Exodus 7:14
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Pharaoh's heart is unyielding; he refuses to let the people go.
Then the LORD said to Moses
This phrase underscores the direct communication between God and Moses, a central theme in the narrative of Exodus. The Hebrew word for "LORD" is "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God, emphasizing His covenant relationship with Israel. This divine communication highlights God's active role in the unfolding events and His sovereign authority over the situation. Historically, this interaction sets the stage for the plagues, demonstrating God's power and His commitment to liberating His people.

Pharaoh’s heart is stubborn
The Hebrew word for "stubborn" is "kaved," which can also mean "heavy" or "hardened." This description of Pharaoh's heart is significant, as it reflects his resistance to God's command. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the heart was seen as the center of will and decision-making. Pharaoh's stubbornness is not just a personal trait but a spiritual condition that opposes God's will. This phrase foreshadows the ongoing struggle between God's purposes and human obstinacy, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative.

he refuses to let the people go
This phrase captures the core conflict of the Exodus story: the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. The Hebrew verb "refuses" (ma'en) indicates a deliberate and conscious decision by Pharaoh to oppose God's command. This refusal sets the stage for the dramatic series of plagues that follow, each designed to demonstrate God's power and compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites. The historical context of Egyptian slavery and the Israelites' cry for deliverance highlight the significance of this moment as a pivotal point in God's redemptive plan for His people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who is orchestrating the deliverance of His people from Egypt.

2. Moses
The chosen leader and prophet of Israel, tasked with confronting Pharaoh and leading the Israelites out of bondage.

3. Pharaoh
The ruler of Egypt, whose heart is hardened against the will of God, refusing to release the Israelites.

4. Egypt
The land where the Israelites are enslaved, representing a place of oppression and idolatry.

5. The Israelites
God's chosen people, who are suffering under Egyptian bondage and awaiting deliverance.
Teaching Points
The Sovereignty of God
God's control over the events in Egypt demonstrates His ultimate authority over nations and rulers.

The Danger of a Hardened Heart
Pharaoh's stubbornness serves as a warning against resisting God's will and the consequences of a hardened heart.

God's Patience and Justice
Despite Pharaoh's repeated refusals, God gives multiple opportunities for repentance, showcasing His patience and justice.

The Role of Obedience in Deliverance
Moses' obedience to God's command is crucial in the unfolding of God's plan for Israel's deliverance.

Faith in God's Promises
The Israelites' situation reminds believers to trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem dire.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the hardening of Pharaoh's heart illustrate the balance between divine sovereignty and human responsibility?

2. In what ways can we identify and address areas of stubbornness in our own hearts to avoid resisting God's will?

3. How does the account of Pharaoh and the plagues encourage us to trust in God's timing and justice in our own lives?

4. What lessons can we learn from Moses' obedience and faithfulness in the face of opposition and seemingly insurmountable challenges?

5. How can we apply the warnings against hardening our hearts found in Hebrews 3:7-8 and Psalm 95:8 to our daily walk with God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 4:21
This verse introduces the concept of God hardening Pharaoh's heart, setting the stage for the events in Exodus 7:14.

Romans 9:17-18
Paul references Pharaoh to illustrate God's sovereignty and purpose in hardening hearts for His glory.

Hebrews 3:7-8
The writer warns believers not to harden their hearts as in the rebellion, drawing a parallel to Pharaoh's stubbornness.

Psalm 95:8
This Psalm echoes the warning against hardening one's heart, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God.
The Great ConflictH.T. Robjohns Exodus 7:1-25
The Lord, He is GodG.A. Goodhart Exodus 7:1-25
The Rod Turned into a SerpentJ. Orr Exodus 7:8-14
Opportunity in Christian ServiceJ. S. Exell, M. A.Exodus 7:14-25
Superstitions Respecting the NileT. S. Millington.Exodus 7:14-25
The First Plague: the Water Turned to BloodD. Young Exodus 7:14-25
The Nile Turned into BloodJ. Orr Exodus 7:14-25
The River Changed into BloodJ. S. Exell, M. A.Exodus 7:14-25
The River Turned into BloodJ. S. Exell, M. A.Exodus 7:14-25
The River Which was Turned into BloodA. McAuslane, D. D.Exodus 7:14-25
The Water Turned into BloodJ. Urquhart Exodus 7:14-25
People
Aaron, Egyptians, Israelites, Moses, Pharaoh
Places
Egypt, Nile River
Topics
Aaron, Hardened, Heart, Pharaoh, Pharaoh's, Refused, Refuses, Refuseth, Stubborn, Unchanged, Unyielding
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 7:14

     5009   conscience, nature of
     5016   heart, fallen and redeemed

Exodus 7:8-24

     5593   trial

Exodus 7:14-20

     4512   staff

Exodus 7:14-21

     7318   blood, symbol of guilt

Library
The History of the Prophetic Sermons, Epistles, and Apocalypses
[Sidenote: Real character and aims of the prophets] To understand and rightly interpret the prophetic writings of the Old Testament it is necessary to cast aside a false impression as to the character of the prophets which is widely prevalent. They were not foretellers, but forth-tellers. Instead of being vague dreamers, in imagination living far in the distant future, they were most emphatically men of their own times, enlightened and devoted patriots, social and ethical reformers, and spiritual
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

Letter Lxxxv. To Paulinus.
Paulinus had asked Jerome two questions, (1) how can certain passages of scripture (Exod. vii. 13; Rom. ix. 16) be reconciled with Free Will? and (2) Why are the children of believers said to be holy (1 Cor. vii. 14) apart from baptismal grace? For the first of these questions Jerome refers Paulinus to his version (newly made) of Origen's treatise, On First Principles. For the second he quotes the explanation of Tertullian. Written in 400 a.d. 1. Your words urge me to write to you but your eloquence
St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome

The Hardening in the Sacred Scripture.
"He hath hardened their heart."-- John xii. 40. The Scripture teaches positively that the hardening and "darkening of their foolish heart" is a divine, intentional act. This is plainly evident from God's charge to Moses concerning the king of Egypt: "Thou shalt speak all that I command thee; and I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh shall not harken unto you, and I will lay My hand upon Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity Paul's Care and Prayer for the Church.
Text: Ephesians 3, 13-21. 13. Wherefore I ask that ye may not faint at my tribulations for you, which are your glory. 14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 and that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be strong
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Exposition of Chap. Iii. (ii. 28-32. )
Ver. 1. "And it shall come to pass, afterwards, I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions." The communication of the Spirit of God was the constant prerogative of the Covenant-people. Indeed, the very idea of such a people necessarily requires it. For the Spirit of God is the only inward bond betwixt Him and that which is created; a Covenant-people, therefore, without such an inward
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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