Moses was forewarned that Pharaoh would resist the appeal to let Israel go. Yet the courage of God's servant must not fail; for the Lord would make this the occasion to manifest His power before the Egyptians and before His people. "And I will stretch out My hand, and smite Egypt with all My wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go."

Moses blev advaret om, at Farao ville modsætte sig anmodningen om at lade Israel rejse. Men Guds tjeners mod måtte ikke svigte, for Herren ville benytte denne anledning til at vise sin magt over for ægypterne og sit folk. "Jeg skal udrække min hånd og ramme Ægypten med alle mine undergerninger som jeg vil gøre der; så skal han give Eder lov til at drage af sted."