The Midrash on this week’s Parsha makes an interesting
observation on Pharaoh’s behavior. There
is only one time during the entire episode of the 10 plagues that Pharaoh says
that the Lord is just. In fact, from the
beginning, Pharaoh denies even any recognition of God, let alone that God is
right and he is wrong. Yet, after the plague
of Hail Pharaoh says, “I am wrong, God is right, And I and my people are the
villains (Exodus 9:27).” What influenced
this change of heart in the Pharoah?
The answer proposed by the Midrash is a very interesting
one, with implications about how to influence other people in our own
lives. The Midrash says that it is the
way of human beings to surprise their enemies, attack them, and take what is
theirs, but God does not act in this way. when God strikes human beings it is
to educate. Therefore when God intended
to send the hail to Egypt as the 7th plague, Pharaoh was instructed
(Ex. 9:18-19) to make sure all of the beasts were in from the fields for their protection
and the protection of the servants who tended them.
On this verse, Sforno (16th
century Italian sage) comments:
So that I might show you my power –
to move you to repent. As it is written:
“for I have no pleasure in the death of him that dies…” (Ezekiel 18:32).
The most influential thing in the change of attitude in
Pharaoh was not the strong hand of God, Pharaoh remains obstinate in the face
of the plagues. It was the way in which
God displayed his mercy which impacted Pharaoh.
It is important for us to remember this when trying to
influence the people around us, friends, children, family. It is often the case that people are
influenced more by merciful and understanding behavior than by browbeating them
into accepting that our way is correct.
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