When Pharaoh saw that the rain and hail and thunder had ceased, he sinned again and hardened his heart--he and his officials. When Pharaoh saw that the rain and hail and thunder had ceased,This phrase indicates a moment of relief for Pharaoh and Egypt after the seventh plague. The cessation of the storm signifies a temporary reprieve from God's judgment. In the ancient Near East, weather phenomena were often seen as manifestations of divine power. The Egyptians worshiped gods like Seth, who was associated with storms, but the plagues demonstrated the LORD's supremacy over these deities. The cessation of the storm might have led Pharaoh to believe that the threat was over, revealing a common human tendency to forget divine intervention once immediate danger passes. Exo 8:15 When Pharaoh saw that there was relief, however,… he sinned again Pharaoh's sin here is his refusal to let the Israelites go, despite his previous promises. This reflects a pattern of disobedience and rebellion against God's commands. In biblical terms, sin is often described as missing the mark or failing to live up to God's standards. Pharaoh's repeated sinning highlights the hardness of his heart and his resistance to God's will. This pattern is reminiscent of the cycle of sin and repentance seen throughout the Old Testament, particularly in the book of Judges. Exo 10:16-17 Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and Aaron and said,… and hardened his heart—he and his officials. The hardening of Pharaoh's heart is a central theme in the Exodus narrative. It illustrates the tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. While God is said to harden Pharaoh's heart in some passages, here it is Pharaoh himself who hardens his heart, showing his culpability. This hardening is a deliberate choice to resist God's command, reflecting a spiritual blindness and stubbornness. The mention of his officials indicates that this was not just a personal decision but one that involved the leadership of Egypt, suggesting a collective resistance to God's will. This hardening can be seen as a type of the ultimate rejection of God, which is fulfilled in the New Testament by those who reject Christ, the true deliverer. Exo 10:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh… Persons / Places / Events 1. PharaohThe ruler of Egypt who repeatedly hardened his heart against God's commands delivered through Moses. 2. Moses The prophet and leader chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. 3. Egypt The land where the Israelites were enslaved and where God demonstrated His power through the plagues. 4. The Plagues A series of divine judgments sent by God to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites, with the hail being the seventh plague. 5. Officials of Pharaoh The advisors and leaders in Pharaoh's court who also participated in the hardening of their hearts. Teaching Points The Danger of a Hardened HeartPharaoh's repeated hardening of his heart serves as a warning against resisting God's will and the consequences of persistent sin. God's Sovereignty and Patience Despite Pharaoh's obstinance, God patiently demonstrated His power and gave multiple opportunities for repentance. The Deceitfulness of Sin Sin can deceive and harden our hearts, leading us away from God's truth and grace. The Role of Leaders Pharaoh's officials also hardened their hearts, showing how leadership can influence others for good or ill. Responding to God's Warnings We must be attentive and responsive to God's warnings in our lives, unlike Pharaoh who ignored them. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Pharaoh's response to the cessation of the plague reflect the human tendency to forget God in times of ease?2. In what ways can we guard our hearts against becoming hardened like Pharaoh's, especially after experiencing God's deliverance? 3. How does the account of Pharaoh's hardened heart challenge us to examine our own responses to God's commands? 4. What lessons can we learn from Pharaoh's officials about the influence of leadership on spiritual decisions? 5. How can we apply the warnings from Hebrews 3:13 and Proverbs 28:14 to our daily walk with God to prevent a hardened heart? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 7:13This verse introduces the theme of Pharaoh's hardened heart, which is a recurring motif throughout the plagues. Romans 9:17-18 Paul references Pharaoh's hardened heart to illustrate God's sovereignty and purpose in using Pharaoh to demonstrate His power. Hebrews 3:13 This verse warns believers against the deceitfulness of sin, which can harden hearts, similar to Pharaoh's experience. Proverbs 28:14 Highlights the blessing of a responsive heart to God, contrasting with the hardened heart of Pharaoh. 1 Samuel 6:6 The Philistines recall the hardening of Pharaoh's heart as a warning against resisting God's will.
People Aaron, Egyptians, Israelites, Moses, PharaohPlaces Egypt, GoshenTopics Bondmen, Ceased, Continueth, Ended, Hail, Hardened, Hardeneth, Heart, Hearts, Ice-storm, Officials, Pharaoh, Rain, Servants, Sin, Sinned, Sinning, Stopped, Thunder, Thunders, Voices, YetDictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 9:33-34Library Confession of Sin --A Sermon with Seven TextsThe Hardened Sinner. PHARAOH--"I have sinned."--Exodus 9:27. I. The first case I shall bring before you is that of the HARDENED SINNER, who, when under terror, says, "I have sinned." And you will find the text in the book of Exodus, the 9th chap. and 27th verse: "And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the Lord is righteous, and I and my people are wicked." But why this confession from the lips of the haughty tyrant? He was not often wont to … Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857 The God of the Old Testament is the God of the New The Plagues of Egypt Sign Seekers, and the Enthusiast Reproved. The Hardening in the Sacred Scripture. The Sovereignty of God in Reprobation Man's Misery by the Fall Opposition to Messiah Ruinous Exposition of Chap. Iii. (ii. 28-32. ) Exodus Links Exodus 9:34 NIVExodus 9:34 NLT Exodus 9:34 ESV Exodus 9:34 NASB Exodus 9:34 KJV Exodus 9:34 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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