The Plagues, Power, and a Hardened Heart | Parashat Va’era (Pastor Yisrael Kohen)

Описание: In Parashat Va’era (Exodus 6:2–9:35), the conflict between Moses and Pharaoh intensifies. God sends Moses back to Egypt with a clear demand, Pharaoh resists, and the plagues begin to fall one by one. But beneath the signs and wonders lies a deeper and often troubling question: why does God harden Pharaoh’s heart?

This teaching walks through the escalating confrontation between the God of Israel and the most powerful ruler of the ancient world. We explore the purpose of the plagues, the meaning of Pharaoh’s resistance, and how God’s sovereignty and human responsibility collide in this dramatic section of Exodus.

Parashat Va’era is not just about miracles and judgment. It’s about authority, freedom, pride, and what happens when power refuses to yield to truth. The story forces us to ask uncomfortable questions about obedience, repentance, and the cost of a hardened heart.

Whether you’ve read this passage many times or are encountering it fresh, this teaching will challenge common assumptions and invite deeper reflection on God’s justice, mercy, and long-term plan of redemption.

Scripture focus: Exodus 6:2–9:35
Parashah: Va’era