Exodus 9:34 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunder had ceased, he sinned yet again and hardened his heart, he and his servants.

NIV: When Pharaoh saw that the rain and hail and thunder had stopped, he sinned again: He and his officials hardened their hearts.

NASB: But when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunder had stopped, he sinned again and hardened his heart, he and his servants.

CSB: When Pharaoh saw that the rain, hail, and thunder had ceased, he sinned again and hardened his heart, he and his officials.

NLT: But when Pharaoh saw that the rain, hail, and thunder had stopped, he and his officials sinned again, and Pharaoh again became stubborn.

KJV: And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.

NKJV: And when Pharaoh saw that the rain, the hail, and the thunder had ceased, he sinned yet more; and he hardened his heart, he and his servants.

In response to some earlier plagues, Pharaoh promised to release the Hebrew slaves. Every time, he broke his word and kept them captive (Exodus 8:8, 15, 25, 32). In other instances, he didn't even pretend to cooperate (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:19). After six prior plagues (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10), Egypt has been thrashed by hail and lightning (Exodus 9:24–25). Pharaoh begged for relief, promising freedom (Exodus 9:28). God ended the storm when Moses stretched out his hands, but Moses—and God—knew this was another insincere deception (Exodus 9:29–30).

Though Egypt's king is the primary culprit, his advisors and fellow Egyptians are not blameless in these events. This verse notes that they defied God "again." This parallels Pharaoh's confession (Exodus 9:27) that they were in error. The chain of disaster will begin to weaken Egyptian resolve. When the next plague is threatened, advisors will suggest negotiation (Exodus 10:7).

Worse, this is when Pharaoh crosses a terrible line and loses the opportunity to repent (Proverbs 29:1). Until now, he has defied God using his own free will—with one exception (Exodus 9:12). God is open to anyone who seeks Him in sincerity and faith (John 6:37). He forgives every sin of His born-again people (John 3:16–17). However, no one has unlimited time to respond to His call (Luke 13:25; Hebrews 9:27; Isaiah 55:6). After this rebellion, the Lord will provide no chance for Pharaoh to avoid judgment (Exodus 4:21; 10:1). Instead, the king will be used as a tool to display the wrath of God (Exodus 10:20, 27; 11:10; 14:8–9).

Exodus 9:27–35 shows that Pharaoh is entirely to blame for his stubbornness against God. After a catastrophic seventh plague, the king claims to be convinced. He begs for the hailstorm to stop (Exodus 9:24–25). Moses agrees but is not fooled by the apparent change of heart. As soon as the hail and lightning stop, Pharaoh once again (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7) deliberately defies God. This is a point of no return (Proverbs 29:1). After this, God will ensure that Pharaoh remains obstinate (Exodus 4:21) to establish an example of divine judgment.

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.