Then the Lord said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still,
Behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain.
And the Lord shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all that is the children’s of Israel.
And the Lord appointed a set time, saying, To morrow the Lord shall do this thing in the land.
And the Lord did that thing on the morrow, and all the cattle of Egypt died: but of the cattle of the children of Israel died not one.
And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.
And the Lord said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh.
And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt.
And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast.
And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians.
And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had spoken unto Moses.
And the Lord said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth.
For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth.
And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.
As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?
Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.
Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die.
He that feared the word of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses:
And he that regarded not the word of the Lord left his servants and his cattle in the field.
And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.
And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the Lord rained hail upon the land of Egypt.
So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.
And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field.
Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail.
And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the Lord is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.
Intreat the Lord (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer.
And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the Lord; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the Lord’s.
But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the Lord God.
And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled.
But the wheat and the rie were not smitten: for they were not grown up.
And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the Lord: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.
And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.
And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the Lord had spoken by Moses.
Exodus 9, a chapter saturated with divine power and human obstinacy, reveals God's escalating confrontation with Pharaoh and his pantheon of false gods. Through a series of increasingly devastating plagues, God demonstrates His absolute sovereignty over creation and relentlessly calls Pharaoh to repentance. This chapter is a powerful reminder that God’s grace is always extended, even in judgment, and that choosing to resist Him ultimately leads to destruction. The key phrase for Exodus 9 is the hardening of Pharaoh's heart, highlighting the dangerous consequences of resisting God's clear commands.
The Plague on Livestock (9:1-7)
Following the earlier plagues that primarily caused discomfort, God escalates the pressure on Pharaoh. He commands, once again, through Moses: “Let my people go, that they may worship me” (Exodus 9:1). This was not merely a request for vacation time; it was a demand for freedom to fulfill their divinely appointed purpose: worship. Pharaoh's refusal would now trigger a devastating plague on the Egyptians' livestock, a significant blow to their agricultural economy.
However, God, in His mercy, makes a clear distinction: “But the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that no animal belonging to the Israelites will die” (Exodus 9:4). This distinction underscores God’s covenant faithfulness to His people and showcases His power over life and death. Despite witnessing this divine intervention, Pharaoh remained unmoved, his heart hardened against the undeniable evidence of God's power (Exodus 9:7). This reveals a critical truth: witnessing miracles alone does not guarantee repentance.
The Plague of Boils (9:8-12)
The sixth plague introduces physical suffering on a personal level. God instructs Moses and Aaron to take handfuls of soot from a furnace and scatter it in the air, transforming it into a plague of festering boils on both humans and animals (Exodus 9:8-9). This plague was particularly humiliating, as it even afflicted the Egyptian magicians, rendering them unable to stand before Moses (Exodus 9:11). This demonstrated the powerlessness of their magic and the superiority of God's might.
Yet, even this agonizing plague failed to soften Pharaoh's heart. Scripture tells us, “But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not listen to them, just as the Lord had said to Moses” (Exodus 9:12). This hardening was not arbitrary. Pharaoh had repeatedly rejected God's warnings and opportunities to repent. God, in His sovereignty, allowed Pharaoh's own stubbornness to lead him further down a path of destruction. This serves as a solemn warning about the consequences of persistent rebellion against God.
The Plague of Hail (9:13-35)
Before unleashing the seventh plague, God extends another opportunity for repentance, demonstrating His incredible patience. He warns Pharaoh that He is about to send the worst hailstorm Egypt has ever experienced (Exodus 9:14, 18). The purpose, God declares, is so that Pharaoh and all the earth may know that there is no one like Him (Exodus 9:14). God's judgment is not merely punitive; it is revelatory. He desires that all people recognize His unique power and authority.
Remarkably, some of Pharaoh’s officials heeded the warning and brought their livestock indoors, fearing the word of the Lord (Exodus 9:20). This shows that even within a hardened society, some individuals can respond to God's grace. Others, however, disregarded the warning, choosing to follow Pharaoh's example of defiance (Exodus 9:21).
The resulting hailstorm was devastating, destroying crops, livestock, and people (Exodus 9:23-25). Yet, God once again demonstrated His selective power by sparing the land of Goshen, where the Israelites resided (Exodus 9:26). This was no random act of nature; it was a deliberate display of God’s power and protection over His people.
In the face of such destruction, Pharaoh finally confessed his sin and acknowledged the Lord’s righteousness (Exodus 9:27). He even promised to let the Israelites go (Exodus 9:28). Moses, however, knew that Pharaoh's repentance was superficial, a mere attempt to escape the immediate consequences of his actions (Exodus 9:30).
True to Moses's prediction, once the hail ceased, Pharaoh hardened his heart once more and refused to release the Israelites (Exodus 9:34-35). Even the preservation of some crops, like wheat and spelt, was not enough to move him to genuine repentance. Pharaoh's heart was set on resisting God, regardless of the cost.
God's Purpose in Pharaoh's Stubbornness (9:15-16)
Within the narrative of relentless plagues and Pharaoh's hardening heart lies a profound theological truth: God's sovereignty extends even to those who oppose Him. God states that He has allowed Pharaoh to live for the purpose of demonstrating His power and making His name known throughout the earth (Exodus 9:16). While Romans 8:28 assures believers that all things work together for good for those who love God, this passage reveals the other side of the coin: all things can work together for the bad of those who hate God and resist His purposes. God will be glorified, whether through our willing obedience or through the consequences of our rebellion.
God's interaction with Pharaoh serves as a powerful illustration of how God can use even the most hardened hearts to accomplish His purposes. Pharaoh's stubbornness ultimately magnified God's power and revealed His glory to the surrounding nations.
Exodus 9 serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of humility and obedience before God. It teaches that God's grace is always available, even in the midst of judgment. However, persistent rejection of God's grace leads to a hardened heart and ultimately, to destruction. The chapter also highlights God's unwavering commitment to His people and His sovereign control over all creation. As we read Exodus 9, let us examine our own hearts, ensuring that we are not hardening ourselves to God's call but rather, humbly submitting to His will and allowing Him to work in and through us for His glory.
Then the Lord said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still,
Behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain.
And the Lord shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all that is the children’s of Israel.
And the Lord appointed a set time, saying, To morrow the Lord shall do this thing in the land.
And the Lord did that thing on the morrow, and all the cattle of Egypt died: but of the cattle of the children of Israel died not one.
And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.
And the Lord said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh.
And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt.
And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast.
And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians.
And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had spoken unto Moses.
And the Lord said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth.
For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth.
And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.
As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?
Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.
Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die.
He that feared the word of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses:
And he that regarded not the word of the Lord left his servants and his cattle in the field.
And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.
And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the Lord rained hail upon the land of Egypt.
So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.
And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field.
Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail.
And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the Lord is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.
Intreat the Lord (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer.
And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the Lord; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the Lord’s.
But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the Lord God.
And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled.
But the wheat and the rie were not smitten: for they were not grown up.
And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the Lord: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.
And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.
And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the Lord had spoken by Moses.
Exodus 9, a chapter saturated with divine power and human obstinacy, reveals God's escalating confrontation with Pharaoh and his pantheon of false gods. Through a series of increasingly devastating plagues, God demonstrates His absolute sovereignty over creation and relentlessly calls Pharaoh to repentance. This chapter is a powerful reminder that God’s grace is always extended, even in judgment, and that choosing to resist Him ultimately leads to destruction. The key phrase for Exodus 9 is the hardening of Pharaoh's heart, highlighting the dangerous consequences of resisting God's clear commands.
The Plague on Livestock (9:1-7)
Following the earlier plagues that primarily caused discomfort, God escalates the pressure on Pharaoh. He commands, once again, through Moses: “Let my people go, that they may worship me” (Exodus 9:1). This was not merely a request for vacation time; it was a demand for freedom to fulfill their divinely appointed purpose: worship. Pharaoh's refusal would now trigger a devastating plague on the Egyptians' livestock, a significant blow to their agricultural economy.
However, God, in His mercy, makes a clear distinction: “But the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that no animal belonging to the Israelites will die” (Exodus 9:4). This distinction underscores God’s covenant faithfulness to His people and showcases His power over life and death. Despite witnessing this divine intervention, Pharaoh remained unmoved, his heart hardened against the undeniable evidence of God's power (Exodus 9:7). This reveals a critical truth: witnessing miracles alone does not guarantee repentance.
The Plague of Boils (9:8-12)
The sixth plague introduces physical suffering on a personal level. God instructs Moses and Aaron to take handfuls of soot from a furnace and scatter it in the air, transforming it into a plague of festering boils on both humans and animals (Exodus 9:8-9). This plague was particularly humiliating, as it even afflicted the Egyptian magicians, rendering them unable to stand before Moses (Exodus 9:11). This demonstrated the powerlessness of their magic and the superiority of God's might.
Yet, even this agonizing plague failed to soften Pharaoh's heart. Scripture tells us, “But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not listen to them, just as the Lord had said to Moses” (Exodus 9:12). This hardening was not arbitrary. Pharaoh had repeatedly rejected God's warnings and opportunities to repent. God, in His sovereignty, allowed Pharaoh's own stubbornness to lead him further down a path of destruction. This serves as a solemn warning about the consequences of persistent rebellion against God.
The Plague of Hail (9:13-35)
Before unleashing the seventh plague, God extends another opportunity for repentance, demonstrating His incredible patience. He warns Pharaoh that He is about to send the worst hailstorm Egypt has ever experienced (Exodus 9:14, 18). The purpose, God declares, is so that Pharaoh and all the earth may know that there is no one like Him (Exodus 9:14). God's judgment is not merely punitive; it is revelatory. He desires that all people recognize His unique power and authority.
Remarkably, some of Pharaoh’s officials heeded the warning and brought their livestock indoors, fearing the word of the Lord (Exodus 9:20). This shows that even within a hardened society, some individuals can respond to God's grace. Others, however, disregarded the warning, choosing to follow Pharaoh's example of defiance (Exodus 9:21).
The resulting hailstorm was devastating, destroying crops, livestock, and people (Exodus 9:23-25). Yet, God once again demonstrated His selective power by sparing the land of Goshen, where the Israelites resided (Exodus 9:26). This was no random act of nature; it was a deliberate display of God’s power and protection over His people.
In the face of such destruction, Pharaoh finally confessed his sin and acknowledged the Lord’s righteousness (Exodus 9:27). He even promised to let the Israelites go (Exodus 9:28). Moses, however, knew that Pharaoh's repentance was superficial, a mere attempt to escape the immediate consequences of his actions (Exodus 9:30).
True to Moses's prediction, once the hail ceased, Pharaoh hardened his heart once more and refused to release the Israelites (Exodus 9:34-35). Even the preservation of some crops, like wheat and spelt, was not enough to move him to genuine repentance. Pharaoh's heart was set on resisting God, regardless of the cost.
God's Purpose in Pharaoh's Stubbornness (9:15-16)
Within the narrative of relentless plagues and Pharaoh's hardening heart lies a profound theological truth: God's sovereignty extends even to those who oppose Him. God states that He has allowed Pharaoh to live for the purpose of demonstrating His power and making His name known throughout the earth (Exodus 9:16). While Romans 8:28 assures believers that all things work together for good for those who love God, this passage reveals the other side of the coin: all things can work together for the bad of those who hate God and resist His purposes. God will be glorified, whether through our willing obedience or through the consequences of our rebellion.
God's interaction with Pharaoh serves as a powerful illustration of how God can use even the most hardened hearts to accomplish His purposes. Pharaoh's stubbornness ultimately magnified God's power and revealed His glory to the surrounding nations.
Exodus 9 serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of humility and obedience before God. It teaches that God's grace is always available, even in the midst of judgment. However, persistent rejection of God's grace leads to a hardened heart and ultimately, to destruction. The chapter also highlights God's unwavering commitment to His people and His sovereign control over all creation. As we read Exodus 9, let us examine our own hearts, ensuring that we are not hardening ourselves to God's call but rather, humbly submitting to His will and allowing Him to work in and through us for His glory.