Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt during the time of Moses, is a prominent biblical figure known for his persistent disobedience to God. His account is primarily found in the Book of Exodus, where he plays a central role in the narrative of the Israelites' liberation from slavery.

Background and Context

Pharaoh's disobedience is set against the backdrop of the Israelites' enslavement in Egypt. The Hebrews had grown numerous, and a new Pharaoh, who did not know Joseph, felt threatened by their presence (Exodus 1:8-10). In response, he subjected them to harsh labor and attempted to curb their population growth through infanticide (Exodus 1:11-16).

Moses and the Divine Command

God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, appearing to him in a burning bush and commissioning him to confront Pharaoh with the demand to "Let My people go" (Exodus 3:10). Despite Moses' initial reluctance, God assured him of divine support and provided signs to authenticate his mission (Exodus 4:1-17).

Pharaoh's Hardened Heart

Pharaoh's disobedience is characterized by his repeated refusal to heed God's command delivered through Moses and Aaron. The narrative emphasizes the hardening of Pharaoh's heart, a phrase that appears multiple times throughout the account (Exodus 7:13, 22; 8:15, 32; 9:12). This hardening is both a result of Pharaoh's own stubbornness and a divine act, illustrating the interplay between human free will and divine sovereignty.

The Ten Plagues

God sent a series of ten plagues upon Egypt as a demonstration of His power and as a judgment against Pharaoh's disobedience. Each plague targeted specific aspects of Egyptian life and their pantheon of gods, revealing the impotence of Egypt's deities compared to the God of Israel. The plagues included turning the Nile to blood, infestations of frogs, gnats, and flies, the death of livestock, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and the death of the firstborn (Exodus 7-12).

Despite the severity of these plagues, Pharaoh's heart remained hardened. After each plague, he either reneged on his promises to release the Israelites or outright refused to let them go. His disobedience culminated in the final and most devastating plague—the death of the firstborn—which led to the institution of the Passover and the eventual release of the Israelites (Exodus 12:29-31).

The Pursuit and the Red Sea

Even after allowing the Israelites to leave, Pharaoh's disobedience persisted. He regretted his decision and pursued the Israelites with his army, intending to bring them back to Egypt (Exodus 14:5-9). This pursuit led to the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, where God delivered the Israelites and destroyed Pharaoh's army (Exodus 14:21-28).

Theological Implications

Pharaoh's disobedience serves as a powerful example of the consequences of resisting God's will. His account illustrates the futility of opposing divine purposes and the ultimate triumph of God's plans. It also highlights the themes of judgment and deliverance, showcasing God's justice in punishing disobedience and His mercy in liberating His people.

Pharaoh's hardened heart is a sobering reminder of the dangers of pride and obstinacy. His refusal to acknowledge God's authority led to the downfall of his nation and serves as a cautionary tale for all who would resist the divine will.Exodus 5:2
And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Sovereignty of God in Reprobation
... Again; did Pharaoh fit himself for destruction, or did ... to the stumbling at the Word,
and their disobedience. Here, then, God expressly affirms that there are ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter five the sovereignty of.htm

Purposes of God.
... x.16: "Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said ... would not be
better for the universe, and more pleasing to God than disobedience is in ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xlvi purposes of god.htm

The Captivity.
... she had deserved, and how black was her disobedience in the ... made answer by the word
of the God of Justice ... who had newly taken Nineveh, and Pharaoh Necho, King ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson x the captivity.htm

The Scheme of Necessity Makes God the Author of Sin.
... events of his providence as to render the disobedience of Abraham ... said, that nothing
more was necessary on God's part, in order to fit Pharaoh for destruction ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/chapter ii the scheme of.htm

Moses
... would have dared to come before the great king Pharaoh. ... even though men's lives be
the forfeit of disobedience. ... really but once; and for that God punished him. ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon ix moses.htm

The Doctrine of God
... they change from ungodliness to godliness and from disobedience unto obedience ... cavillers
today say there was injustice with God in His treatment of Pharaoh. ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of god.htm

And Bring us not into Temptation but Deliver us from Evil
... too, whether God's reason for hardening the heart of Pharaoh also is ... and unsoundness
of thought did not originate when in disobedience to God she hearkened ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen on prayer/chapter xix and bring us.htm

Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
... ancients gloriously."[521] Many were appointed or left to disobedience and condemnation ...
a people, to enter into solemn covenant with God, Pharaoh had addressed ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter viii covenanting according to.htm

How God Works in the Hearts of Men.
... now worketh in the children of disobedience," (Eph.2 ... rather indicate what men become
when God deserts them ... as those concerning the hardening of Pharaoh: "I will ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 4 how god works.htm

On the Catholic Faith
... of suspicion to the Egyptian rulers, and Pharaoh ordered them to ... which had been lost
through the disobedience of the ... man might be recovered by the God-man, and ...
/.../boethius/the theological tractates/on the catholic faith.htm

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