Hebrew "יְרֵאתֶם" (y'retem), which implies a lack of reverence or awe. In the biblical context, fearing the Lord is synonymous with recognizing His power and authority, leading to obedience and worship. Pharaoh's persistent refusal to fear God highlights the spiritual blindness and pride that can afflict those in positions of power. This serves as a cautionary tale for believers to maintain a humble and reverent heart before God.

the LORD our God
The use of "the LORD" (YHWH) signifies the covenantal name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. "Our God" personalizes this relationship, indicating that the God of Israel is not a distant deity but one who is actively involved in the lives of His people. This phrase serves as a declaration of faith and identity for the Israelites, contrasting with the polytheistic beliefs of the Egyptians. It underscores the central theme of Exodus: God's deliverance of His chosen people and His supremacy over all other gods.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The prophet and leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt. In this context, Moses is delivering God's message to Pharaoh.

2. Pharaoh
The ruler of Egypt, whose heart is hardened against letting the Israelites go. He represents resistance to God's will.

3. Egypt
The land where the Israelites are enslaved. It is the setting for the plagues that God sends as signs of His power and judgment.

4. The Plagues
A series of divine judgments sent by God upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites. This verse occurs during the seventh plague, the plague of hail.

5. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal presence and faithfulness to His promises.
Teaching Points
The Importance of the Fear of the Lord
True fear of the Lord involves reverence, awe, and submission to His will. Pharaoh's lack of fear demonstrates a heart resistant to God's authority.

The Consequences of a Hardened Heart
Pharaoh's hardened heart serves as a warning of the dangers of resisting God's will. It leads to judgment and missed opportunities for repentance.

God's Sovereignty and Patience
Despite Pharaoh's resistance, God remains sovereign and patient, using the situation to reveal His power and glory. This encourages believers to trust in God's timing and purposes.

The Role of Obedience in Faith
Moses' obedience in delivering God's message contrasts with Pharaoh's disobedience. Believers are called to obey God's commands, trusting in His wisdom and authority.

The Call to Repentance
Pharaoh's account is a call to examine our own hearts for areas of resistance to God. Repentance and submission to God lead to spiritual freedom and growth.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Pharaoh's lack of fear of the Lord in Exodus 9:30 compare to the biblical understanding of the fear of the Lord in Proverbs 1:7?

2. In what ways can we identify and address areas of our lives where our hearts may be hardened against God's will, as seen in Pharaoh's example?

3. How does the account of Pharaoh and the plagues illustrate God's sovereignty and patience, and how can this understanding impact our trust in God's plans for our lives?

4. What lessons can we learn from Moses' obedience in delivering God's message, and how can we apply these lessons to our own call to obedience?

5. How does the call to repentance in Pharaoh's account challenge us to examine our own hearts and align our lives with God's purposes?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 1:7
This verse highlights the importance of fearing the Lord as the beginning of knowledge, contrasting with Pharaoh's lack of fear.

Romans 9:17
Paul references Pharaoh to illustrate God's sovereignty and purpose in hardening hearts to display His power and proclaim His name.

Hebrews 3:12-13
Warns believers against having a hardened heart, similar to Pharaoh's, and encourages mutual encouragement to remain faithful.
Sermons
The Plague of HailJ. Orr Exodus 9:13-35
The Seventh Plague - the Hail Mingled with FireD. Young Exodus 9:17-35
The Terrors of God's MightJ. Urquhart Exodus 9:22-35
I Know that Ye Will not Fear the Lord GodJ. S. Exell, M. A.Exodus 9:29-30
LessonsG. Hughes, B. D.Exodus 9:29-30
The Earth is the Lord'sJ. S. Exell, M. A.Exodus 9:29-30
Wise Ministerial Treatment of an Obstinate SinnerJ. S. Exell, M. A.Exodus 9:29-30
People
Aaron, Egyptians, Israelites, Moses, Pharaoh
Places
Egypt, Goshen
Topics
Afraid, Bondmen, Elohim, Face, Fear, Hearts, Servants, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 9:30

     8741   failure

Exodus 9:18-33

     4828   hail

Exodus 9:22-32

     4456   grain

Library
Confession of Sin --A Sermon with Seven Texts
The Hardened Sinner. PHARAOH--"I have sinned."--Exodus 9:27. I. The first case I shall bring before you is that of the HARDENED SINNER, who, when under terror, says, "I have sinned." And you will find the text in the book of Exodus, the 9th chap. and 27th verse: "And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the Lord is righteous, and I and my people are wicked." But why this confession from the lips of the haughty tyrant? He was not often wont to …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857

The God of the Old Testament is the God of the New
(Palm Sunday.) Exodus ix. 14. I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth. We are now beginning Passion Week, the week of the whole year which ought to teach us most theology; that is, most concerning God, his character and his spirit. For in this Passion Week God did that which utterly and perfectly showed forth his glory, as it never has been shown forth before or since. …
Charles Kingsley—The Gospel of the Pentateuch

The Plagues of Egypt
(Palm Sunday.) EXODUS ix. 13, 14. Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me. For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth. You will understand, I think, the meaning of the ten plagues of Egypt better, if I explain to you in a few words what kind of a country Egypt is, what kind of people the Egyptians were. Some of you, doubtless, …
Charles Kingsley—The Gospel of the Pentateuch

Sign Seekers, and the Enthusiast Reproved.
(Galilee on the Same Day as the Last Section.) ^A Matt. XII. 38-45; ^C Luke XI. 24-36. ^c 29 And when the multitudes were gathering together unto him, ^a 38 Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, Teacher, we would see a sign from thee. [Having been severely rebuked by Jesus, it is likely that the scribes and Pharisees asked for a sign that they might appear to the multitude more fair-minded and open to conviction than Jesus had represented them to be. Jesus had just wrought …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

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

The Sovereignty of God in Reprobation
"Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God" (Rom. 11:22). In the last chapter when treating of the Sovereignty of God the Father in Salvation, we examined seven passages which represent Him as making a choice from among the children of men, and predestinating certain ones to be conformed to the image of His Son. The thoughtful reader will naturally ask, And what of those who were not "ordained to eternal life?" The answer which is usually returned to this question, even by those who profess …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

Man's Misery by the Fall
Q-19: WHAT IS THE MISERY OF THAT ESTATE WHEREINTO MAN FELL? A: All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all the miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell for ever. 'And were by nature children of wrath.' Eph 2:2. Adam left an unhappy portion to his posterity, Sin and Misery. Having considered the first of these, original sin, we shall now advert to the misery of that state. In the first, we have seen mankind offending; …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Opposition to Messiah Ruinous
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel T here is a species of the sublime in writing, which seems peculiar to the Scripture, and of which, properly, no subjects but those of divine revelation are capable, With us, things inconsiderable in themselves are elevated by splendid images, which give them an apparent importance beyond what they can justly claim. Thus the poet, when describing a battle among bees, by a judicious selection of epithets …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

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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