Moses knew that the contest was not ended. Pharaoh's confessions and promises were not the effect of any radical change in his mind or heart, but were wrung from him by terror and anguish. Moses promised, however, to grant his request; for he would give him no occasion for further stubbornness. The prophet went forth, unheeding the fury of the tempest, and Pharaoh and all his host were witnesses to the power of Jehovah to preserve His messenger. Having passed without the city, Moses "spread abroad his hands unto the Lord: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth." But no sooner had the king recovered from his fears than his heart returned to its perversity.

Moses vidste, at kampen ikke var til ende. Faraos bekendelser og løfter skyldtes ikke en grundig forandring af sind og hjerte, men blev aftvunget ham på grund af rædsel og angst. Men Moses lovede at opfylde hans ønske, for han ville ikke give ham nogen grund til yderligere hårdnakkethed. Uden at ænse uvejrets rasen gik profeten ud, og Farao og alle hans mænd så, at Gud havde magt til at bevare sin tjener. Da han var kommet uden for byen, udbredte han sine hænder mod Herren, og da hørte tordenen og haglene op, og regnen strømmede ikke mere ned. Men kongen var næppe kommet sig af sin frygt, før hans hjerte igen blev forhærdet.