Topical Bible: Moses: Renews his Appeal to Pharaoh

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Moses, a central figure in the Old Testament, is renowned for his role as the deliverer of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. One of the pivotal moments in his mission is his repeated appeals to Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, to release the Israelites. This narrative is primarily found in the Book of Exodus, where Moses, under God's command, confronts Pharaoh multiple times, each encounter marked by divine signs and wonders.

Context and Background

The Israelites had been enslaved in Egypt for several centuries, and their cries for deliverance reached God, who remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 2:24). God chose Moses, a Hebrew raised in Pharaoh's palace but exiled in Midian, to lead His people out of Egypt. At the burning bush, God commissioned Moses, assuring him of divine support and instructing him to demand Pharaoh to let the Israelites go (Exodus 3:10).

Moses' Renewed Appeals

Moses' appeals to Pharaoh are characterized by a series of confrontations, each escalating in intensity. After the initial request, which Pharaoh dismisses, God sends a series of plagues upon Egypt, each demonstrating His power and sovereignty.

1. The First Appeal and the Plague of Blood: Moses and Aaron first approach Pharaoh with the message, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Let My people go, so that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness'" (Exodus 5:1). Pharaoh's heart is hardened, and he refuses, leading to the first plague, where the Nile River turns to blood (Exodus 7:14-25).

2. Subsequent Appeals and Plagues: Despite the devastation of each plague, Pharaoh's heart remains hardened. Moses continues to renew his appeal with each subsequent plague: frogs, gnats, flies, the death of livestock, boils, hail, locusts, and darkness (Exodus 8-10). Each time, Moses delivers God's command, "Let My people go," and each time Pharaoh either refuses or reneges on his promises after relief from the plague.

3. The Tenth Plague and Final Appeal: The culmination of Moses' appeals is the announcement of the tenth and final plague—the death of the firstborn. God instructs Moses to prepare the Israelites for the Passover, marking their homes with the blood of a lamb to be spared from the plague (Exodus 12:1-13). After this devastating event, Pharaoh finally relents, allowing the Israelites to leave Egypt (Exodus 12:31-32).

Theological Significance

Moses' repeated appeals to Pharaoh highlight several key theological themes:

· Divine Sovereignty: The narrative underscores God's supreme authority over creation and human rulers. Each plague serves as a demonstration of His power, challenging the Egyptian gods and Pharaoh's perceived divinity.

· Human Agency and Divine Will: Moses acts as God's chosen instrument, illustrating the interplay between divine will and human agency. Despite his initial reluctance, Moses faithfully carries out God's commands, showing obedience and perseverance.

· Judgment and Mercy: The plagues represent both judgment upon Egypt for their oppression and mercy towards the Israelites, whom God seeks to redeem and establish as His covenant people.

· Hardened Hearts: Pharaoh's repeated hardening of heart serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and resistance to God's will. It also illustrates the mystery of divine hardening, where God's purposes are fulfilled even through human obstinacy.

Moses' renewed appeals to Pharaoh are a testament to his role as a prophet and leader, faithfully executing God's commands amidst adversity. This narrative not only recounts the historical deliverance of Israel but also foreshadows the ultimate redemption found in Christ, the true Passover Lamb.

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Exodus 6:11
Go in, speak to Pharaoh king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land.
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Library

The Arguments Usually Alleged in Support of Free Will Refuted.
... of is not that by which God renews the heart ... of gratuitous election by the passage
in Moses, "I will ... But, though we might justly decline his testimony, let us ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 5 the arguments usually.htm

The Barren Fig-Tree;
... prayer turn away God's judgments from even Pharaoh himself! ... God, down they had gone,
but that Moses stood in ... down, had not Jesus caught hold of his Father's axe ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the barren fig-tree.htm

An Analysis of Augustin's Writings against the Donatists.
... it is the difference between Pharaoh and Moses in their ... arm against the Maximianists,
and in the appeal to Julian ... fall on the head of C??cilian and his followers ...
/.../chapter ii name analysis of.htm

Selections from the Work against Heresies by Irenaeus, Bishop of ...
... was the giving of the Law by Moses; and the ... 20 ?^2Therefore he renews these things
in himself, uniting man to ... he came back from Mesopotamia to his father, and ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/selections from the work against 2.htm