“But I will make Pharaoh’s heart stubborn so I can multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 7:3)
Have you ever read through the plagues and ended up wondering over and over why the scriptures say God hardened Pharaoh’s heart? What would be the purpose behind God’s sending such devastating plagues among a mix of people – the Egyptians and the Hebrews?
Undoubtably, the people of the time had no idea of the greatness of God and His mighty hand. If they had heard, the stories seemed separated and distant from them. Certainly they knew the story of Joseph – one of their own who had saved Egypt. Yet here they were. Slaves. Generational slaves. Slaves in a land where false gods were worshiped and the Pharaoh himself, was considered a god.
Had God forgotten them? Or had they forgotten God? Had they not heard of the 400 years of slavery that had been predicted to their ancestor Jacob? Had they heard, but forgotten – dismissed it – due to their present circumstances?
Whatever the state of their hearts and minds were, change was on the horizon. God revealed His agenda to Moses: “When I raise my powerful hand and bring out the Israelites, the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” (Exodus 7:5) All doubts of the One true God would diminish. Power beyond anything they had seen or imagined was about to be demonstrated to them first hand.
Initially, Pharaoh’s magicians seem to be able to duplicate a few of God’s miracles. They can turn their staffs into a snake, or water to blood. But it is not long before even the magicians can no longer doubt the existence of power beyond their own. They become incredibly aware that the God of the Hebrews should be respected. “Now the LORD has caused the Egyptians to look favorably on the people of Israel. And Moses was considered a very great man in the land of Egypt, respected by Pharaoh’s officials and the Egyptian people alike.” (Exodus 11:3)
Not Pharaoh. Pharaoh does not seem pleased at all. His gods – and his very god-ship itself – seem to be in question with the people. Pharaoh’s heart remains hardened.
There was purpose in the hardened heart of this man. There was a reason for this heart of stone. God could have wiped the people of Egypt out with a plague. He didn’t. “But I have spared you for a purpose – to show you my power and to spread my fame throughout the earth.” (Exodus 9:13-16) “I’ve also done it so you can tell your children and your grandchildren about how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and about the signs I displayed among them – and so you will know that I am the LORD.” (Exodus 10:2)
Friend, there is so much more to our hurts and struggles than we realize. God’s arm is as mighty today as it was during the plagues of Egypt. He has not changed. Maybe, in ways we don’t fully see or understand, God is allowing circumstances to fall in such a way that He can best demonstrate His power – so that we can know He is the LORD, and to spread His fame throughout the earth.
Miracles still happen.
God, open our eyes to see them – for in seeing them, we catch a glimpse of You. Help us to never doubt your ability to save, or the methods You use to save us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Blessings!