File No. 26

EXODUS 5:1 – 10:29

Exodus 11:1 Psalm 105:26–35

‘LET MY PEOPLE GO’

Printable Version

(SBS Bk 1 Story No. 38)

Story Notes

Exodus 5

Pharaoh didn’t know the Lord and wanted to establish his own kingdom. Therefore, he repressed the Israelites who were being blessed by God. Israel had called on God and things became worse. Perhaps they realised that they would never have a home in Egypt. Moses had seen that God was holy, both when he saw the burning bush and when God insisted that he circumcise his son. He had no doubt that if God commanded Israel to worship him, they would suffer if they did not do as he said. On the other hand, Moses was grieved and complained to God about the uselessness of his visit to Pharaoh.

Exodus 6

God’s reply to Moses was to reveal more of himself and his purpose. God was remembering his covenant with the patriarchs, and there was something new to be revealed to Moses. He should not be limited to what he already knew. The time for God’s judgement on the Egyptians, and later, the Amorites, had come. The time for God to reveal himself living among his people on a world stage had come. Although Moses was still unduly aware of his own limitations, Israel was being drawn on by the command and by the fear of God.

While the name Yahweh (Lord) had been used in the Genesis narrative, it now appears that this was transposing back what was known of God from this later time. The narrators thought this was the appropriate name to use because it was Yahweh that created the earth and blessed Abraham — though the fullness of that name would not be known without the exodus.

Very soon, the tribe of Levi would distinguish themselves as zealous for God and would be set apart for priestly duty, but already, God had these two Levites, Moses and Aaron, ready for work.

Exodus 7

If Moses previously wondered how his words could achieve all God said would happen, there was no need for concern. Deliverance would come by God’s mighty works.

God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, but then, Pharaoh had hardened his own heart and would be judged for it. There is no will of man, good or evil, which is outside the greater will of God, and this remains one of the mysteries we cannot resolve.

The sign God had given Moses in the wilderness, the sign by which Israel had come to trust him, was now copied by Pharaoh’s magicians (perhaps by trickery). The first plague was also rejected, but the terrible ruining of the country had begun.

Exodus 8

With the second plague, magicians could duplicate the problem but not the solution and Pharaoh was obligated to negotiate with Moses. But then, he hardened his heart again. God’s purpose was not just that his people be freed but that Egypt would know him, the living God. With the third plague, magicians could not fake gnats and told Pharaoh they were dealing with God. Pharaoh hardened his heart each time showing us that this was not his fate but his on-going choice. With the fourth plague, God miraculously spared his people, but Egypt was ruined. Pharaoh now had no reason to doubt that God was at work but still tried to negotiate for Israel not to leave the land. Egypt’s quest was for their own power. Israel had been called to worship God without hindrance. This, God would secure.

Exodus 9

The next two plagues did not make Pharaoh change at all. Although he discovered Israel was unaffected by stock loss, and his magicians could not present themselves because of boils, his heart remained hard, or, the Lord made him unable to change. In later times, God gave hardness of heart to his own people to prevent their arrogance and to open up the possibility of faith in God’s mercy (Rom. 11:8, 17–24).

With the hail, God’s plagues hit Pharaoh more personally (v. 14). God could have ruined him straight away but he wanted to make his name known through his patience with his rival (Rom. 9:22–23). Although the severity of the trial brought Pharaoh to say he acknowledged God, Moses could see that while one sign of hope remained, Pharaoh would not relent.

Exodus 10

Threat of locusts made Pharaoh’s officials plead with him to change his mind, and they marvelled that he couldn’t see the ruin of their country. They did not understand the power of God hardening someone’s heart. Pharaoh would do anything to preserve himself and his reign. Then, darkness on the land meant that nothing could be done about repairing the disaster. This brought Pharaoh to offer a concession, but he still held the reins. So his opposition to Moses and God was total. The way of negotiation was closed.