Thoughts on the Plagues

This week we will cover the first nine of the plagues (the tenth, the death of the firstborn, warrants its own week).  This is a strange and not particularly pleasant part of Exodus.  Nevertheless, I believe there is a lot here that is fruitful.

When Moses first appeared before Pharaoh, a showdown began between the god of Egypt (Pharaoh) and the God of Israel (the Lord).  This conflict escalates on both sides throughout the story of the plagues:

• The power that God shows increases continually.  At first, Pharaoh casually dismisses Moses' request by saying, "who is the Lord?" (5:2).  Later, God shows signs of His power, but Pharaoh's magicians can replicate the effect (the rod turned into a snake, the plague of blood, and the plague of frogs 7-8:15).  However, beginning with the plague of gnats, the magicians are not able to duplicate what the Lord does.  They admit to Pharaoh, "this is the finger of God" (8:19).  Later, the magicians themselves are even stricken by the plague of boils, and they are unable to stand before Moses (9:11).
• Even as the Lord shows ever greater power, Pharaoh's heart is increasingly hardened.  At first, it seemed logical for Pharaoh to reject Moses' request--he had little reason to believe that it was more than just words.  As the plagues became worse, however, it was clear that the Lord was in complete control.  It was clear that Pharaoh could not win.  First the magicians warned him (8:19), then his advisers pleaded with him to relent (10:7), but Pharaoh became more and more stubborn.  Eventually Pharaoh would not give in even when threatened with the death of every firstborn.  

Pharaoh's rebellion against God is ultimately futile.  In fact, Exodus portrays Pharoah's resistance as part of God's plan.  God even tells Moses, "I will harden Pharaoh's heart" (7:3).  This is troubling; was Pharaoh merely a slave of God's will?  If so, how can Pharaoh be held responsible?  Paul actually raises this question in Romans 9.  I will discuss it further in the sermon.  But for now, note that things aren't that simple.  Throughout this passage, the state of Pharaoh's heart is sometimes attributed to God, but sometimes to Pharaoh.  Pharaoh is clearly held responsible, but at other times it is said to be part of God's plan.  Is this an outright contradiction?  

What is clear is that God can use both faithfulness and rebellion to bring glory to Himself and to work good for His people.