Contributor: Isekhua Evborokhai
INTRODUCTION
In last week’s study we began to observe how over and over again, Pharaoh hardened his heart towards God. Although God was patient with him, allowing him opportunities to repent and to let Israel go; he decided (himself) not to. This can be seen in 7:13 (Yet Pharaoh’s heart was hardened) 7:22 (so Pharaoh’s heart was hardened), 8:15 (he hardened his heart), 8:19 (But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened), 8:32 (But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also).
today’s study of Exodus chapters 9 and 10, we encounter one of the most devastating realities in Scripture and life: a heart that becomes hardened. Proverbs 28:14 (ESV) says: "Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity”
Interestingly, we see that this incident with Pharaoh was not only about judgment, but also about mercy. Again and again, God sent warnings before sending plagues. He gave opportunities to respond. He even made a distinction between those who will listen and those who will not. Yet Pharaoh was adamant.
In last week study, we saw five instances following 4 different plagues where Pharaoh chose to harden his heart. We will see the same pattern in today’s study as we consider the next five plagues
PART 1: CHAPTER 9
1. VERSES 1–12: THE 5TH & 6TH PLAGUES – SELECTIVE JUDGMENT
• Livestock die (Egypt affected, Israel spared) Verses 1-7
Key Verse: Verse 7: “Pharaoh investigated and found that not even one of the animals of the Israelites had died (NIV). But the heart of Pharaoh became hard, and he did not let the people go. (NKJV)
• Boils afflict Egyptians (Egypt affected, Israel spared) Verses 8-12
Key Verse: Verse 12: But the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh; and he did not heed them, just as the LORD had spoken to Moses.
This was the first time God hardened Pharaoh’s heart. During last week’s study, a pertinent question was asked: “Why did God harden Pharaoh’s heart?”
And in answering the question, we referred to our study of Romans 19 a couple of years ago. The fact is this: God did not force Pharaoh’s heart to be hard towards Him and Israel. What He simply did was allow Pharaoh’s heart to pursue its natural inclination. Initially, God did not harden Pharaoh’s heart; he was given the opportunity to choose freely to obey God time and time again. Instead, he and the Egyptians freely rejected God’s command to let Israel go.
1 Samuel 6:6a says to the Israelites: “Why do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh did?”
2. VERSES 13-26: THE 7TH PLAGUE – MERCY IN WARNING
• Plague of hail
Here we see God giving advance warning – a chance for the people to act. Verses 15 & 16 tell us of how God extended the offer of mercy to Pharaoh.
“15 For by now I could have put out My hand and struck you and your people with a pestilence, and you would then have been cut off (obliterated) from the earth. 16 But indeed for this very reason I have allowed you to live, in order to show you My power and in order that My name may be proclaimed throughout all the earth.”
Some Egyptians feared God and protected their servants and livestock from this plague. From this incident, we see that God’s judgment is never without opportunity for repentance.
3. VERSES 27-35: PHARAOH’S DECEPTION
Pharaoh sends for Moses and Aaron and declares: “This time I have sinned… The LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.” 28 Pray to the Lord, for we have had enough thunder and hail. I will let you go; you don’t have to stay any longer.”
At first glance, this sounds like genuine repentance:
• Pharaoh admitted his sin
• He acknowledged God’s righteousness
• He asked for prayer/intercession
But this was only a crisis-driven confession, not a transformation of heart. Moses was not fooled, however. We see this in his response in verse 30: “I know that you and your officials still do not fear the LORD God.”
This was quickly confirmed in verses 34 & 35: “When Pharaoh saw that the rain and hail and thunder had stopped, he sinned again: He and his officials hardened their hearts. 35 So Pharaoh’s heart was hard and he would not let the Israelites go, just as the Lord had said through Moses.”
We see from these verses that the hardening of heart was by the choice of Pharaoh and his officials – not God.
PART 2: CHAPTER 10
1. VERSES 1-20: THE 8TH PLAGUE – INCREASING CONSEQUENCES
• Pharaoh Exhausts God’s Mercy (Verses 1-6)
As we turn into chapter 10, we see a turn in God’s instruction to Moses. In verse 1, the Bible says: “And the Lord said unto Moses, go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart”
In verse 3, the Lord asks Pharaoh. “How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me?” It was the pride of Pharaoh that prolonged their suffering. This holds true for us even now. Many people prolong their suffering because of pride.
At this point, God had heard enough. Pharaoh and his officials had squandered all the opportunities He gave them to repent because of their pride. And throughout this chapter we see a recurrence of God hardening Pharaoh’s heart. Verse 20 (But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart), Verse 27 (But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart).
• The Halfway Obedience Agenda (Verses 7-11)
Pharaoh’s officials plead with him and he summoned Moses and Aaron and presented an alternative to God’s plan. “Go, worship the Lord your God,” he said. “But tell me who will be going.” (Verse 8b), No! Have only the men go and worship the Lord, since that’s what you have been asking for.” (Verse 11a),
• The Plague of Locusts (Verses 12-15)
God sends locusts to devour what remains after the hail destroyed all crops. The more Pharaoh resisted, the more dire were the consequences. Nothing green remained on tree or plant in all the land of Egypt.
Verse 13: The East wind blew at the command of God. Highlighting how God uses natural forces under His control to accomplish His purposes. Wind, insects, land—everything obeys God. What may seem “natural” is actually under divine authority.
• Pharaoh’s Deception Replayed (Verses 16-20)
16 Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “I have sinned against the Lord your God and against you. 17 Now forgive my sin once more and pray to the Lord your God to take this deadly plague away from me.”
It was too late, because now Pharaoh no longer had control of his heart. Verse 20 says: “But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let the Israelites go.”
Galatians 6:7 tells us that God cannot be mocked! He cannot be ridiculed, deceived, or treated with contempt, and Pharaoh was going to reap the consequences of his actions! It was at this point the die was cast and there was no turning back – all 10 plagues must come to pass and all of Egypt’s firstborn must die.
2. VERSES 21–29: THE 9TH PLAGUE – DARKNESS
God sent thick darkness to cover all of Egypt for three days. No one could see anyone else or move about for three days, but Goshen had light
Pharaoh still thought he was wise suggesting this
Verse 24: "Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and said, “Go, worship the Lord. Even your women and children may go with you; only leave your flocks and herds behind.”
But he was clearly being foolish. Romans 1:22 says: "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools"
Proverbs 29:1 (NIV) says: “Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.”
Even though Moses was generous enough trying to explain to Pharaoh why they couldn’t leave without their livestock (verses 25-26), God wasn’t having any of it. The die was cast back in verse 20. So, He made sure Pharoah couldn’t change his mind. Verses 27-29: "27 But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he was not willing to let them go. 28 Pharaoh said to Moses, “Get out of my sight! Make sure you do not appear before me again! The day you see my face you will die.” 29 “Just as you say,” Moses replied. “I will never appear before you again.”
CONCLUSION
A hardened heart doesn’t happen overnight. It develops gradually—through repeated resistance, delayed obedience, and ignored conviction. What begins as a simple “not yet” can eventually become a firm “no.” Pharaoh had multiple chances to humble himself, but each refusal made the next one easier, until his heart became unyielding.
It is very important to note however, that before every act of judgment, there was an opportunity for mercy. God sent warnings. He gave time. He made a way for those willing to listen—even among the Egyptians—to respond and be spared.
That same pattern is present in our lives today. God still speaks. He still warns. He still calls us to humility and surrender. So, the question we must ask ourselves is this:
When God speaks, how will I respond?
• Will I resist, delay, and harden my heart?
• Or will I humble myself, listen, and obey?
Because in the end, it’s not just about Pharaoh’s heart—it’s about ours.
