“and bless me also.”

Exodus 12:32

This is one of the most odd statements I have ever read in the Bible!

 It’s odd because of who said it!

 It was Pharaoh… Pharaoh who had constantly refused to let the children of Israel leave Egypt!  God had brought all the plagues on him and on Egypt, the final one being the death of the first- born sons in Egypt, including his first-born son and heir!  So now he finally tells the children of Israel to leave Egypt!  That’s the context for what he said.

 “And he (Pharaoh) 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.”  Exodus 12:31-32

Sadly, this was not possible, even though it sounded good.

You see, Pharaoh was so angry at God, and his heart was so hard!  Yes, he had a moment of regret, maybe, but these were empty words!  Pharaoh could not be “blessed” because he was unrepentant… he would soon gather his army to chase the Jews down!  Regret is one thing, repentance is another!

When a person changes their mind about their attitude, and is willing to accept whatever God says, that is repentance.  Things will begin to change, and they will keep changing for the good.  The change will last!

People change their minds all the time about things they say and do, but Christians have the Holy Spirit and He helps these changes last.  We can thank God, that as born again, Bible-believing Christians we are blessed and the blessings last!