Exodus 9:27, 10:9
Pharaoh, aware of the inability of his magicians and gods to save him from the penalty of his injustices to God’s people, “called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.” Yet it is plain that while he owned his guilt there was no real change of heart in him; rather it was in fear of further harm, as evident from his words: “Intreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer.” Moses promised a respite from the storm. It would be the LORD’S power that would do it and a further reminder “that the earth is the LORD’S.”
Twice before Pharaoh had promised Moses to let the people go and twice he had broken his promise. Moses was not to be deceived again by the renewed pledge to let Israel go, and said to Pharaoh, “But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the LORD God.” verse 30. True enough! “When Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants... Neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the LORD had spoken by Moses.” The psalmist exclaimed: “Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee” and it was to be a perpetual reminder to future generations of Israel that God’s signs wrought among the Egyptians would thus speak. The continuing wrath of the king would bring forth the display of God’s power, that Israel might know, He told Moses, that “I am the LORD.” chapter 10:2.
Again God sent Moses to Pharaoh and the message was given: “How long wilt thou refuse to humble thy. self?... if thou refuse to let My people go, behold, tomorrow will j bring the locusts into thy coast” Moses did not await an answer, but “turned himself and went out from Pharaoh.”
The threat of the locusts to eat what remained from the hail, brought Pharaoh’s servants to their senses. They were wiser than their ruler. Pharaoh was so blinded by anger that he could not see the folly of his continued resistance. “How long shall this man be a snare unto us?” they said to him. “Let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?”
This was a bold appeal to the king yet indicated the desperation of these men, following the repeated evidence of God’s hand against them. Pharaoh, possibly fearing that the whole nation would rise up against him, yielded to their pleading. “And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh: and he said unto them, Go, serve the LORD your God: but who are they that shall go? And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks, and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the LORD.”
What an eloquent reply was thus given to the king’s question. Moses’ boldness was proof enough that he had no doubt that God would fully deliver His people without reservation. No compromise would do. Their object was “to hold a feast unto the LORD” and the whole company must take part in it.
ML 12/08/1968