Exodus 9

From Theologica

Egyptian Cattle Die (9:1 - 9:7) Observation - - 9:1 God commands Moses to command Pharaoh to let His people go, "that they may serve [Him]." - 9:2-3 Consequence. - If Pharaoh refuses to let Israel go, the livestock will suffer from pestilence. - The pestilence will be severe. - It will affect livestock in the field. - Horses, donkeys, camels, herd animals and flock animals. - 9:4 God will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and that of Egypt. - None of the Hebrews' flocks will die. - 9:5 It was to happen at a definite time (tomorrow). - 9:6 "tomorrow" came and God fulfilled His promise. - All of the livestock of Egypt died. It is not specific that the livestock died on that day, but may have been spread out over several. - None of the livestock of Israel died. - 9:7 Pharaoh verified that no animal among Israel's flock died. - Pharaoh's heart was hardened (no comment on who hardened it.) - Pharaoh did not let the Hebrews go.

Interpretation - - There does seem to be a gradual increase of severity among the plagues. - Does that represent somethign? - God first made a division on the plague of flies. No flies bothered the Hebrews, but they did the Egyptions. - Could these flies have spread some disease to the cattle? - Does it matter? - God continues to show His sovereignty over things by specifying plagues and timelines and control over events.

Application -

The Plague of Boils (unannounced?) (9:8 - 9:12) Observation - 9:8 - God commands moses to command aaron to throw the soot from a kiln toward the skiy in the sight of Pharaoh. - The kiln is most likelyr a kiln used by the Hebrews to make bricks. 9:9 - The soot will become a fine dust over all of Egypt. - The dust will result in boils and sores on man and beast throughout the land 9:10 - Aaron and Moses obey - The effects happen as God said they would.. 9:11 - The magicians were affected by the plague. - They were unable to stand in Moses' presence. 9:12 - God hardened Pharaoh's heart - Pharaoh did not listen to Moses and Aaron

Interpretation - - This plague seems to be a sort of, "this one's for Israel" plague. - Israel suffered under slavery and making bricks for the Egyptians and so it seems that the kilns which were once used to make Israel suffer are now the source of Egypt's suffering. - Why could the magicians not stand before Moses? - Were they tormented greater than others? - Did their knowledge of the occult predispose them to recognizing that the plagues weretruly of God and make them fearful of Moses? - They must have recognized Moses as a spokesman for God. - They would have been wise to hide from him.

- By not allowing Israel to go, Pharaoh is exalting himself. - He is doing so by disobeying God. - Which is stating that he believes himself to be greater. - Could it be that God is saying that Pharaoh sees himself alone as more important and valuable than that of all of Israel?

Application - The Plague of Hail (9:13 - 9:35) Observation - 9:13 - Moses is again commanded to go before Pharaoh and command him to free the Hebrews. - Moses is to do it early in the morning. 9:14 - "This time I will send all My plagues on you and your servants and your people." - Why? so that you may know that there is no one like Me in all the earth. 9:15 - God states that had He wanted to, He could have destroyed all of Egypt. 9:16 - to show you My power and in order to proclaim My name through all the earth. - The reason given for Why God did not destroy Egypt outright. 9:17 - God states that Pharaoh exalts himself in spite of what he has seen and experienced. 9:18 - God warns that He will send "a very heavy hail" on Egypt. - This heavy of a fail has never fallen on Egypt before. - It does not state that it will never happen in the future. 9:19 - God is good. - God gives Pharaoh and his people a chance to save themselves and their cattle by coming in before the storm hits. - If they do not come inside, they will be killed in the ensuing storm. 9:20 - "The one" this is not to imply singularity, but is used in conjunction with v21 to show a difference between those who heeded God's warning and those who did not. - Those "who feared the word of the Lord" heeded the warning. 9:21 - "He who paid no regard to the word of the Lord" did not. 9:22 - God commands Moses to stretch our his hand toward the sky. - So that hail may fall on all the land of Egypt - on man and on beast - and on every plant of the field. 9:23-24 - Moses obeys. - God sends thunder (Lit. "Gave sounds") - hail - and fire ran down to earth. Is this Lightning? - The storm was more severe than egypt had ever seen. 9:25 - Results - The hail struck all that was in the field through all the land of Egypt. - Every plant of the field was shattered and every tree of the field as well. 9:26 - Only Goshen was spared the fury of God. 9:27 - Pharaoh sends for Moses and Aaron...again - Confesses that he has sinned "this time" - Confessess that the Lord is righteous and that he and his people are wicked. 9:28 - Pharaoh requests that Moses make supplication on Egypt's behalf - Says he will let Israel go. 9:29 - Moses says the storm will cease when he has left the city and spreads his arms. - So that Pharaoh "may know that the earth is the Lord's" 9:30 - Moses states that he knows that neither Pharaoh nor his servants truly fear God...yet. 9:31-32 - The flax and barley were ruined. - The wheat and the spelt were not because they ripen later in the season. 9:33 - Moses leaves the city and spreads out his hands to God. - The storm ceases 9:34 - Upon seeing the storm cease, Pharaoh and his sservants harden their hearts again. 9:35 - Pharaoh goes back on his word and does not let Israel go.

Interpretation - - 9:14 seems to say that future plagues will affect all of Egypt. Were there some that were spared in previous plagues? - verses like 8:21 and 8:3 seem to say that all were affected there. - "on you" has a sidenote that it can be translated "to your heart". Does this then mean that these future plagues would be for the purpose of speaking the truth to Egypt? That God the Lord is the source of the plagues? - This seems reasonable, the only other similar reference is in 8:10 which could easily be to Pharaoh alone. - God could have wiped out Egypt. By so doing, though, would the earth know about His power? - The key theme in this passage really revolves around God's mercy - God warns of the destruction and warns Egypt about the death they will face - God does not utterly destroy the crops, but leaves the important ones so that egypt may survive the plagues, if they choose to. - Even by allowing the storm to stop, he is showing mercy. Especially in light of knowing what Pharaoh will do. - Were buildings destroyed in this storm? - Was the fire which flashed in the sky just lightning?

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