How will God bring about the deliverance of Israel if Pharaoh will not let them go? It seems that nothing will move Pharaoh and God is working to make sure he will not change his mind! God works this way to show that He is indeed Sovereign - the true only only power that rules over all the earth. He appoints rulers, and He accomplishes His plans through them, regardless of their level of willingness. God does not need Pharaoh's cooperation to deliver Israel - He will make it happen. In this case God does not change Pharaoh’s heart or mind, but by stripping him of his power to rule. By bringing judgment upon Pharaoh and all Egypt by the death of the firstborn of Egypt, God turned the people away from Pharaoh, instead favoring and yielding to Moses. With no one willing to support Pharaoh’s wishes, there is no one to stop Israel from leaving. So, God delivers the people through death and judgment on the Egyptians, and by reducing Pharaoh to nothing.
