Exodus 9:35: “So Pharaoh’s heart was hard and he would not let the Israelites go, just as the Lord had said through Moses.”
Extended Explanation
Exodus 9:35 summarizes the conclusion of the seventh plague—the devastating hailstorm that God sent upon Egypt. Despite the destruction and the temporary relief that Pharaoh experienced when the storm ceased, his heart remained hard. He refused to let the Israelites go, continuing his pattern of stubbornness and defiance against God’s commands. This verse highlights the fulfillment of God’s warning through Moses, demonstrating that God’s words and judgments are always fulfilled. Pharaoh’s refusal to change, even after witnessing God’s power, shows the depth of his rebellion and the seriousness of a hardened heart.
Historical Context
The historical context of this verse is within the larger story of the ten plagues in Egypt, where God was compelling Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery. The seventh plague, a massive hailstorm, had just wreaked havoc on Egypt’s land, crops, and livestock. Pharaoh, overwhelmed by the devastation, had asked Moses to pray for the storm to stop, seemingly offering to let the Israelites go. However, as soon as the immediate threat was removed, Pharaoh reneged on his promise. Exodus 9:35 emphasizes that this outcome was exactly as God had foretold through Moses, reinforcing the inevitability of God’s plans despite human resistance.
Theological Implications
Theologically, Exodus 9:35 teaches about the consequences of hardening one’s heart against God. Pharaoh’s persistent refusal to obey God’s command, even after experiencing multiple plagues, illustrates the dangers of repeated disobedience. This verse underscores the concept of divine sovereignty—God’s will cannot be thwarted, and His words are always fulfilled. It also highlights the human tendency to resist God’s authority, especially when it conflicts with personal desires or power. Pharaoh’s hard heart serves as a warning to anyone who might be tempted to ignore or resist God’s will, reminding us that continued defiance only leads to greater judgment and separation from God.
Literary Analysis
Literarily, Exodus 9:35 functions as a conclusion to the narrative of the seventh plague while setting the stage for the continuation of the story. The verse is concise, summarizing Pharaoh’s reaction and reinforcing the theme of a hardened heart. The phrase “just as the Lord had said through Moses” emphasizes the fulfillment of God’s word, underscoring the reliability and authority of God’s pronouncements. The repetition of Pharaoh’s hardened heart throughout the narrative builds tension, highlighting the ongoing conflict between Pharaoh’s will and God’s command. This verse serves as a pivotal moment in the larger narrative, showing that despite the escalating severity of the plagues, Pharaoh’s resistance persists.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- Proverbs 28:14 – “Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.”
- Hebrews 3:12-13 – “See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”
- Romans 9:17-18 – “For Scripture says to Pharaoh: ‘I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.’ Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.”
- Isaiah 6:10 – “Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For today’s Christian, Exodus 9:35 serves as a warning about the dangers of resisting God’s will. It challenges believers to examine their own hearts for areas where they might be hardening themselves against God’s guidance. This verse also emphasizes the importance of trusting in God’s word and recognizing that His plans will always come to pass, regardless of human resistance. It calls Christians to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading and to respond with obedience and humility, rather than stubbornness and defiance. This verse reminds believers that persistent disobedience can lead to a hardened heart, making it increasingly difficult to respond to God’s call.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
This verse, while highlighting Pharaoh’s hardened heart, also reflects God’s love and patience. Despite Pharaoh’s repeated defiance, God continued to give him opportunities to repent and release the Israelites. God’s love is evident in His desire for Pharaoh to change, even though He knew Pharaoh would ultimately refuse. This verse shows that God’s love does not negate His justice—He is both loving and righteous, providing opportunities for repentance while also carrying out His judgments when people persist in their rebellion. God’s love is patient, but it also respects human freedom, allowing people to choose their path, even when that path leads to judgment.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Exodus 9:35 connects to Jesus Christ in that Jesus came to offer a way out of the cycle of sin and hard-heartedness that Pharaoh exemplifies. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus provides a path to repentance and a softened heart. Where Pharaoh’s heart was hardened against God’s will, Jesus invites all to come to Him with soft, receptive hearts. Jesus warned against the dangers of a hardened heart and called people to respond to God’s love with faith and obedience. His teachings and sacrifice offer the ultimate solution to the problem of sin and rebellion, providing a way for hearts to be transformed and aligned with God’s will.
Relevant Scriptures:
- Mark 3:5 – “He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.”
- Ezekiel 36:26 – “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”
- Matthew 13:15 – “For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.”
- Romans 2:5 – “But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.”
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How does this verse challenge you to examine areas of your life where you might be resisting God’s will?
- What steps can you take to ensure that your heart remains soft and responsive to God’s guidance?
- How does understanding the dangers of a hardened heart influence your approach to obedience and repentance?
- What does this verse teach you about the importance of trusting in God’s word and recognizing the inevitability of His plans?
- How can you apply the lessons from this verse to grow in your relationship with Jesus and avoid the pitfalls of stubbornness and defiance?