Some of those who come to a saving relationship with Christ will tell stories of how everything fell apart around them. All the things they trusted betrayed them. Their idols proved worthless, and the only One remaining was Jesus. His faithfulness, love, and power changed them.
Yahweh had requested that Pharaoh let His people go into the desert for a time of worship, but Pharaoh refused. Yahweh then began a process of exposing the inability of the gods of Egypt to stand against His power. Moses spoke, and his words came true, and the people of Egypt suffered under the judgment of Yahweh, and Pharaoh was incapable of doing anything to stop the plague or bring relief.
The people of Egypt worshiped Pharaoh as a god, but he was not worthy. He asked Moses and Aaron to appeal to Yahweh to remove the plague’s effects, or he tried to make compromises, and he continually hardened his heart. He refused to repent and recognize Yahweh as the true God above all, worthy of devotion and obedience.
Through Moses, Yahweh told Pharaoh he was being arrogant (9:17). Yahweh had demonstrated clearly His power over Pharaoh and Egypt, and Pharaoh was heaping suffering upon suffering for his people and himself by his refusal to repent. Pharaoh declared Yahweh as righteous and his people and himself as guilty (8:27), but he would not repent.
God is above all. He does not compromise His standards. He deserves the declaration of the mouth and the devotion of the heart. Praise Him for His supremacy and walk in faithfulness through His Spirit.
