Sometimes, it's not about luck at all, but about seizing the moment. And in Jewish tradition, the story of Moses and Pharaoh offers a powerful lesson in just that.
In Exodus 8:16, God tells 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." Seems straightforward. But the rabbis in Shemot Rabbah (a classic collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus) dig deeper, exploring the nuances of this seemingly simple instruction.
The verse "Rise early in the morning" sparks a fascinating discussion. It's connected to Proverbs 22:29: "Have you seen a man diligent in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before the dark." What does diligence have to do with standing before kings?
One interpretation sees Moses himself as the embodiment of diligence. Perhaps he was diligent in the labor of building the Mishkan, the Tabernacle. Therefore, he earned the right to "stand before kings," specifically Pharaoh. Or, as Rabbi Yehuda suggests, his diligence lay in bringing the plagues upon Pharaoh. Either way, Moses' dedication paved the way for him to stand before power.
But Rabbi Nehemya offers a twist. He challenges the idea that standing before kings only means earthly rulers. Instead, he suggests that "he will stand before kings" means standing before the King of Kings, the Holy One, blessed be He! Think of Moses' time on Mount Sinai, "He was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights" (Exodus 34:28). And "he will not stand before the dark" refers to Pharaoh, upon whom God brought darkness, as it is stated: "There was a thick darkness" (Exodus 10:22).
Now, why the emphasis on "early"? Rabbi Berekhya gives us an intriguing glimpse into Pharaoh's mindset. Apparently, Pharaoh was getting annoyed with Moses' daily visits. He figured, "This son of Amram comes and goes to us each and every morning. Rather, before he comes, I will go and depart from here." He was trying to avoid the messenger, hoping to escape the message.
But God, who sees into the heart, revealed Pharaoh's plan 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." Hence, the instruction to "Rise early in the morning." It's about getting ahead of the curve, anticipating the actions of others.
Rabbi Pinḥas HaKohen bar Rabbi Ḥama connects this to Job 36:13: "The impious of heart will arouse wrath; they do not cry out when He binds them." This verse speaks to the consequences of a hardened heart. God waits for the wicked to repent, but if they refuse, He essentially locks them into their path, making repentance even harder.
The rabbis explain that “the impious of heart” are those who harbor wickedness from the start, ultimately inviting wrath upon themselves. And "they do not cry out when He binds them" means that even when they desire to repent and pray, they find themselves unable. Why? Because "He binds them," preventing them from changing course.
So, Pharaoh, in his stubbornness, was heading down a dangerous path. He was planning to escape the divine message, to avoid facing the consequences of his actions. And God, knowing this, instructed Moses to intercept him, to give him one last chance before it was too late. As Shemot Rabbah puts it, Moses had to announce the next plague "before he has the opportunity to pray."
What does this all mean for us? It’s a reminder that timing is everything. That diligence and seizing the moment are crucial. And perhaps most importantly, it's a call to examine our own hearts. Are we open to change, to repentance? Or are we, like Pharaoh, trying to outrun the inevitable, hardening our hearts until the door to redemption is locked? It’s a powerful thought, isn’t it?