Exodus 8:11

 

In Chapter 8 of Exodus, after Pharaoh refuses again to let the Hebrews be released from their bondage in Egypt, the Chapter relates how Pharaoh is so horrified over the frogs covering the land, the Second Plague, that he beseeches Moses and Aaron pray the Lord to remove the frogs, and he would let the people go, in exchange, to offer sacrifices to the Lord.

 

These simple stories are filled with rich implications, and Jordan Peterson and Dennis Prager could better unpack these implications that I can, but I will try.

 

First, note that the Lord wants the people to be liberated because they are suffering slaves, and it could be interpreted that Yahweh loathes some humans enslaving others, and, we, born in God’s image and likeness, should libertate those that we enslave, as the Lord, Moses and Aaron worked to liberate these slaves in ancient Egypt.

 

I believe that the good deities are individualists and individuators, more than they are altruistic shepherds leading their collective herds, the human sheep. Though every individuators does secondarily act to promote the common interest and the common good.

 

A great and good deity like Yahweh is liberated by definition, so if God is liberated and is self-liberating, then we are to, in our modest way, to behave ethically and similarly, by liberating ourselves first, and then work to liberate others in the community, and refuse to let any misguided power-seeker to enslave or tyrannize us.

 

Second, Pharaoh acknowledges that the Lord is a powerful divinity, exists, is present, and bringing about terrifying, supernatural events; Yahweh is mad and punishing Pharaoh, and has power over him, even though, he, Pharaoh does not worship Yahweh.

 

As soon as the Lord removes the plague of the frogs, Pharaoh betrays the Lord again and breaks his word and will not let the people go. I am not the best or brightest person around, but I would not be so dense that, if God, talked to me directly to shape up or else, and demonstrated that De’s power in this world can go against me, I would obey God’s orders out of fear, if not noble, freely willed compliance. Pharaoh repeatedly lies to and breaks his word to God directly. That is so corrupt and self-destructive that one wonders how anyone could remain that obtuse and defiant, in light of plagues endured already.

 

Third, Moses reinforces how just but powerful Yahweh is when he addresses Pharaoh that the plague will be lifted as requested so he may learn that there is none like the Lord, our God. But Pharaoh does not learn anything. As soon as Pharaoh saw there was a respite, he became obdurate and would not listen, as God foretold.

 

I would not be playing with powerful deities, especially after giving one’s word.