Exodus 10:16-19 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you.… Dear children, when any one confesses with sincerity, "I have sinned"; when he says this to God, and not merely to man, be sure that he is never rejected. But let us observe what was wanting in the repentance of Pharaoh. 1. Belief in God, He called Him the Lord your God. He spoke of Him as of a stranger. Now, it is impossible that any person or child can love the Lord until he feels himself reconciled to Him by faith, until he can call Him the Lord my God. 2. Pharaoh had humbled himself before men, rather than before God. 3. He besought the prayers of others, instead of praying for himself. 4. He asked the forgiveness of the servants of God, instead of seeking pardon from God Himself. If he had said, like David, "I acknowledge my sin unto the Lord," he might have added like him, "And Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin." 5. Pharaoh did not concern himself about the salvation of his soul. He intreated, not that he might be delivered from sin, but only that "this death" should be taken away from him; he did not think of eternity, but only of the plague under which he was suffering. 6. Lastly, remark that the king still cherished secret designs in his heart; his submission was not unreserved. We have begun as it were to repent; but as long as we are not willing to renounce all, to follow Jesus, our repentance is of no avail. Pharaoh said, "Go ye, serve the Lord, only let your flocks and herds be stayed." His heart was not yet submissive, thus his repentance was vain. (Prof. Gaussen.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you. |
    |