Pharaoh in Exodus: When the Heart Refuses to Yield

 

“When the Heart Refuses to Yield”

Text: Exodus 9:13–10:29

Introduction

Stubbornness is something we all struggle with. It may show up in our relationships, in how we handle correction, or even in our response to God. Pharaoh’s resistance in Exodus is the ultimate picture of a hardened heart. Through nine devastating plagues, God demonstrated His supreme power—not just over Pharaoh, but over Egypt’s gods as well. Yet Pharaoh still refused to yield.

What can we learn from this? Let’s walk through Exodus 9:13 to 10:29, and consider:

• How successful were the plagues in changing Pharaoh?

• What false gods were defeated?

• And how should we guard our own hearts today?

God’s Warning and Ultimate Claim (Exodus 9:13–21)

God tells Moses to go early to Pharaoh and say, “Let my people go, that they may serve me.” But this time, God adds something more intense:

“For this time I will send all my plagues on you yourself, and on your servants and your people, so that you may know that there is none like Me in all the earth.” (Exodus 9:14)

God is not simply trying to free Israel—He is revealing Himself to Egypt. He is confronting the false gods and the arrogance of Pharaoh head-on.

Pharaoh is told that if he does not obey, a hailstorm like none before will fall on Egypt. God even warns the Egyptians to bring in their livestock and servants. Some do listen—perhaps some hearts are starting to soften.

The Plague of Hail: Judgment on the Sky Gods (Exodus 9:22–35)

The hailstorm comes with fire flashing in the sky, destroying everything not sheltered. This is a direct blow to gods like:

• Nut, goddess of the sky

• Shu, god of air and wind

• Isis, goddess of life and protection

• Seth, god of storms and disorder

Even more directly, this plague challenges Pharaoh himself, who was considered divine, with power over nature. But Pharaoh is powerless here.

Moment of Hope?
Pharaoh says, “This time I have sinned... The LORD is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong.” (9:27)
It sounds promising—but as soon as the hail stops, Pharaoh hardens his heart again.

The Plague of Locusts: Devouring Egypt’s Hopes (Exodus 10:1–20)

God sends Moses back, telling him that He is using Pharaoh’s stubbornness to display His power for generations to come. The locusts swarm in, devouring what the hail left behind. This attack devastates Egypt’s food supply.

This challenges gods like:

• Osiris, god of agriculture and the underworld

• Neper, god of grain

• Anubis, god of the fields and protector of crops

Pharaoh’s officials are now pleading: “How long shall this man be a snare to us? Let the men go!”
Pharaoh finally agrees—to a point—but when Moses insists that all the people go (men, women, children), Pharaoh snaps again and drives them out.

The Plague of Darkness: Defeating Ra Himself (Exodus 10:21–29)

The ninth plague brings thick darkness for three days. No one can see or move—except in the homes of the Israelites.

This is a direct assault on the greatest god of all—Ra, the sun god, considered the father of Pharaoh and the source of all life.
Also defeated are:

• Horus, god of the rising sun

• Thoth, god of wisdom, linked with the moon and order

This is not just about the absence of light. It’s about the collapse of Egypt’s entire belief system. Pharaoh’s god—Ra—has failed him. Yet still, he does not relent.

He tries again to negotiate: “Go, serve the LORD... only leave your flocks and herds.”
Moses replies, “Not a hoof shall be left behind.”
Pharaoh explodes in anger: “Get away from me! Take care never to see my face again!”
Moses responds, “As you say! I will not see your face again.”

So, Did the Plagues Work?

In terms of external pressure—yes, the plagues brought Egypt to its knees. Crops were gone, livestock dead, the sky dark, people terrified. Egypt’s gods were silenced. Pharaoh’s pride was exposed.

But in terms of internal transformation—no. Pharaoh's repentance was shallow, conditional, temporary. He was sorry for the pain, but not for the rebellion. He wanted relief, not relationship.

Lessons for Us Today

God Is Supreme—There Is No Rival

Just as He defeated the gods of Egypt, God shows that He alone is Creator, Sustainer, and Lord. No philosophy, no nation, no idol—whether money, status, or self—can stand against Him.

A Hardened Heart Grows Harder with Time

Every time Pharaoh said “No” to God, his heart calcified further. When we resist God’s Word, we are not neutral—we are training our hearts to reject Him more deeply.

“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…” (Hebrews 3:15)

External Pressure Can’t Produce Lasting Change

Pharaoh changed his mind out of fear, not faith. True repentance is not just saying sorry—it’s surrendering to God. Without that, even miracles won’t change a person.

What About Your Heart?

God’s power was undeniable. But Pharaoh’s pride was unyielding. As we stand before the same God today, we must ask:

• Are we resisting Him in some area?

• Are we more concerned with relief than obedience?

• Will we humble ourselves now—or wait for circumstances to break us?

Let us not be like Pharaoh, waiting until it's too late to respond. Let us be like those who, even in Egypt, saw the signs and listened—who found life by trusting the one true God.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God…” (1 Peter 5:6)

Amen.

More: Sabbath School EXODUS Lesson 4 - The Plagues