Moses’ Story: Hardened Hearts

Exodus 9-10

The Ten Signposts of the Bible
CAMDE—400—CALY
Creation. Abraham. MOSES. David. Elijah. 400. Christ. Apostles. Letters. Yet-to Come.

MOSES: Israel enslaved. Moses rescued. In Midian. Burning bush. Excuses. Plagues.

Four recurring threads run throughout Scripture, tying it together: who God is, who we are, how to know God, and how to walk with God. In the account of the ten plagues, we see all four threads converge. As Pharaoh hardens his heart, we are confronted with humanity’s state (who we are without God). Paul reminds us in Romans 1 that there is a time when God gives people over to do what their hearts desire, exchanging “the truth about God for a lie” to worship and serve “the creature rather than the Creator” (Rom. 1:24-25). 

In our passage today, as Pharaoh endures plague after plague, his heart remains hardened and closed off to God. Therefore, God continues to give Pharaoh over to his desires, which bring havoc to the land and its people. Remember, the plagues were not only to punish Egypt but also to confirm to the Israelites that their God was the one true God. 

The Fifth Plague: Death of Egyptian Livestock (Ex. 9:1-7)
After the flies, Pharaoh conceded that Israel could gather in Egypt to make sacrifices to God. But Moses had requested that all Israelite men, women, and children be allowed to take a three-day journey into the wilderness to worship the Lord. Pharaoh tried to negotiate with God, but that was a poor idea. 

Just as God had said, the next plague struck the livestock. All the livestock of the Egyptians died, “but not one of the livestock of the people of Israel died” (Ex. 9:6). God protected Israel while delivering a devastating blow to Egypt. Still, “the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go” (Ex. 9:7). 

The Sixth Plague: Boils (Ex. 9:8-12)
Plague #6 affected both people and animals. Painful, festering boils broke out on the Egyptians; even the magicians were out of commission. “But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as the Lord had spoken to Moses” (Ex. 9:12).  

Remember Paul’s words in Romans 1 that we’ve considered. Pharaoh has continued to harden his heart, and now God has given him over because he has rejected the Creator. 

The Seventh Plague: Hail (Ex. 9:13-35)
Moses warned that a storm was coming, but many paid no attention. Think of the worst thunderstorm and hailstorm you have ever experienced—then multiply that by ten. There came “hail and fire flashing continually in the midst of the hail, very heavy hail, such as had never been in all the land of Egypt…” (Ex. 9:24). All the barley and flax crops were destroyed. But there was no hail in Goshen, “where the people of Israel were” (Ex. 9:26). 

This time, Pharaoh recanted, saying, “I have sinned; the Lord is in the right, and my people and I are in the wrong. Plead with the Lord, for there has been enough of God’s thunder and hail. I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer” (Ex. 9:27-28). But you guessed it. After the hail stopped, “the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people of Israel go, just as the Lord had spoken through Moses” (Ex. 9:35).   

The Eighth Plague: Locusts (Ex. 10:1-20)
The crops and vegetation across Egypt were decimated as hordes of locusts descended on the land. “Not a green thing remained, neither tree nor plant of the field, through all the land of Egypt” (Ex. 10:15).

Pharaoh again acknowledged his sin and pleaded for relief (Ex. 10:16-18). But when God called off the locusts, “the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the people of Israel go” (Ex. 10:20).  

The Ninth Plague: Darkness (Ex 10:21-29)
The ninth plague was a debilitating darkness over the land for three days. Pharaoh pleaded with Moses to leave with the Israelites, including children, to worship the Lord, but still refused to allow their livestock to accompany them. Moses insisted that the livestock go as well, but “the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let them go” (Ex. 10:27). 

We will consider the final plague next time, but for now, there is a truth we must understand and come to terms with. Throughout the account of the plagues, it is said that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart. What does that phrase mean?

The beauty of Scripture is that it explains itself. In his letter to the Romans, Paul offers commentary on what is happening with Pharaoh. He acknowledges that God’s sovereign work is often hard to understand, citing the example of God choosing Jacob over Esau. That raises a question: Can God do that? Isn’t it unjust for God to choose one over another? 

Paul responds to the question of God acting unjustly by exclaiming, “By no means!” (Rom. 9:14). God holds the final decision on whom to show mercy and compassion. Then Paul applies this to Pharaoh.

Romans 9:17-18
For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”  So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.

God raised Pharaoh up to demonstrate his power. God raised Pharaoh up so that his power would be proclaimed throughout the whole earth. God used Pharaoh to demonstrate his mercy and power. His sovereign works are not arbitrary. They are always for his divine purposes.[1] 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD 
Read and reflect on Exodus 9-10. Have you confused confession with repentance—seeking relief from consequences rather than transformation of your heart?

Talking to God: Ask God if confession without repentance is holding you back.

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