Exodus 12:31-32 And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the Lord, as ye have said. Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.
The judgments of God on the Pharaoh (a god), on Egypt (the world), and on its gods (the spiritual enemies) grew harsher through the Ten Plagues, until finally, the most severe judgment of all convinced Pharaoh to do as God said. And he let the people go. It took a while, but the Lord in the end got the response He was seeking. Pharaoh gave up and relented: He surrendered to the one true God. Whether he repented or not is doubtful, for he was coerced against his will to obey and do. He did not ask for forgiveness, but he did ask for blessing.
The saying goes: ”A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.” But the Lord accomplished His will: He redeemed and delivered His people. The Law of God did its work, but it did not bring the stiff-necked heart to the Gospel. He still did not believe God; we know, for he changed his mind again and chased after Israel, until his army was destroyed in the Red Sea.
The hard, stubborn, proud, rebellious heart of Pharaoh reveals the heart of all us sinners. It takes an awful lot to convince a sinner’s heart. It took the innocent suffering and death of the Son of God. The Truth is that all creatures, visible and invisible, will submit to Jesus Christ as Lord. ”At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord [Philippians 2:10-11].” Even the demons believe, and tremble. Everything will one day submit to Jesus, either willingly now by the power of the Gospel, or unwillingly later by the hammer of the Law.
Hint: it would be a good idea to repent and believe today.