Pharaoh doubles down

 Welcome to the Daily Bible Chapter. My name is James Leroy Wilson and I invite you to join me as we discover new insights and new perspectives from a very old book.

EXODUS 5

I'm reading Young's Literal Translation (YLT) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

When authorities are asked to ease off on the burdens they impose, or are asked to grant greater liberty, they often double-down in the opposite direction. In the United States during the 2007-08 and 2011-12 U.S. Presidential election campaign cycle, candidates of both major parties called for an end to war and the post-9/11 surveillance powers. After they received some positive publicity, they were marginalized, while the leadership of both parties started more wars and expanded surveillance. 

(It's not just political authority where I see this doubling-down. When business practices or cultural norms are called out as racist, defenders of it are at first offended by the accusations but then become more brazenly racist. Or, so it seems during the social media age. The same goes for people accused of sexism and homophobia. They act like they're the victims.)

Leaders don't believe they're doing anything wrong, and lash out at the people making the requests or complaints. And this is Pharaoh's response to Moses and Aaron. 

Pharaoh no doubt believes he's been doing a good job and is serving all the people well, including the Hebrews. He therefore punishes them for asking for so much as a holiday.

Leaders throughout the world often react in a similar way. They don't see themselves as behaving like Pharaoh; they think of themselves as having good intentions. Of course, Pharaoh thought so too.

If, as I've mentioned often, Egypt (as a descendent of Ham) symbolizes the flesh, then Pharaoh is the personal representation. This Pharaoh never heard of the LORD; he only knows the material world.

Another note: it appears, from verse 5, that Hebrews are more numerous than Egyptians.This despite the policy of killing male Hebrew babies that was the policy of a previous Pharaoh in Chapters 1 and 2. I'm suspecting that such genocide wasn't really carried out effectively if at all. Or if so, only briefly. It's unlikely Moses was the only survivor of it. 

James Leroy Wilson writes Daily Miracles, The Daily Bible Chapter, JL Cells, and The MVP Chase. Thanks for your subscriptions and support!

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