Free Republic

Moses has demonstrated the signs Pharaoh demanded of him as a messenger of G-d. Several of the destined ten plagues have already struck Egypt and the stubborn king is prepared to bargain with Moses. "Go bring offerings to your G-d in the land (Egypt),"1 he proposes. Moses refuses. Israel must take a three-day journey into the desert there to worship G-d. The three-day journey is repeated a number of times in the Exodus account. Why wasn't Pharaoh's reasonable offer acceptable to Moses? Moses had not yet demanded the unconditional freedom from slavery -- that thought had not even been broached...

The slavery in Egypt is approaching its final stages. The ten plagues are beginning to descend upon a hapless Egypt. Though Pharaoh's reactions are not spontaneous -- his reversals and broken promises were foreordained -- still, men of free and not pre-determined will, often emulate him. It was after the second plague, Pharaoh had assured Moses that Israel would be freed, and the plague was in fact lifted. "But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart"1 and repudiated his pledge. His promises were forgotten when the pressure was removed. Religion and G-d are frequently kept...