Exodus 10

BY ROBERT V. HUBER

Exodus repeatedly says that God made Pharaoh stubborn and then more stubborn. Some scholars say that when the Bible says that God made something happen, it is simply a way of saying that it happened. Because the Israelites of old believed that nothing happens without God’s say so, if something bad happens, the Bible writers report that it is God who made it happen, even though this is not really the case. Do you think God really did make Pharaoh stubborn or do you think the text is merely saying that Pharaoh was naturally stubborn and that God took advantage of this fact?

When God threatens to send locusts, some of Pharaoh’s advisers try to convince him to give in, asking “Don’t you see how Egypt is falling apart?” (Exodus 10:7). So Pharaoh calls in Moses and Aaron and says they can go, but then asks who would be going. Everyone, he is told. Men, women, children, and even the livestock. Pharaoh says he smells a rat and refuses to let all the people go. How can Pharaoh do this? How could he continue in his stubbornness under such extreme conditions, when even his own advisers are trying to talk him down?

Pharaoh says, “It would take an act of God before I’ll let myself get talked into releasing everyone, kids included” (Exodus 10:10). Pharaoh seems to be forgetting that he has already witnessed seven acts of God, none to his advantage. Take a look at the list. Which one do you think should have been most convincing?

1. Nile River turns to blood.
2. Frog infestation.
3. Gnat infestation.
4. Fly infestation.
5. Death of Egyptian livestock.
6. Skin boils.
7. Hail wipes out the plants and kills people and animals.

Pharaoh refuses to see the big picture. He agrees to let only the Hebrew men go, then he has Moses and Aaron kicked out of the palace. As instructed by God, Moses calls in locusts, which come in on an east wind and devour all the crops that had survived the hail plus the wheat, which had not yet come into season at the time of the hailstorm. Again, Pharaoh admits being wrong, but this time his apologies are further reaching. What changes do you see in Pharaoh’s latest apology?

The next plague follows unannounced. Darkness descended and covered Egypt for three days. Israelites, however, had light where they lived. What do you see in this juxtaposition? Do you think there’s some symbolism going on? For example, the Egyptians, who worshipped the sun god, Aton, are plunged into total darkness. The Israelites who know nothing of Aton, but who have suffered the darkness of slavery for centuries in a foreign land, are bathed in light.

Pharaoh’s response to this frightful darkness is to give in to Moses—up to a point. He tells Moses that he can take his people, children and all, into the desert to worship their God, but that he must leave the livestock behind. Moses responds that the people need the livestock for sacrifices, but he won’t know which animals until the time comes. Do you think Moses was making an excuse, so the slaves would be able to take everything they owned when they made a run for it?

Having refused to accede to Moses’ request once again, Pharaoh tells Moses, “Get out of my sight. And stay out of my sight. The day you see my face again is the day you die.” Moses agrees to this, saying, “Alright. I will never see your face again.” They actually do meet again. But that’s when Moses announces the last plague, which will take the life of Pharaoh’s oldest child—and the firstborn child in each Egyptian family. Do you think Pharaoh brought this on himself by what he said when he ordered Moses to leave?

LIFE APPLICATION: Although we learn to hate him, Pharaoh finds himself in a difficult situation. He depended on the Israelites. They provided cheap labor for his building projects. Without them, he couldn’t get as much accomplished, but they kept insisting on making impossible demands on him. How have you seen people in positions of power respond (for better or worse) to requests from people they supervised?