The Ongoing Struggle

"ויחזק לב פרעה":

The experiences of Bnei Yisrael as a nation (e.g. Yetziat Mitzrayim, Matan Torah, Kibush Ha'aretz) foreshadow the challenges that we, as  individuals, face in their pursuit of spiritual growth. Life is about how we set our expectations. Part of successful living necessitates accepting that challenges always arise. The challenges are most acute at the beginning of a positive endeavor. This parallels Yetziat Mitzrayim - the first time Moshe confronts Pharaoh the workload is increased.

Just like Pharaoh never lets go, even after 10 plagues he chases after them into the sea, the war with the yetzer hara never ends. "Some days Moshe wins, some days Pharaoh wins." Pharaoh is at his strongest at the exact moment when we try to change (parallel to Moshe's first request to free the Jews, i.e. "change" their status).

Provided courtesy of rabbisilber.com