Topical Bible: Afflictions and Adversities: Pharaoh

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Pharaoh, the title given to the ancient rulers of Egypt, is a central figure in the biblical narrative of the Israelites' bondage and subsequent exodus from Egypt. The account of Pharaoh is a profound illustration of afflictions and adversities, both for the Israelites and for Pharaoh himself, as he encounters the power of the God of Israel.

The Oppression of the Israelites

The afflictions of the Israelites under Pharaoh began when a new king arose in Egypt who did not know Joseph (Exodus 1:8). Fearing the growing population of the Israelites, Pharaoh subjected them to harsh labor, building the store cities of Pithom and Rameses (Exodus 1:11). Despite the oppression, the Israelites continued to multiply, prompting Pharaoh to intensify their suffering by commanding the Hebrew midwives to kill all newborn Hebrew boys (Exodus 1:16). When this plan failed, Pharaoh ordered all his people to throw every Hebrew boy into the Nile (Exodus 1:22).

Moses and the Plagues

God raised up Moses to deliver His people from their afflictions. Moses, once a prince of Egypt, returned to confront Pharaoh with the command from God: "Let My people go, so that they may worship Me" (Exodus 7:16). Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he refused, leading to a series of plagues that afflicted Egypt.

The plagues were a direct challenge to the Egyptian gods and demonstrated the sovereignty of the God of Israel. The Nile turned to blood, frogs overran the land, gnats and flies tormented the people, livestock died, boils afflicted the Egyptians, hail destroyed crops, locusts consumed what was left, darkness covered the land, and finally, the death of the firstborn struck every Egyptian household (Exodus 7-12). Each plague increased in severity, showcasing God's power and Pharaoh's obstinacy.

Pharaoh's Hardened Heart

Pharaoh's repeated refusal to release the Israelites, despite the mounting adversities, is a key theme in the narrative. The Bible states that God hardened Pharaoh's heart (Exodus 9:12), a concept that has been the subject of much theological discussion. This hardening served to demonstrate God's power and to fulfill His purposes, as stated in Exodus 9:16 : "But I have 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."

The Exodus and Pharaoh's Pursuit

After the final plague, Pharaoh relented and allowed the Israelites to leave Egypt (Exodus 12:31). However, his heart was again hardened, and he pursued the Israelites with his army (Exodus 14:5-9). This pursuit led to the climactic event at the Red Sea, where God parted the waters for the Israelites to cross on dry ground. When Pharaoh's army followed, the waters returned, drowning the Egyptians (Exodus 14:26-28).

Lessons from Pharaoh's Adversities

The account of Pharaoh is a powerful testament to the consequences of pride and resistance to God's will. Pharaoh's afflictions were both a judgment and a means to reveal God's glory. The narrative serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His promises and His ability to deliver His people from oppression, no matter how insurmountable the adversities may seem.

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Exodus 8:19
Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he listened not to them; as the LORD had said.
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Exodus 9:30-34
But as for you and your servants, I know that you will not yet fear the LORD God.
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Exodus 14:5-9
And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?
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Library

Christian Behavior
... is again that they have run through so many trials, afflictions, and adversities,
even because ... Solomon and Pharaoh's daughter had the art of thus doing, as ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christian behavior.htm

part ii
... The work of cleansing the heart is difficult, because it is connected with great
privations and afflictions; and, therefore, the reward is great. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm