“And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the LORD had spoken by Moses.”
This verse is part of the account of the plagues that God brought upon Egypt to secure the release of the Israelites from their slavery. Exodus 9:35 does not specifically focus on the plague of hail but rather summarizes Pharaoh’s continued refusal to let the Israelites go, in alignment with what God had foretold.
Context:The book of Exodus recounts the story of the Israelites’ liberation from Egypt. Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, initially refused to release the Israelites from bondage despite the repeated warnings and demonstrations of God’s power through miraculous signs and plagues.
Hardened heart:The phrase “the heart of Pharaoh was hardened” signifies that Pharaoh stubbornly persisted in his decision to not let the Israelites go. It suggests that his heart became increasingly resistant to the divine message and hardened against God’s command. The hardening of Pharaoh’s heart was primarily an act of God’s sovereignty, as explicitly stated in Exodus 9:12. While Pharaoh made personal choices, God’s sovereign plan was at work to bring about judgment and deliverance.
God’s foretelling:The verse acknowledges that Pharaoh’s refusal to let the Israelites go aligns with what God had previously communicated to Moses. God had forewarned Moses that despite the signs and miracles that would be performed, Pharaoh’s heart would be hardened, and he would not willingly release the Israelites until a series of plagues had been unleashed upon Egypt.
Free will and divine sovereignty:The account of Pharaoh’s hardened heart raises questions about the relationship between human free will and divine sovereignty. Although Pharaoh exhibited stubbornness, the Bible makes it clear that God sovereignly hardened Pharaoh’s heart, as seen in Exodus 9:12. This was not simply a matter of Pharaoh’s decisions but an act of divine intervention. It showcases a complex interplay between Pharaoh’s stubbornness and God’s ultimate purposes in displaying His power and delivering the Israelites.
This verse serves as a reminder of the consequences of a hardened heart, which can lead to a rejection of God’s will and a resistance to His commands. It also highlights the sovereignty of God, who works through human actions and choices to bring about His purposes.
