“The Lord said to Moses: Rise early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; behold, he is going out to the water; and say to him: So said the Lord: Let My people go, and they will serve Me” (Exodus 8:16). “The Lord said to Moses: Rise early in the morning” – that is what is written: “Have you seen a man diligent in his work? [He will stand before kings; he will not stand before the dark]” (Proverbs 22:29), as it is written [on the verse: “All the work was finished” (I Kings 7:51)].1This is a reference to Pesikta Rabati 6, which, commenting on the verse from Kings, states that Moses and other individuals were diligent in their work and therefore stood before kings.
Alternatively: “Have you seen a man diligent in his work” – this is Moses, who was diligent in the labor of the Tabernacle; therefore, “he will stand before kings.” Rabbi Yehuda says: “Have you seen a man diligent in his work” – this is Moses, who was diligent in bringing plagues upon Pharaoh. “He will stand before kings” – “stand before Pharaoh.” “He will not stand before the dark” – this is Yitro.
Rabbi Neḥemya said to him: According to your statement, you have rendered the sacred profane. Rather, “he will stand before kings” – he will stand before the King of kings, the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “He was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights” (Exodus 34:28). “He will not stand before the dark” – this is Pharaoh, for whom and for whose land the Holy One brought darkness, as it is stated: “There was a thick darkness” (Exodus 10:22).
“Rise early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh” – why early? Rabbi Berekhya said: It is because the wicked Pharaoh would say: This son of Amram comes and goes to us each and every morning. Rather, before he comes, I will go and depart from here. But the Holy One blessed be He, who examines hearts, said to Moses: ‘Know that this is what this wicked one is planning in his heart; rather, precede him and appear to him before he departs.’
That is why it says: “Rise early in the morning.” Rabbi Pinḥas HaKohen bar Rabbi Ḥama said: That is what is written: “The impious of heart will arouse wrath; [they do not cry out when He binds them]” (Job 36:13). After the Holy One blessed be He waits for the wicked to repent, but they do not, even if ultimately they want to do so, He takes their heart so they will not repent. What are “the impious of heart”?
They are those who come and are initially impious in their heart; they ultimately bring wrath upon themselves. What is “they do not cry out when He binds them”? Even though they wish to repent to the Holy One blessed be He, and they come and engage in prayer, they are unable to do so. Why?
It is because “He binds them”; He locks the door before them. So, Pharaoh wished to engage in prayer, and the Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: ‘Go stand before him before he departs.’2Announce the next plague before he has the opportunity to pray.