The Pulpit Commentary — Exodus — Volume 1 — Section 240

Vers. 7-21.-The pl,a,gue of loeusts. Of the two principal terms used to denote "hardening," one means "to strengthen, or make firm," the other, " to make heavy, or obtuse." It is the latter of these (usod also in eh. viii. 15, 32; ix. 7) which is used in eh. ix. 34, and eh. x. 1. The growing obtuseness of Pharaoh's mind is very apparent from the narrative. He is losing the power of right judgment. He began by hardening himself (ma.king his heart strong and firm) against Jehovah, and he is reaping the penalty in a blinded understanding. This obtuseness shows itself in various ways, notably in the want of unity in his conduct. He is like a man at bay, who feels that he is powerless to resist, but cannot bring himself to yield. His power of self-control is leaving him, and his action, in consequence, consists of a succession of mad rushes, 00w in one direction, now in another. External influences-the remonstrance of courtiers, the terrors occasioned by the plagues-produce immediate effects upon him ; but the recoil of pride and rage, which speedily supervenes, carries him further from reason than ever. Now he is suing in pitiable self-humiliation for forgiveness; again he is furious and unrestrained in his defiance. Passion is usurping the place of reason, and drives him to and fro with ungovernable violence. We are reminded of the heathen saying, "Whom the gods wish to destroy, they first madden;" but it is not God who is destroying Phare.oh; it is Pharaoh who is destroying himself. If God maddens.him, it is by plying him with the influences which ought to have had a directly opposite effect. Pharaoh., like every other sinner, must bear the responsibility cf his own ruin. L THE INTEBVENTION OF PlliRAOH'S SERVANTS (ver. 7). These may be the same scrrants who up to this time had hardened themselves (eh. ix. 34). If so, they now see the folly of further contest. More and more Pharaoh is being left to stand alone. First, his magicians gave in (eh. viii. 19), then a portion of his servants (eh. ix. 20); now, apparently, his courtiers are deserting him in a body. It shows the indomitable stubbornness of the king, that under these circumstances he should still hold out. Observe, 1. 'l.'he subjects of a government have often a truer perception of what is needed for the safety of a country than their rulers and leaders. Pharaoh's servants saw the full gravity of the situation, to which the monarch was so blind. "Knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?" Rulers are frequently blinded by their pride, passion, prejudices, and private wishes, to the real necessities of a political situation. 2. Hardening against God makes the heart indifferent to the interests of others. The nu.godly mind is at bottom selfish. We have seen already (eh. v.) to what lengths in cruelty ungodly men will go in pursuit of their personal ends. We have also seen that hardening at the centre of the nature is bound to spread till·it embraces the wholJ Cll. X. 1-20.) THE BOOK OF EXODUS. 231