Changing Pharoah's Mind

[Tom Tighe]

The Exodus plagues are one of the most well known parts of the Old Testament. Why did God harden Pharaoh's heart and cause so much suffering? I believe God wanted to make a strong enough show of force that it would be indelibly etched into the Hebrew culture and the world's history. It is curious to me that Moses wasn't really honest with Pharaoh about his intentions. Everyone, especially Pharaoh, knew that if the entire Jewish nation with all their belongings and livestock left, they weren't coming back after a week of worship. I understand Pharaoh's reluctance to lose the engine of his economy (slaves). His faith that he was a demigod, or at least in charge and in control of the nation, must have motivated his hard heart. Like so many throughout history in this world, faith only comes when one's pride and worldly expectations are crushed and the need for God cannot be avoided.