Exodus 5 opens with Pharaoh’s insolent speech. The king of Egypt questions the supremacy of God: “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice to let Israel go?” (Ex 5:2). He also asserts himself in the place of God when he declares, “Thus says Pharaoh,” (Ex 5:10) an intentional mockery of “Thus says the Lord.” Pharaoh believes God is nothing, insults His words, and claims to be divine.
In part 1 of this series, God established a theology of salvation in Exodus 1-2 by raising up a deliverer and initiating deliverance. In the following chapters, we observe God’s revelation of this salvation. The details of the text present rich theology ingrained into these familiar passages.
Pharaoh Attempts to Steal God’s Glory
Exodus 5 opens with Pharaoh’s insolent speech. The king of Egypt questions the supremacy of God: “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice to let Israel go?” (Ex 5:2). He also asserts himself in the place of God when he declares, “Thus says Pharaoh,” (Ex 5:10) an intentional mockery of “Thus says the Lord.” Pharaoh believes God is nothing, insults His words, and claims to be divine.
In his audacity, Pharaoh commands, “let the labor be heavier on the men” (Ex 5:9). The word for “let the labor be heavier” is the word “glory.” Pharaoh is essentially saying, “Let me demonstrate my glory by placing Israel under hard labor.” With these arrogant words, Pharaoh is both stealing God’s glory and disputing His authority.
Pharaoh repeats this offense when he hardens his heart. The word used for “harden” is the same word “glorify” (כבד). The use of this word exhibits the attempts of Pharaoh to harbor his own glory rather than attribute glory to God. God has once again been challenged by Pharaoh, as he arrogantly asserts that he deserves all glory.
God Reveals His Power
In response to this affront, God reveals Himself more fully. With plagues He devastates Egypt, the world’s first superpower.
These plagues unveil His glory and supremacy in the following ways:
1. The plagues display God as Creator.
Why are there ten plagues? The number “ten” points back to the creation account in Genesis. When God creates the world, He speaks ten times (Genesis 1:3–30). Another set of “ten” in Exodus confirms this association. The ten commandments are called in Hebrew literally the ten “words,” or ten “speakings.” This again refers to the ten times God spoke in creation. The ten plagues parallel this logic. They show in sum that God is Creator; He is absolutely supreme.
2. The plagues establish the lordship of God over the world.
The plagues can be arranged in sets of three. Each set of three plagues emphasizes an aspect of creation. There is water, land, and sky.
God turns the Nile to blood: He owns the water.
God sends hail and fire upon the earth: He owns the land.
God turns the light to darkness: He owns the sky.
The final plague is against Pharaoh himself: He owns all rulers.
With these acts, God shows that every component of creation belongs to Him alone.
3. These plagues prove God’s commitment to His people.
Why does God attack the Nile? It should not be forgotten that Pharaoh commanded the Egyptians to cast their baby boys into the Nile. Thus, God targets the Nile specifically. Why does He take the firstborn children? Remember that Egypt took the baby boys from God’s people. Why did God swarm the water with frogs? Frogs were the mascot of midwives in Egypt.
