-
Moses and Pharaoh: Exodus 5-12
Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh to tell him to let God’s people go. Pharaoh responded, “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and besides, I will not let Israel go” (Exod. 5:2). Because Pharaoh had a hard heart, a series of ten plagues were unleashed on Egypt to show God’s power and superiority over the false gods of the Egyptians (see Exod. 12:12).
After Moses initially came to Pharaoh, Pharaoh increased the labor of the Hebrews. God reassured Moses that Israel would be delivered “with an outstretched arm and with great judgments” (Exod. 6:6). At first, Pharaoh appeared unconcerned, but the plagues began to wear on him. Pharaoh would agree to let the people go if the plague was removed, but then he would change his mind and make them stay after the plague was gone. His heart was getting harder.
The last plague brought Pharaoh down. He had hardened his heart against the Lord, but this time, his own firstborn son would be taken from him, and he would drive the people out of the land.
With each of the plagues, the children of Israel were unaffected. They did not suffer with the Egyptians. In the case of the death of the firstborn, God made provision for them, and instituted the feast of the Passover to remember the occasion. They were to take blood and put it on their doorposts so that their houses would be passed over during the plague. Then they were to hurriedly eat and be prepared to leave the land.
Discussion
1. Why was Pharaoh unwilling to listen to Moses and Aaron?
2. What effect did the plagues have on Pharaoh?
3. What does it mean when it says that Pharaoh’s heart was hardened? God said that He would harden Pharaoh’s heart. What does this mean? How did He do this?
4. How was God’s power shown in the plagues as related to the gods of Egypt?
5. Discuss the significance of the Passover feast. What is it? Why was it important? How does it foreshadow Christ?