Exodus 9:35 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people of Israel go, just as the Lord had spoken through Moses.

NIV: So Pharaoh’s heart was hard and he would not let the Israelites go, just as the Lord had said through Moses.

NASB: So Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he did not let the sons of Israel go, just as the Lord had spoken through Moses.

CSB: So Pharaoh’s heart was hard, and he did not let the Israelites go, as the Lord had said through Moses.

NLT: Because his heart was hard, Pharaoh refused to let the people leave, just as the Lord had predicted through Moses.

KJV: And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the Lord had spoken by Moses.

NKJV: So the heart of Pharaoh was hard; neither would he let the children of Israel go, as the Lord had spoken by Moses.

Despite seven supernatural, devastating plagues (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10, 24) Pharaoh has again chosen to reject the Lord's commands (Exodus 9:34). He refuses to submit to God. Pharaoh's own decisions (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32) will result in a horrific form of judgment. He will no longer be able to repent (Exodus 4:21). Instead, the Lord will use Pharaoh as an illustration of God's wrath (Exodus 10:20, 27; 11:10; 14:8–9). While God welcomes any who come to Him in sincerity (John 3:16–17; 6:27), no one has an infinite time to respond (Proverbs 29:1; Isaiah 55:6; Luke 13:25; Hebrews 9:27; 2 Peter 3:8–13).

In many ways, the attitude of these Egyptian leaders parallels the way the Antichrist and those with him will live during the tribulation. Many plagues, signs, and catastrophes will take place (Revelation 6—19). But the world will follow the Antichrist's lead and harden their hearts toward the Lord. Despite so many obvious signs, many will choose to reject God and suffer eternally for their choice (Revelation 20:11–15).

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.

Accessed 3/28/2025 2:27:16 PM