Read Exodus 9.
The LORD continued to respond to Pharaoh's question: "Who is the LORD that I should obey him?" (5:2)
The Egyptians were deeply religious, worshiping a multitude of so-called gods. But they refused to acknowledge the one and only true God. The ten plagues became the answer to that spiritual challenge.
Death of domestic animals: Ptah, Hathor, Mnevis, Amon were
gods associated with bulls and cows.
Boils: The Egyptians considered Sekhmet to be a goddess of
epidemics. Serapis and Imhotep were the
so-called gods of healing.
Hail and Fire: Nut was a sky goddess; Seth and Isis
agricultural deities; Shu, the god of the atmosphere.
What will it take to bring the king of Egypt to acknowledge the truth? Moses said, "You are still exalting yourself..." (v.17) The solution would not be found in religious debate or apologetics. The root of this problem was the man's pride and smug rebellion against the LORD. Pharaoh defied God and thought he not only knew better but that he could somehow get away with rejecting God.
After the plague of hail, Pharaoh declared: "This time I have sinned; the LORD is right, and I and my people are in the wrong." (v.27). However, acknowledging sin is not the same as repentance. Once the pressure was off, Pharaoh refused to obey God. Repentance of sin involves a turning from the wrong to doing what is right. His failure to obey the LORD proved the insincerity of his words.
His hard heart brought only more misery and pain on himself and all those around him. God's purpose was to demonstrate "that there is none like me in all the earth." (v.14) He alone is worthy of our worship and our obedience to His word.
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