Pharaoh found out that not one of the Israelites’ animals had died. Yet, Pharaoh continued to be stubborn and would not let the people go.
“God is wise in heart and mighty in power. Who could oppose him and win?
I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go, even if he is forced to.
Yet, Pharaoh continued to be stubborn and would not listen to them, as the Lord had predicted.
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh is being stubborn. He refuses to let my people go.
Yet, this time, too, Pharaoh was stubborn and did not let the people go.
But the Lord made Pharaoh stubborn, so he wouldn’t listen to Moses and Aaron, as the Lord had predicted to Moses.
Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Take a handful of ashes from a kiln, and have Moses throw them up in the air as Pharaoh watches.
A person who will not bend after many warnings will suddenly be broken beyond repair.
I know that you are stubborn. Like iron, you are hardheaded. Like bronze, nothing gets through your thick skull.
But when he became so arrogant and conceited that he became overconfident, he was removed from the royal throne. His honor was taken away from him.
Therefore, if God wants to be kind to anyone, he will be. If he wants to make someone stubborn, he will.