Exodus: A Group StudySample

WEEK 6: RHYTHMS AND REMINDERS

The final plague descends on the Egyptians, killing the firstborn and driving the Israelites out of the land. The institution of Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the consecration of the firstborn is designed to regularly remind Israel of Yahweh’s providence over his people. They are reminders that the greatest enemies of God’s people are often not abject wickedness or other nations, but their apathy and forgetfulness.

What is this passage saying?

Yahweh threatens Pharaoh with a final plague – the death of all the firstborn of Egypt. Pharaoh again refuses to let Israel go, and God gives him over to his hardened and wicked heart.

What is this passage teaching?

A repetitive part of the plague narrative is Pharaoh’s increasingly hardened heart. At the onset of the plagues, it was Pharaoh who hardened his heart against Yahweh and His commands (8:15, 32). However, beginning with the sixth plague onward, Yahweh himself hardens Pharaoh’s heart (Exodus 9:12; 10:20, 27; 11:10). How can Pharaoh be responsible if Yahweh is hardening his heart? Two truths help to navigate this question. First, Pharaoh has a long track record of hardening his own heart. The legacy of brutal slavery and genocidal population control is enough to sear any conscience. Pharaoh did not come to the table with a neutral blank slate – his character and disposition regularly cultivated incredible sinfulness. Second, Yahweh gave him multiple opportunities to repent and obey, but Pharaoh refused. The Nile turning to blood, frogs, gnats, flies, and the death of cattle (Exodus 7:14-9:7) were all opportunities for Pharaoh to repent.

How do I respond?

As you reflect on Pharaoh’s hardened heart, it is important to remember that there is no person too wicked to save. Jesus’ particular attention to tax collectors, prostitutes, and sinners demonstrates God’s desires to see all come to repentance. Hebrews warns believers about being “hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13). If there are repetitive patterns of sin in your life, take time to repent today! You can trust in faith that God will forgive and cleanse those who confess their sins (1 John 1:9). As we focus on rhythms and reminders this week, plan to build consistent confession and repentance into your life. Regular confession and repentance invite you to remember the seriousness of sin, but even more so the loyal love and grace of God.