How Did Pharaoh Respond Repeatedly?
The narrative of Pharaoh’s repeated responses is central to the story of the Exodus in the Bible. Throughout the account, Pharaoh of Egypt is presented as a stubborn and resistant ruler who repeatedly refuses to obey God’s commands, delivered through Moses and Aaron. His repeated responses are significant both historically and theologically, illustrating themes of pride, divine sovereignty, and human obstinacy.
1. Initial Confrontation
When Moses and Aaron first approached Pharaoh with God’s demand to “Let my people go” (Exodus 5:1), Pharaoh responded with outright refusal. He questioned the authority of Moses and Aaron, displaying both disbelief and arrogance:
“Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go.”
This initial response set the tone for Pharaoh’s repeated resistance. He was not merely hesitant; he actively rejected the authority of the God of Israel and dismissed Moses’ role as His messenger.
2. Hardening of Pharaoh’s Heart
A key aspect of Pharaoh’s repeated responses is the concept of his heart being “hardened.” The biblical text frequently emphasizes that Pharaoh either hardened his own heart or that God hardened it (Exodus 7:13, 7:22, 9:12, 10:1). This dual attribution serves multiple purposes:
-
Pharaoh’s Stubbornness: Pharaoh continually resisted even when confronted with undeniable signs and miracles, such as the turning of the Nile into blood or the plague of frogs. His repeated refusals demonstrate human pride and the refusal to submit to divine authority.
-
God’s Sovereignty: The narrative also underscores God’s control over the events. By allowing Pharaoh to persist in his resistance, God illustrates His power and the eventual fulfillment of His promises to Israel.
Each plague was a direct challenge to Pharaoh’s authority and Egypt’s gods, yet Pharaoh’s repeated response was to resist, negotiate, or attempt to minimize the impact without granting full compliance.
3. Responses During the Plagues
Pharaoh’s responses varied with each plague but consistently reflected a pattern of partial concession followed by renewed defiance:
-
Partial Concessions: At times, Pharaoh appeared willing to let the Israelites go but only under conditions that were unacceptable to God, such as allowing the men to go while keeping women and children behind (Exodus 10:8-11).
-
Renewed Resistance: After the effects of a plague subsided, Pharaoh would quickly reverse his decisions, demonstrating a cycle of temporary agreement and renewed stubbornness. For example, after the plague of hail, he admitted wrongdoing and promised to let Israel go but later hardened his heart again once the threat had passed (Exodus 9:27-34).
This repetitive pattern highlights both his unwillingness to surrender authority and the pedagogical purpose of the plagues—to teach Pharaoh, Israel, and the world about God’s power and justice.
4. Theological Implications
Pharaoh’s repeated responses serve as a moral and theological lesson in several ways:
-
Pride and Stubbornness: His repeated refusals exemplify the dangers of pride and the human tendency to resist correction.
-
Divine Justice: By hardening Pharaoh’s heart, God demonstrates His power to execute judgment and fulfill promises. Each refusal leads to escalating consequences, culminating in the final plague.
-
Free Will vs. Sovereignty: The interplay of Pharaoh hardening his own heart and God hardening it illustrates a complex relationship between human free will and divine providence. Pharaoh exercised personal choice, yet God used these choices to achieve His larger plan.
5. Conclusion
Pharaoh responded repeatedly with stubborn refusal, partial concessions, and renewed defiance. His responses were not merely obstinate behavior but a key narrative device emphasizing the power of God, the consequences of pride, and the ultimate deliverance of the Israelites. By examining Pharaoh’s repeated reactions, the story communicates enduring lessons about authority, obedience, and divine justice.