20 January

Bible in 365 Days

Exodus 7-9 

Exodus 7

We have here the record of God's answer to Moses' difficulty. He reaffirmed Himself and charged His servant to speak to Pharaoh the things commanded. Moreover, He foretold the result of the delivery of the message.

Here begins the story of the conflict between Jehovah and Pharaoh. Throughout this entire story two different words are employed, the distinction between which has a vital bearing on the story itself. The first word suggests the idea of giving fixity, or, in the realm of the will, strength. 'The second indicates willful stubbornness. The condition of Pharaoh on the first visit of Moses and Aaron is described by the first of these words. The Authorized renders it, "He hardened Pharaoh's heart." This should be rendered, He made strong the heart of Pharaoh. Immediately following, Pharaoh's attitude from his own standpoint is revealed. Then the word is "hardened," in the sense of calloused. This distinction must be maintained throughout.

The plagues that fell on Pharaoh came in three sections of three each, followed by a fourth, with only one plague, which was final. The first of the first three is recorded here. Before it fell, Pharaoh was warned in the morning. In this and the two following, terrible discomfort was produced but neither pain nor death.

Exodus 8

Before the second plague Pharaoh received an opportunity to repent. He was warned of the approach of the plague. The warning had no effect. In the first plague magicians had produced apparently like results and it was so also with this second one. This was their last success. Pharaoh relented and asked for a respite. This was granted and for a reason clearly declared, "That thou mayest how that there is none like unto Jehovah our God." At any sign of turning by Pharaoh the divine mercy turned toward him. Here again Pharaoh hardened, that is, calloused his own heart. Note this was his own act and not God's.

In the coming of the third plague there was a change of method. No warning was given. Pharaoh had broken faith. In the presence of this visitation the magicians confessed their recognition of some power superior to any they knew. Their incompetence and testimony constituted a still further warning to Pharaoh. Nevertheless, again he refused to relent.

Therefore the judgment of God went forward and we have the first of the second cycle of plagues. A new method of impressing the heart of the king was taken by the information that Israel was to be immune. At this point Pharaoh commenced a policy of attempted compromise. He suggested that they should sacrifice in the land. This Moses absolutely refused, declaring it was necessary to separate from Egypt in order to worship. Pharaoh then seemed to give way as he declared his willingness to let them go, but not far. Once again, by his own act, Pharaoh made stubborn his heart and refused to submit.

Exodus 9

The patient method of God is manifest in that, notwithstanding the fact that Pharaoh had again broken faith, God again warned him. There being no evidence of repentance, the fifth plague fell upon the nation. The fact of the struggle going on in the heart of Pharaoh is seen in that he investigated the condition of Israel and found that they were exempt from the visitation. Nevertheless, he still maintained the attitude of stubborn resistance.

Now the divine method changed. Without warning came the plague of boils, and here it is said that Jehovah hardened the heart of Pharaoh. It is important to notice the word made use of. And "Jehovah made strong the heart of Pharaoh." This is a significant statement, revealing that God strengthened the courage of the man in order that now, when he had stubbornly resisted, he might persist in the conflict to bring the complete victory of Jehovah.

The third cycle of three plagues began with hail. The warning was more explicit than on any previous occasion and an opportunity to escape was given. Some of the Egyptians availed themselves it. Out of the midst of the desolation Pharaoh cried, "I have sinned." The sequence shows that this was not a cry of genuine repentance, but an expression of desire to escape from the plague. The absolute justice and the patience of God are seen in that even though the cry was not a cry of genuine repentance, the plague was withdrawn. When it was withdrawn, we are again told that Pharaoh made heavy his heart, and his heart was made strong. The first word described his own act; the second the act of God, confirming his choice.