So Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh. “All right,” he told them, “go and worship the Lord your God. But who exactly will be going with you?” Moses replied, “We will all go—young and old, our sons and daughters, and our flocks and herds. We must all join together in celebrating a festival to the Lord.” Pharaoh retorted, “The Lord will certainly need to be with you if I let you take your little ones! I can see through your evil plan. Never! Only the men may go and worship the Lord, since that is what you requested.” And Pharaoh threw them out of the palace. Exodus 10:8-11 NLT
Of course Pharaoh thought he was negotiating with Moses & Aaron! He was told that they were speaking on behalf of God, but Pharaoh, knowing all about working with deity’s, did not believe the one true God ruled and reigned over all gods. Pharaoh absolutely underestimated his position.
But, Pharaoh was a master negotiator, he didn’t get to be a demigod by being bamboozled on a deal. This was Pharaoh’s 8th round of the art of a deal. He wasn’t doing so well. He was losing the confidence of his cabinet and his people! And the losses were stacking up.
The first seven plagues (blood, frogs, lice/gnats, flies, livestock disease, boils, hail) would have caused widespread social, religious, economic, and administrative disruption in Egypt. Key effects: Agriculture & food supply, by water contamination – blood and hail would damage irrigation, & drinking water. Livestock loss cut meat, milk, draft animals and secondary products (leather, manure), harming farm productivity and food supply. Public health and labor, boils and pest plagues (lice/gnats, flies) would increase illness and reduce workforce availability for farming, construction and state projects. General fear would lower labor discipline and productivity. Economy and trade; crop and livestock losses would reduce tax revenue and surplus grain that sustained the state and enabled trade. Disruption to transport (animals and river work) and contamination of Nile-dependent activities would impede internal commerce and export of grain, papyrus, and other goods. Short-term inflation and scarcity of staples; wealthier households might hoard or suffer asset losses. Then the 8th plague would wipe out crops, which was their primary food supply. These alone would have caused a national crisis.
Yet, Pharaoh remains cool and calm, almost yielding to God’s demands. That is until he asks this question. Who exactly is going with you? “ALL OF US,” Moses told him. This God of yours must be going with you if you take the kids. Then it dawns on Pharaoh, “oh, you’re not planning to return are you?” History records that The Israelite work force was likely only 3% of the total laborers, so it was more than just “slave labor” that was affecting Pharaoh’s stubbornness. It was more about his “hard heart,” not yielding to anyone – especially to THE Lord God of all things. These plagues were systematically humiliating Pharaoh while deconstructing the entire civil and cultural ways of Egypt. It’s an absolute marvel that Egypt still exists today!
Even through all the pressures of collapsing the entire society. The Pharaoh then threw the men out of the palace. Whether it was Amenhotep II or Ramses II – they could not defy God’s will and power. Both would have been known for their rebellion against divine authority, viewing them as a symbol of corruption and pride, but that is from the biblical perspective. History records Ramses II as one of the greatest Pharaoh’s becuse of his extensive building projects, military campaigns, and a reign that lasted approximately 66 years, marking the height of Egypt’s power and glory.
When I see world leaders rising up in arrogance and stubbornness to lead out of ego and self preservation, rather than govern their people well, I see a Pharaoh’s heart, hardened and immovable. They would rather see their entire culture and identity as a people be destroyed rather than yield. Because of their hubris of power and wealth, they believe they are immortal and untouchable. Pharaoh found out he was neither.
Prayer
Dad,
I, and others have fought WITH You, struggling to do your will. But against You? Not a chance. Dumbest thing ever! Most of the time, you completely allow us to do our own thing, letting us go pretty far to try to escape your plan – enter Jonah and Moses. Then there are times when no is not an option. I do not want to find myself in that kind of situation. Your will, Your way for me – even when I don’t see or understand what You are up to. I also do not want to push against the limits of your grace and mercy. Thank you for your enduring patience towards me.