Topical Bible: Anger: Pharaoh, Toward Moses

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In the biblical narrative, the relationship between Pharaoh and Moses is marked by a series of confrontations that highlight Pharaoh's anger and resistance to God's commands. This tension is most prominently displayed in the Book of Exodus, where Moses, under God's direction, demands the release of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage.

Context and Background

The account unfolds in Exodus, where Moses is chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, is depicted as a powerful and obstinate leader whose heart is hardened against the pleas of Moses and the will of God. This hardening of Pharaoh's heart is a recurring theme, illustrating both divine sovereignty and human obstinacy.

Pharaoh's Anger in the Plagues

Pharaoh's anger is particularly evident during the series of plagues that God inflicts upon Egypt as a demonstration of His power and as a judgment against Pharaoh's refusal to release the Israelites. Each plague intensifies the conflict between Pharaoh and Moses, with Pharaoh's anger often leading to further hardening of his heart.

1. Initial Encounters: When Moses first approaches Pharaoh with God's command, "Let My people go" (Exodus 5:1), Pharaoh responds with disdain and increases the Israelites' burdens, demonstrating his anger and contempt for both Moses and the God of Israel.

2. The Plagues: As the plagues progress, Pharaoh's anger becomes more pronounced. After the plague of frogs, Pharaoh initially relents but soon hardens his heart again (Exodus 8:15). This pattern continues through subsequent plagues, with Pharaoh's anger often leading to rash promises and subsequent retractions.

3. The Plague of Hail: During the seventh plague, the plague of hail, Pharaoh's anger reaches a critical point. Despite acknowledging his sin and the righteousness of the Lord (Exodus 9:27), Pharaoh's heart remains hardened, and his anger towards Moses and Aaron persists.

4. The Plague of Locusts: Pharaoh's officials plead with him to relent, but his anger and pride prevent him from heeding their advice. Even after the devastating plague of locusts, Pharaoh's anger leads him to drive Moses and Aaron out of his presence (Exodus 10:28).

Pharaoh's Final Confrontation with Moses

The culmination of Pharaoh's anger is seen in the final plague, the death of the firstborn. After this devastating event, Pharaoh's anger turns to desperation, and he finally allows the Israelites to leave Egypt (Exodus 12:31-32). However, his anger and pride soon resurface, leading him to pursue the Israelites, resulting in the destruction of his army in the Red Sea (Exodus 14:28).

Theological Implications

Pharaoh's anger towards Moses is emblematic of the broader spiritual conflict between human pride and divine authority. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of hardening one's heart against God's will. Pharaoh's anger, while directed at Moses, ultimately reflects his rebellion against God, illustrating the futility of resisting divine purposes.

Throughout the narrative, Moses remains steadfast, serving as a mediator between God and Pharaoh, and demonstrating the power of faith and obedience in the face of human anger and opposition.

Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 10:11,28
Not so: go now you that are men, and serve the LORD; for that you did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Rod that Troubled Egypt.
... drove Moses and Aaron from him in anger, saying: ... Then Pharaoh was quite ready to
let the Israelites go ... 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
... dark that it may be felt." So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven; and ... 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.
... Pharaoh with his horsemen hurried on to reclaim his runaway ... made haste and bowed
his head toward the earth ... is meritorious, who has removed from us God's anger. ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon ix moses the type.htm

That we Ought to Give Ourselves to God with Regard to Things Both ...
... Pharaoh was a firm believer in the possibilities of prayer ... For I was afraid of the
anger and hot displeasure ... not live." Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter ii that we ought.htm

Expatriation
... in turn, on his face,"amazement, anger, censure, irresolution ... warning and thou, thyself,
hast undone the Pharaoh.". ... away and walked swiftly toward the portals ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xlii expatriation.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Reprobation
... He exercises mercy toward some and hardens others, without ... Again; did Pharaoh fit
himself for destruction, or did ... God appear in the dreadfulness of His anger! ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter five the sovereignty of.htm

On his Father'S Silence, Because of the Plague of Hail.
... grow obdurate, like the hard-hearted Pharaoh, [3074] that ... the smoke [3086] of His
anger, the prelude of ... furnace, [3117] by sprinkling which toward heaven, Moses ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xvi on his fathers.htm

Exposition of Chap. Iii. (ii. 28-32. )
... wonders, great and sore, upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon ... said unto Moses, Stretch
out thine hand toward the heaven ... 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 ... To the friends of the young Pharaoh it was patent ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xlvii the promised land.htm

Exploring Canaan by Faith
... marvelously delivered us from the hand of Pharaoh, king of ... Joshua gave me permission,
and I marched toward it fully ... Can you find the cubic contents of anger? ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter five exploring canaan by.htm