Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, "Entreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice to the LORD.” (v.8)
This is the man who not long ago proudly said, "Who is the Lord? Who is Jehovah?" Now when he begins to know something of Jehovah’s power and justice, he is glad to procure Moses and Aaron to become intercessors to Jehovah for him.
The word "entreat" in our text means intercede. This request by Pharaoh of Moses is the first sign of Pharaoh's willingness to concede. In doing so he acknowledged the power of Jehovah, “Intreat the Lord, that He may take away…”’). He acknowledged the power of righteous men’s prayers by calling on Moses to "intercede" for him to God. And, Pharaoh makes an absolute unreserved promise to “let the people go.”
So, when Moses prayed, God answered – and all the frogs died. But like many people who while suffering the consequences of their sin and turn to God in the moment, afterwards they forget the promise, so did Pharaoh. Once Pharaoh saw that he was clear of the frogs, he hardened his heart again, and did not let the people go (v.15). This becomes a familiar pattern with Pharaoh: so when he did not keep his word the first time, no doubt it became easier and easier to do the same thing again and again.
Better not to make a promise (vow) to God than to break one. Charles H. Spurgeon writes of this folly, “Pharaoh increased his guilt. His vows heaped up his transgressions. He forgot his promises; but God did not. They were laid in store against him.” As we continue through the next few chapters Spurgeon's words will become very evident.
The Truth: “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed.” (Ecclesiastes 5:4)
