Increased Suffering Hardens Pharaoh’s Resolve

Exodus 9:1-12

Moses had gone to Pharaoh four times to request Israel be allowed to go out to worship God. Determined to demonstrate his control over them, Pharaoh refused each time. Twice he had promised to release them, then broken his word. Like rulers the world over, because of his position he was able to avoid much of the suffering of his people. Many people cling determinedly to their position, in an effort to avoid the perceived embarrassment of admitting they made a mistake. Such stubbornness is always costly, but each time Pharaoh became more determined to win.

“Then the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me. For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still, Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain. And the LORD shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all that is the children's of Israel.

And the LORD appointed a set time, saying, To morrow the LORD shall do this thing in the land. And the LORD did that thing on the morrow, and all the cattle of Egypt died: but of the cattle of the children of Israel died not one.” (Exodus 9:1-6)

God gave Pharaoh another chance to let Israel go, warning him that refusal would result in the Egyptian’s livestock dying while the Israelites cattle would remain safe. Like so many, Pharaoh viewed God’s forbearance as weakness and continued to refuse. Romans 2:4 warns of the consequences. “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;” Pharaoh’s stubbornness only increased the level of suffering fo himself and his people.

The Egyptian cattle did not develop a disease that slowly killed the herds, but died almost immediately, and unlike most livestock diseases, it was not limited to one or two species. The term Murrain used here refers only to a contagious and deadly disease. It must have been frightening to the people, wondering if the disease would spread to humans.

“And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.” (Exodus 9:7)

Government employees were sent out to report how much the food supply would be affected by the plague. What a surprise to learn it had been confined to the Egyptian cattle and nothing had been lost among the Israelites.

Millions died of the Black plague in Europe, but it was almost unknown in Jewish communities, largely as a result of their hygiene and sanitation efforts. The Jews were accused of having “witched” the other people and were often attacked and killed. Even today, people usually blame others for their problems and attempt to punish them. Pharaoh blamed the Jews and refused to allow them to go.

“And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh. And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 9:8-9)

Pharaoh had been warned what would happen if the people were not allowed to go, but refused to free them after the fact. God directed Moses to just take handfuls of ashes and throw them into the air where Pharaoh could see him. Those ashes would cause boils on every person or animal they touched. The boils would develop an infectious core which would swella dn burst spreading the infection to other areas.

“And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast. And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians. “ (Exodus 9:10-11)

As a teenager, I developed a boil on my shoulder. It was tremendously painful making it difficult to use my left arm. It also erupted staining my shirt with blood and yellow pus. I have no difficulty understanding why the Magicians could not stand before Moses. Both the pain and the embarrassment would be almost unbearable.

“And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses.” (Exodus 9:12)

Used to always having his own way, Pharaoh resented being told he had to obey someone else. It is not surprising that the same term mad was used for being angry as for being crazy. When people allow their anger to control them, they often act as if they were insane, and totally without thought. They literally allow Satan to take control of their mind. As his resentment grew, Pharaoh became increasingly angry at Israel and Moses, and more determined not to yield to God, whatever the cost.