Topical Bible: Anger: Moses, Toward Pharaoh

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In the biblical narrative, Moses' encounters with Pharaoh are marked by a series of confrontations that reveal the intensity of Moses' anger towards the Egyptian ruler. This anger is not merely personal but is deeply rooted in the divine mission entrusted to Moses by God. The account of Moses' anger towards Pharaoh is primarily found in the Book of Exodus, where Moses is called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage.

Divine Commission and Initial Encounters

Moses' mission begins with a divine encounter at the burning bush, where God commands him to go to Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites (Exodus 3:10). Despite initial reluctance, Moses accepts the task, armed with the assurance of God's presence and power. The first encounter with Pharaoh is recorded in Exodus 5:1-2 : "Afterward, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, 'This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: "Let My people go, so that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness."' But Pharaoh replied, 'Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go.'"

Pharaoh's dismissive response and increased oppression of the Israelites provoke Moses' anger, not only towards Pharaoh but also in his questioning of God's plan (Exodus 5:22-23). This initial frustration sets the stage for the subsequent plagues and confrontations.

The Plagues and Escalating Tensions

As the narrative progresses, God sends a series of plagues upon Egypt, each one demonstrating His power and authority over creation. Moses, as God's chosen instrument, repeatedly confronts Pharaoh, demanding the release of the Israelites. With each refusal, Moses' anger is kindled, reflecting both his righteous indignation and the divine wrath against Pharaoh's hardened heart.

The plagues serve as a backdrop for Moses' growing frustration with Pharaoh's obstinacy. In Exodus 11:8 , after announcing the final plague, Moses leaves Pharaoh's presence "in hot anger." This moment captures the culmination of Moses' righteous anger, as he is both a prophet of God's judgment and an advocate for his oppressed people.

Righteous Anger and Divine Justice

Moses' anger towards Pharaoh is not merely a human emotion but is aligned with God's righteous indignation against sin and injustice. Throughout the narrative, Moses acts as a mediator between God and Pharaoh, embodying the divine demand for justice and liberation. His anger is a reflection of God's own response to Pharaoh's defiance and the suffering of the Israelites.

The account of Moses' anger towards Pharaoh highlights the tension between divine patience and judgment. While God is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, He is also just and will not leave the guilty unpunished (Exodus 34:6-7). Moses' anger, therefore, is an expression of the divine character, serving as a catalyst for the eventual deliverance of the Israelites.

Conclusion

Moses' anger towards Pharaoh is a significant aspect of the Exodus narrative, illustrating the complex interplay between human emotion and divine purpose. It underscores the seriousness of Pharaoh's rebellion against God and the urgency of the Israelites' liberation. Through Moses, God's righteous anger is made manifest, leading to the ultimate triumph of His will and the fulfillment of His promises to His people.

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Exodus 11:8
And all these your servants shall come down to me, and bow down themselves to me, saying, Get you out, and all the people that follow you: and after that I will go out. And he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger.
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Numbers 20:10,11
And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said to them, Hear now, you rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?
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Library

The Rod that Troubled Egypt.
... drove Moses and Aaron from him in anger, saying: ... to join the great procession, led
by Moses and Aaron ... in Goshen, and started on its long journey toward the east ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xi the rod that.htm

The Cost of Being Cruel and Stubborn
... it may be felt." So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven; and ... follow you.'
After that I will go away." And Moses went from Pharaoh in great anger. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the cost of being cruel.htm

Moses the Type of Christ.
... and Moses made haste and bowed his head toward the earth ... Moses was the meekest of
men, yet it was for one ... is meritorious, who has removed from us God's anger. ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon ix moses the type.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Reprobation
... Heaven join in singing the Song of Moses, in which ... He exercises mercy toward some
and hardens others, without ... of God appear in the dreadfulness of His anger! ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter five the sovereignty of.htm

That we Ought to Give Ourselves to God with Regard to Things Both ...
... alone that I may destroy theme"But Moses prayed, and ... For I was afraid of the anger
and hot displeasure ... and not live." Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter ii that we ought.htm

Expatriation
... but he had measured rods with Moses and had ... in turn, on his face,"amazement, anger,
censure, irresolution ... He turned away and walked swiftly toward the portals ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xlii expatriation.htm

The First Book
... that whatever penalties individuals have to bear should work toward the correction ...
ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?" And the anger of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the first book.htm

Exposition of Chap. Iii. (ii. 28-32. )
... Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward the heaven ... my work on Egypt and
the Books of Moses, p.106 ... phenomena announce that the fire of the anger of God ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/exposition of chap iii ii.htm

The Promised Land
... news of the disaster reached Tanis Meneptah's anger and grief ... down the broad bosom
of the Nile toward the sea ... But Moses loved him and found joy in his company. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xlvii the promised land.htm

Exploring Canaan by Faith
... It was when Moses had sent twelve spies, of whom I ... Joshua gave me permission, and
I marched toward it fully confident ... Can you find the cubic contents of anger? ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter five exploring canaan by.htm