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Exodus 9:17 – Let My People Forgive
“Let my people go” is probably the most recognized quote from God through Moses to Pharaoh concerning the great exodus from slavery. In Exodus 9:17, God says to the false king, “You are still acting arrogantly against my people by not letting them go” (CSB). The NASB (2020) phrases it, “Still you exalt yourself against My people by not letting them go.”
“Letting go” is not just an Exodus theme. Forgiveness is “letting go.” When the word (aphiemi) is used of forgiving, it literally means, “to send away.” According to several uses, it is in regard to forgiveness of debts (Matthew 6:12); trespasses (Matthew 6:14); blasphemies (Matthew 12:31); lawless deeds (Romans 4:7); wickedness (Acts 8:22); basically, all types of sins. Our sins were put away at the cross, with the abiding result that they are never more remembered against us. In that sense God “forgets”.
As regarding personal relationships, we can either send the sin away by forgiving; or hold the person hostage by not forgiving. Not forgiving can be linked to arrogance and exalting ourselves, as we think our sins are not as great as theirs; or how dare they sin against us. We can choose to be like Jesus, or Pharaoh who hardened his heart. God says as to our relationships with one another to forgive. Or in the image of Exodus, “let my people forgive”.
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