A Rock & a Hard Place

"Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land. And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt." Exodus 7:2‭-‬3. Ever feel like you're getting nowhere? Like you're doing so many things, yet nothing is actually getting done? Well then, I'm sure you can relate to our friend Moses! We left off last time at a place where his confidence was being challenged. Now, God forewarned Moses that he not only had to go speak to Pharaoh with his brother Aaron, but also that God would harden Pharaoh's heart several times and not let the Hebrews out of the hand of the Egyptians that easy! It is so hard to go into a challenge knowing it will take a long time to complete-but Moses obeyed God! And remember: this is about God demonstrating His power over & over again! It's not really about Pharaoh's hardened heart! It's similar to the last lesson we learned about confidence: it's not so much about confidence in ourselves, but confidence in our miraculous God!

So Moses accepted this challenge, and he endured. Although it seemed like he was in between a "rock and a hard place," he did exactly what God asked:

"When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent."
Exodus 7:9. Just a reminder, Aaron was Moses' brother who was sent to speak for Moses, since he was still working on the confidence to speak for himself (and for God) as God asked. They both went before Pharaoh, and the first thing God asked them to do was the sign God had shown to Moses to get his attention: throw the rod on the ground, and it will become a serpent.

So, Moses & Aaron did so, but the magicians were able to pull it off too. But, Moses' serpent swallowed theirs up! Even still, God "...hardened Pharaoh's heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said." Exodus 7:13.

There are about 8 different plagues in the section I read today-and those aren't even all of them as we will see in later readings! I encourage you to read through them in detail, but today I really want to focus on the changing of Pharaoh's responses through each plague. Yes, his heart was still hardened, but there are slight signs of fear coming through as he realizes God's power:

"And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt. And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt. Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Entreat the Lord , that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the Lord." Exodus 8:6‭-‬8.

Before this, with the serpent and the water turned to blood, Pharaoh gave no thought to what was going on. He thought it would pass. This time with the frogs was different. He actually called for Moses to remove the frogs. Something was breaking through & Pharaoh was starting to get a little annoyed! Was his heart still hardened after this? Yes. BUT-don't overlook the little things! Yes these miraculous & terrible plagues are obvious signs, but getting through to Pharaoh, little by little, is a victory too (also, it's funny how the magicians brought more frogs upon themselves just to prove a point-but ya can't outdo God!).

When the lice comes, the magicians finally admit: "...This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said." Exodus 8:19.

After many more signs, the hail comes, and this time Pharaoh actually says: "And Pharaoh sent, and 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. Entreat 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." Exodus 9:27‭-‬28.

Now, his heart is still hardened after this, but look at the progress! This is a question I've had in the past: why would God harden Pharaoh's heart? Well, thinking back, Pharaoh had always been a hard man on the Hebrews. He was a cruel taskmaster. Although God was hardening his heart, Pharaoh ultimately brought that judgment upon himself.

And look at the progress of Moses! Moses eventually spoke up to Pharaoh during some of these signs in Exodus 8-9. His confidence in God strengthened as he too saw the power of God! Sometimes, it's ok to be between a rock & a hard place: because when the Rock is God, we will break through our hard places eventually!