In chapter 5, God asked Pharaoh to allow the Israelites to leave Egypt to worship him. In this chapter, the request comes with two demonstrations of God’s power; the second one is the first of ten plagues on Egypt. Notice that Pharaoh’s magicians are able to copy the displays of Moses and Aaron that are from God. We aren’t told if they do so by using illusion or satanic power, but this copying of God’s power probably helps Pharaoh to continue to ignore God’s direction.
Pharaoh is described as stubborn or hard-hearted because he resists God’s direction. There are probably times in your life when you have resisted God’s direction as well. It can seem like it would be in your best interest to do something God says is wrong. If you are resisting God today, it would be a good day to change direction.