Impenitence, the persistent refusal to repent or change one's ways, is vividly illustrated in the biblical account of Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt during the time of Moses. Pharaoh's hardened heart and obstinate refusal to release the Israelites from bondage serve as a profound example of impenitence in the Scriptures.

Biblical Narrative

The account of Pharaoh's impenitence is primarily found in the Book of Exodus. God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, where they had been enslaved for centuries. Moses and his brother Aaron approached Pharaoh with God's command: "Let My people go, so that they may worship Me in the wilderness" (Exodus 5:1). However, Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he refused to heed God's command.

The Hardening of Pharaoh's Heart

The hardening of Pharaoh's heart is a central theme in the narrative. The Bible describes both Pharaoh hardening his own heart and God hardening it further. This dual aspect of hardening is significant in understanding the depth of Pharaoh's impenitence. Initially, Pharaoh's own pride and stubbornness led him to resist God's will. As the plagues progressed, God further hardened Pharaoh's heart to demonstrate His power and glory.

The Ten Plagues

Pharaoh's impenitence is most clearly seen through the ten plagues that God sent upon Egypt. Each plague was a direct challenge to the Egyptian gods and a demonstration of the LORD's supremacy. Despite the severity of the plagues, Pharaoh's heart remained unyielding. After each plague, Pharaoh either outright refused to let the Israelites go or reneged on his promises once the plague was lifted.

1. Water Turned to Blood: Pharaoh's magicians replicated this miracle, and Pharaoh's heart remained hardened (Exodus 7:22-23).
2. Frogs: Pharaoh pleaded for relief but hardened his heart once the frogs were gone (Exodus 8:15).
3. Gnats: The magicians acknowledged God's power, yet Pharaoh's heart was hardened (Exodus 8:19).
4. Flies: Pharaoh offered a compromise but hardened his heart after the flies departed (Exodus 8:32).
5. Livestock Pestilence: Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he did not let the people go (Exodus 9:7).
6. Boils: The magicians could not stand before Moses, yet Pharaoh's heart was hardened (Exodus 9:11-12).
7. Hail: Pharaoh admitted his sin but hardened his heart once the hail ceased (Exodus 9:34-35).
8. Locusts: Pharaoh's servants urged him to relent, but his heart was hardened (Exodus 10:20).
9. Darkness: Pharaoh offered another compromise but hardened his heart (Exodus 10:27).
10. Death of the Firstborn: This final plague broke Pharaoh's resistance temporarily, leading to the release of the Israelites (Exodus 12:31-32). However, Pharaoh's impenitence resurfaced as he pursued the Israelites, leading to his destruction at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:28).

Theological Implications

Pharaoh's impenitence serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of a hardened heart. His refusal to acknowledge God's authority and repent of his ways resulted in devastating consequences for himself and his nation. The narrative underscores the sovereignty of God and the futility of resisting His will. Pharaoh's account is a reminder of the importance of humility, repentance, and obedience to God.

References in the New Testament

The Apostle Paul references Pharaoh's impenitence in Romans 9:17-18 , highlighting God's sovereign purpose in raising Pharaoh to demonstrate His power and proclaim His name throughout the earth. This passage emphasizes the divine prerogative in hardening hearts and the ultimate accountability of individuals for their response to God's revelation.

Pharaoh's impenitence remains a powerful example of the peril of resisting God's call to repentance, serving as a warning to all who hear His voice.Exodus 9:30,34
But as for you and your servants, I know that you will not yet fear the LORD God.
Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 10:27
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go.
Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 14:5-9
And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?
Nave's Topical Index

Letter cxlvii. To Sabinianus.
... The ten plagues were sent upon Pharaoh not as by an angry God but as by a warning
father, and his ... Impenitence is the one sin for which there is no forgiveness. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxlvii to sabinianus.htm

The Stony Heart Removed
... death has come in at your windows, affliction has come up against you, but like
Pharaoh, you have ... A hard heart is exposed to the danger of final impenitence. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/the stony heart removed.htm

The Call of Matthew - the Saviour's Welcome to Sinners - Rabbinic ...
... 2434] Similarly, even Pharaoh, who, according ... God, that with Him there was no regard
of persons, He pointed to the Rabbi's penitence and their own impenitence. ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xvii the call of.htm

Spiritualism.
... It was by satanic aid that Pharaoh's magicians were enabled to counterfeit ... described
are included those who in their stubborn impenitence comfort themselves ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /34 spiritualism.htm

Can Our Dead Speak to Us?
... It was by satanic aid that Pharaoh's magicians were enabled to counterfeit ... described
are included those who in their stubborn impenitence comfort themselves ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 34 can our dead.htm

CHAP. I. -II. 3 (II. 1).
... of God; thus, eg, Exodus 4:22: "Thus thou shalt say unto Pharaoh: My son. ... one, either
by smiting and killing them, if they continue in their impenitence, or by ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i -ii 3 ii 1.htm

Blessed are they that Mourn
... Pharaoh says, Take away the plague. ... Impenitence fits these vessels for
hell, and makes them like sere wood which is fit to burn. ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/6 blessed are they that.htm

A Solemn Address to those who Will not be Persuaded to Fall in ...
... Yet as Moses, when he went out from the presence of Pharaoh for the last time ... that
after all his hardness and impenitence, thou wouldst still be pleased, by the ...
/.../the rise and progress of religion in the soul/chapter xi a solemn address.htm

The People on the Earth: Chapters 2-3
... Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head," he meant "days," not years;
for we read: "And it came to pass the third day," etc ... Her impenitence. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the people on the earth .htm

The Greater Prophets.
... small alike the awful judgments of Jehovah if they persisted in their impenitence. ...
17:1-10, the two great eagles are Nebuchadnezzar and Pharaoh; the highest ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

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