THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
When you observe the judgments with which He struck Pharaoh, do not assume that God acts unjustly at all. His intention was to liberate the people gracefully, yet the Egyptian chose resistance. The fact that God did not desire to impose harsh penalties is clear from His prior actions—He sent a messenger to the ruler of Egypt with the command: "Let my people go, that they may do me service in the wilderness" (and to relay, "The Lord God of the Hebrews has sent me to tell you, ‘Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness’; yet you have not heeded this command"). Since this directive was simple, why was it not accepted willingly?
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He did not demand, "Let them sacrifice to Me in your land," for then the answer would have been, "This is impossible; our priests are devoted to us, and it is unlawful to establish a new decree in our territory." He did not request that they travel far but asked only for three days of respite. Had he allowed them to depart entirely, it would have been just, for the Israelites had labored without compensation for a long time. Yet, even this modest request for only three days was denied. Shouldn't you have recognized My might and not misused My patience?