As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?
As yet Pharaoh was lifting himself up in pride against God's people by refusing to let them go, still holding his exalted pride against Israel in continued resistance to what God demanded. God had kept him on his throne for this very purpose, so that plagues could be sent upon him to show that there is none like God in all the earth, to exhibit divine power, and to make God's name declared throughout the whole earth. The rebuke was spoken as part of the warning of coming hail, confronting that pride and making clear that his continued refusal was opposition to God's demand.
The hail warned of would be very grievous, unlike anything in Egypt since the nation was founded, yet the warning carried mercy in commanding that cattle and everyone in the field be gathered into houses so they would not die. That hail and storm would demonstrate that the earth and all its forces are under the command of the God of the Hebrews. In this way the word became a test of pride that revealed whose hearts were truly moved by God's wonderful dealings on behalf of His despised and cruelly entreated people, dividing those who feared the word of the Lord and hurried their servants and cattle indoors from those who, hardened like Pharaoh, left them in the field.
After the plague fell Pharaoh humbled himself, confessed that he and his people had sinned and done wrong, and asked Moses to intercede so the storm would cease. When the plague was stayed he still refused to release Israel, showing that rebellion produces further rebellion until his whole being rose up against the exhibitions of divine power.
As yet Pharaoh was lifting himself up in pride against God's people by refusing to let them go, still holding his exalted pride against Israel in continued resistance to what God demanded. God had kept him on his throne for this very purpose, so that plagues could be sent upon him to show that there is none like God in all the earth, to exhibit divine power, and to make God's name declared throughout the whole earth. The rebuke was spoken as part of the warning of coming hail, confronting that pride and making clear that his continued refusal was opposition to God's demand.
The hail warned of would be very grievous, unlike anything in Egypt since the nation was founded, yet the warning carried mercy in commanding that cattle and everyone in the field be gathered into houses so they would not die. That hail and storm would demonstrate that the earth and all its forces are under the command of the God of the Hebrews. In this way the word became a test of pride that revealed whose hearts were truly moved by God's wonderful dealings on behalf of His despised and cruelly entreated people, dividing those who feared the word of the Lord and hurried their servants and cattle indoors from those who, hardened like Pharaoh, left them in the field.
After the plague fell Pharaoh humbled himself, confessed that he and his people had sinned and done wrong, and asked Moses to intercede so the storm would cease. When the plague was stayed he still refused to release Israel, showing that rebellion produces further rebellion until his whole being rose up against the exhibitions of divine power.