Exodus 9:30 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But as for you and your servants, I know that you do not yet fear the Lord God."

NIV: But I know that you and your officials still do not fear the Lord God."

NASB: But as for you and your servants, I know that you do not yet fear the Lord God.'

CSB: But as for you and your officials, I know that you still do not fear the Lord God."

NLT: But I know that you and your officials still do not fear the Lord God.'

KJV: But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the Lord God.

NKJV: But as for you and your servants, I know that you will not yet fear the Lord God.”

Moses ends his response to Pharaoh (Exodus 9:29) with a blunt remark. Despite the Egyptian king's words, his prior stubbornness means he cannot be trusted (Exodus 8:8, 15, 25, 32). He is trying to get the hail to stop (Exodus 9:24–25), but once the danger is gone, he will still be in rebellion against God. Moses needs no supernatural powers to know this. Proverbs 9:10 says fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (cp. Proverbs 1:7; 15:33). This "fear" includes reverence and worship—not the rejection and hardened heart displayed by Pharaoh.

When Pharaoh—as predicted—goes back on his word again (Exodus 9:34–35), he will cross at least two lines. It will be the last time he controls his own "heart," still choosing stubbornness. From then on, he will be a living illustration of God's judgment (Exodus 4:21). Secondly, Pharaoh's advisors and servants begin to openly question their king's obstinate attitude (Exodus 10:7). However, their desire does not seem to be primarily for obedience, but negotiation. They see the damage to Egypt and want it to end. In this instance, like their king, his servants would also choose to be stubborn (Exodus 9:34). God offered many opportunities to repent, yet there was no positive response from the Egyptians.

Exodus 9:27–35 shows that Pharaoh is entirely to blame for his stubbornness against God. After a catastrophic seventh plague, the king claims to be convinced. He begs for the hailstorm to stop (Exodus 9:24–25). Moses agrees but is not fooled by the apparent change of heart. As soon as the hail and lightning stop, Pharaoh once again (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7) deliberately defies God. This is a point of no return (Proverbs 29:1). After this, God will ensure that Pharaoh remains obstinate (Exodus 4:21) to establish an example of divine judgment.

After four devastating plagues, Pharaoh continues to resist God's command to free the Hebrew slaves. Through Moses, the Lord sends two more: death of Egyptian livestock and an epidemic of skin lesions. Pharoah refuses to respond to the first, and God makes him stubborn after the second. This leads to the most terrifying sign yet: the seventh plague of hail and fire. Pharoah claims to repent. Yet as soon as the hail stops, he again chooses obstinance. After this, the Lord will use Pharaoh as a tool to demonstrate divine judgment.

Moses and Aaron brought the Lord's command that Pharaoh should release Hebrew slaves (Exodus 5:1–4). Over and over, Egypt's king was obstinate. This resulted in divine plagues meant to demonstrate God's power and authority (Exodus 7:20; 8:6, 17, 24). In this chapter, God sends three more disasters: a plague on livestock, an epidemic of skin sores, and an obliterating storm of hail and lightning. Pharaoh will once again choose stubbornness, passing a point of no return (Proverbs 29:1). For the remaining plagues (Exodus 10—12) and after (Exodus 14:4), Pharaoh will be a living example of the Lord's divine judgment (Exodus 4:21).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.