Exodus 9:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: You are still exalting yourself against my people and will not let them go.

NIV: You still set yourself against my people and will not let them go.

NASB: Still you exalt yourself against My people by not letting them go.

CSB: You are still acting arrogantly against my people by not letting them go.

NLT: But you still lord it over my people and refuse to let them go.

KJV: As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?

NKJV: As yet you exalt yourself against My people in that you will not let them go.

Despite six plagues, Pharaoh remained hardened and defiant. Though his magicians could not compete with divine miracles (Exodus 8:18–19; 9:11), Pharaoh continued to reject the Lord's command. Despite repeated warnings, he refused to release the Hebrew people (Exodus 5:1; 7:16; 8:1, 21; 9:1). Here, the Lord indicates that this is the result of pride. Pharaoh will not accept that he is not the ultimate power above all else. He thinks his will is more important than the lives of the Hebrews, or the demands of their God.

In some ways, Pharaoh's response reflects the attitude of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. They were placed in charge of the entire garden with only one restriction: fruit from a particular tree (Genesis 2:16–17). Pharaoh was likewise blessed with many resources. God gave him one command (Exodus 5:1), yet he refused to obey (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7) and experienced judgment because of that sin (Genesis 3; Exodus 4:21–23). God's commands are not optional; those who reject His clear commands eventually face consequences. Just as Satan lied to Eve in the garden (Genesis 3:4–6), Pharaoh accepted the lie that he was powerful enough to defy God and do as he pleased.

Exodus 9:13–26 explains the seventh plague on Egypt (Exodus 3:20). Because Pharaoh has stubbornly resisted the Lord (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7), God has begun to harden Pharaoh's heart as a means of judgment (Exodus 9:12). Moses offers a warning for Egyptians to take shelter against a coming storm. Some listen, others do not. God sends a terrifying, brutal storm of hail and lightning that kills everything and everyone in the open fields. Only the Hebrew land of Goshen is spared.

After four devastating plagues, Pharaoh continues to resist God's command to free the Hebrew slaves. Through Moses, the Lord sends two more: death of Egyptian livestock and an epidemic of skin lesions. Pharoah refuses to respond to the first, and God makes him stubborn after the second. This leads to the most terrifying sign yet: the seventh plague of hail and fire. Pharoah claims to repent. Yet as soon as the hail stops, he again chooses obstinance. After this, the Lord will use Pharaoh as a tool to demonstrate divine judgment.

Moses and Aaron brought the Lord's command that Pharaoh should release Hebrew slaves (Exodus 5:1–4). Over and over, Egypt's king was obstinate. This resulted in divine plagues meant to demonstrate God's power and authority (Exodus 7:20; 8:6, 17, 24). In this chapter, God sends three more disasters: a plague on livestock, an epidemic of skin sores, and an obliterating storm of hail and lightning. Pharaoh will once again choose stubbornness, passing a point of no return (Proverbs 29:1). For the remaining plagues (Exodus 10—12) and after (Exodus 14:4), Pharaoh will be a living example of the Lord's divine judgment (Exodus 4:21).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.