with Pharaoh displayed his power and his name, that is, aspects of his character not previously known. Egypt’s ruler enslaved the Israelites, and God repeatedly told Pharaoh, through Moses, to let his people go (Ex. 5:1; 7:16; 8:20–21; 9:1; 10:3). Pharaoh refused. At first, God sent lesser judgments—frogs, gnats (or lice), and flies—to warn Pharaoh (Ex. 7:25–8:32; Ps. 105:30–31). When he did not relent, God visited Egypt with more potent plagues. Since God raised up Pharaoh “for this very purpose,”