Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Psalms, offers a fascinating glimpse into this divine-human "battle" during the Exodus. It's not just about raw power, but about God meeting Pharaoh on his own terms, almost like a game of supernatural one-upmanship.
The story picks up with Pharaoh pursuing the fleeing Israelites. According to this midrash, Pharaoh demands a male horse, prized for its speed. But God, the midrash says, conjures an image of one for him. "When you ride on your horses, your chariots will come to life," as the prophet Habakkuk (3:8) says.
But Pharaoh wasn’t easily impressed. He then asks for a female horse, deemed more strategic for battle because they don't need to stop to relieve themselves. The Holy One, blessed be He, responds in kind: "To my mare among Pharaoh's chariots, I compare you, my love," (Song of Songs 1:9). Imagine that – God mirroring Pharaoh's choice, meeting him where he is, using imagery Pharaoh understands!
The escalation continues. Pharaoh shoots arrows? God sends fiery arrows right back, scattering them (Psalm 18:15). Pharaoh brings iron spits? God counters with sharp lightning bolts (Exodus 9:23). It’s a cosmic tit-for-tat, a divine echo of Pharaoh’s aggression.
The text continues, describing a chaotic scene. The pillar of cloud, the protective divine presence, descends, turning the battlefield into mud. The pillar of fire boils, and the horses' hooves fall off. Pharaoh escalates with metal spears, and God responds with hailstones and flaming coals (Psalm 18:13). Then sulfur meets fiery coals, accompanied by the thunderous voice of God (Psalm 18:14). They were so confused they “did not know what to do.”
Rabbi Berachiah, quoting Rabbi Elazar, adds a powerful image: when Pharaoh exhausted his arsenal, God began to "fly," as Psalm 18:11 says, "He rode on a cherub and flew." Pharaoh, in disbelief, challenges God: "Perhaps You can fly." And in response, God measures from wing to wing, shrouding Himself in darkness (Psalm 18:12).
This isn't just a story about divine power; it’s about God engaging with humanity, meeting Pharaoh's challenge with a powerful and overwhelming response. It's a reminder that even in the face of the most formidable opposition, divine intervention can manifest in unexpected and awe-inspiring ways. What does it mean that God meets Pharaoh on his own level, using his own tactics, before ultimately revealing His full, transcendent power? It's something to consider, isn't it?