# Overview Exodus Chapter 9 continues the narrative of the #plagues that #God sends upon #Egypt through His servant #Moses. This chapter covers the fifth, sixth, and seventh plagues: the plague on livestock, the plague of boils, and the plague of hail. The chapter begins with God instructing Moses to go to #Pharaoh and demand the release of the #Israelites, warning that if Pharaoh refuses, a severe plague will strike the livestock of Egypt, sparing only the livestock of the Israelites. When Pharaoh's heart remains hardened, God sends a plague that kills all Egyptian livestock while the livestock of the Israelites remain unharmed. Pharaoh's heart remains unyielding despite witnessing God's power, and he refuses to release the Israelites. The narrative then progresses to the sixth plague, where God instructs Moses and #Aaron to take handfuls of soot from a kiln and throw it into the air in Pharaoh's presence, resulting in boils breaking out on both humans and animals throughout Egypt. Despite the suffering caused by this plague, Pharaoh's heart remains hardened. Finally, the seventh plague is introduced with a dramatic warning from God through Moses, foretelling a devastating hailstorm. God mercifully instructs those who fear His word to bring their livestock and servants indoors to avoid destruction. The hailstorm, combined with fire, ravages the land, destroying crops and killing any person or animal left in the open. Pharaoh admits to his sin and promises to let the Israelites go, but once the hail ceases, he again hardens his heart, refusing to release them. This chapter underscores God's sovereignty, the continued hardening of Pharaoh's heart, and the distinction made between the Egyptians and the Israelites amidst these judgments. ## Theological Insights Exodus 9 continues the narrative of the #plagues that God sends upon #Egypt, highlighting God's sovereignty and the hardness of #Pharaoh's heart. This chapter features the plagues of the livestock, boils, and hail, each demonstrating God's power over nature and His authority over the Egyptians. 1. **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**: The plagues serve as a testament to God’s supreme authority over all creation and His ability to execute judgment upon those who oppose Him. In this chapter, God systematically dismantles the Egyptian economy and health through the plagues on livestock, boils, and hail. This underscores the theme that God is not only the God of #Israel but also has power over all nations and their gods. The plagues are a fulfillment of God's promise to demonstrate His power to Pharaoh and the Egyptians, as seen in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 7|Exodus 7:4-5]]. 2. **The Hardening of Pharaoh's Heart**: Pharaoh's repeated refusal to heed God's command to release the Israelites is emphasized in this chapter. The hardening of Pharaoh's heart illustrates the human tendency to resist divine will, even in the face of overwhelming evidence of God's power. It also serves as a reminder of the consequences of pride and disobedience. God's foreknowledge and purpose in the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart are elaborated in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 4|Exodus 4:21]] and further discussed in [[Romans/Romans Chapter 9|Romans 9:17-18]]. 3. **Covenantal Faithfulness**: God's protection of the Israelites during the plagues, as demonstrated in the sparing of the Israelites' livestock and their exemption from the hailstorm, highlights His faithfulness to His covenant people. This distinction between the Egyptians and the Israelites underscores the special relationship between God and the descendants of #Abraham, #Isaac, and #Jacob, aligning with promises such as those found in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 12|Genesis 12:2-3]]. 4. **God’s Glory and Universal Recognition**: In Exodus 9:16, God declares, "But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." This statement reveals God's intention to make His power and name known universally. The plagues are not only judgments upon Egypt but also revelations of God's glory, intended to lead all nations to recognize His sovereignty. This aligns with the larger biblical narrative of God's desire for all nations to know Him, as seen in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 45|Isaiah 45:22]] and [[Philippians/Philippians Chapter 2|Philippians 2:9-11]]. These theological insights from Exodus 9 illustrate key themes of divine power, judgment, covenantal relationship, and the universal recognition of God’s sovereignty. The chapter serves as a crucial part of the narrative in which God is actively fulfilling His promises to His people and establishing His authority over all creation. ## Thematic Connections ### Divine Authority and Sovereignty Exodus 9 emphasizes #God's authority and sovereignty over all creation, including the natural elements and the affairs of nations. The plagues, such as the plague on livestock and the hailstorm, demonstrate God's power to control nature and disrupt the normal patterns of life in #Egypt. This theme of divine sovereignty is echoed in other scriptural narratives, such as God's control over the weather during the flood in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 7]] and the parting of the Red Sea in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 14]]. ### Judgement and Mercy The plagues in Exodus 9 serve as acts of divine judgment against #Pharaoh and #Egypt for their oppression of the #Israelites. At the same time, there is a theme of mercy present, as God provides warnings and opportunities for repentance. The distinction made between the Egyptians and the Israelites, who are spared from the plagues (such as the protection from the hail in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 9#26]]), illustrates God's mercy towards His chosen people, similar to the protection of Noah during the flood in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 7]]. ### Hardened Hearts The theme of hardened hearts is prevalent in Exodus 9, where Pharaoh's refusal to humble himself before God despite the increasing severity of the plagues highlights the spiritual blindness and resistance to divine will. This theme is mirrored in the New Testament, where individuals such as [[Acts/Acts Chapter 19|the Ephesian silversmiths]] also exhibit hardened hearts against the message of the gospel. The persistence of Pharaoh’s hardened heart serves as a warning of the dangers of resisting God’s will and refusing to acknowledge His sovereignty. ### Power of Divine Signs and Wonders The plagues serve as signs and wonders meant to reveal God’s power not only to the Egyptians but also to the Israelites, reinforcing their faith and understanding of God's supreme authority. This theme of divine signs is seen throughout Scripture, notably in the miracles performed by Jesus in the New Testament, such as the feeding of the 5,000 in [[John/John Chapter 6]], which serve to authenticate His divine mission and reveal His glory. ### The Call to Recognize God Exodus 9 underscores the call to recognize God as the one true God, as expressed in God's declaration that the plagues are sent "so that you may know that there is no one like me in all the earth" ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 9#14]]). This theme is reminiscent of Elijah's challenge to the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel in [[1 Kings/1 Kings Chapter 18]], where the demonstration of God's power leads to the recognition of His supremacy. This call to recognize and worship the one true God is a consistent message throughout the Bible. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Plagues as a Sign of God's Sovereignty In Exodus Chapter 9, the continuation of the #plagues upon #Egypt demonstrates God's sovereignty over creation and His power to execute judgment. The series of plagues, including the deadly plague on livestock, boils, and hail, fulfill God's declaration in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 7|Exodus 7:4-5]] that He would stretch out His hand against Egypt to bring the Israelites out. This act of divine intervention foreshadows God's ultimate judgment and deliverance themes seen throughout the Bible, such as in [[Revelation/Revelation Chapter 16|Revelation 16]], where plagues also serve as signs of God's righteous judgment. ### Judgment upon the False Gods of Egypt The plagues are not only judgments upon the Egyptian people but also upon the false gods of Egypt, as stated in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 12|Exodus 12:12]]. Each plague corresponds to an aspect of Egyptian life and deities, demonstrating God's supremacy over all. This prophetic act underscores the futility of idolatry, a theme echoed in prophetic writings such as [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 46|Isaiah 46]], where idols are contrasted with the living God who carries out His purposes. ### The Hardened Heart of Pharaoh The hardening of #Pharaoh’s heart, as seen in Exodus 9:12, fulfills God's earlier statement in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 4|Exodus 4:21]] that He would harden Pharaoh's heart to multiply His signs and wonders in Egypt. This fulfillment illustrates the tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility, a theme explored in the New Testament in passages like [[Romans/Romans Chapter 9|Romans 9:17-18]], where Paul references Pharaoh to discuss God's sovereign purposes in salvation history. ### The Distinction Between Israel and Egypt Throughout Exodus Chapter 9, God makes a clear distinction between His people, #Israel, and the Egyptians, sparing the land of Goshen from the plagues ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 9|Exodus 9:4]]). This distinction fulfills God's promise to protect His people and foreshadows the ultimate deliverance of Israel. It serves as a type of salvation that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who delivers His people from spiritual bondage, as expressed in [[Colossians/Colossians Chapter 1|Colossians 1:13-14]]. ### The Call to Acknowledge God's Power In Exodus 9:16, God declares to Pharaoh that he was raised up to show God's power and proclaim His name throughout the earth. This prophetic statement finds resonance in the New Testament, where the proclamation of God's power through Jesus Christ is central, as seen in [[Philippians/Philippians Chapter 2|Philippians 2:9-11]], where every knee will bow to the name of Jesus. This highlights the universal scope of God's redemptive plan and His desire for His name to be known among all nations. ## Verses - **Exodus 9:1** - "Go back to Pharaoh, the Lord commanded Moses. Tell him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so they can worship me." - **Exodus 9:2** - "If you continue to hold them and refuse to let them go," - **Exodus 9:3** - "the hand of the Lord will strike all your livestock—your horses, donkeys, camels, cattle, sheep, and goats—with a deadly plague." - See similar judgments in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 7]] and [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 8]]. - **Exodus 9:4** - "But the Lord will again make a distinction between the livestock of the Israelites and that of the Egyptians. Not a single one of Israel’s animals will die!" - **Exodus 9:5** - "The Lord has already set the time for the plague to begin. He has declared that he will strike the land tomorrow." - **Exodus 9:6** - "And the Lord did just as he had said. The next morning all the livestock of the Egyptians died, but the Israelites didn’t lose a single animal." - **Exodus 9:7** - "Pharaoh sent his officials to investigate, and they discovered that the Israelites had not lost a single animal. But even so, Pharaoh’s heart remained stubborn, and he still refused to let the people go." - See Pharaoh's hardened heart in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 7:13]]. - **Exodus 9:8** - "Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 'Take handfuls of soot from a brick kiln, and have Moses toss it into the air while Pharaoh watches.'" - **Exodus 9:9** - "The ashes will spread like fine dust over the whole land of Egypt, causing festering boils to break out on people and animals throughout the land." - **Exodus 9:10** - "So they took soot from a brick kiln and went and stood before Pharaoh. As Pharaoh watched, Moses threw the soot into the air, and boils broke out on people and animals alike." - **Exodus 9:11** - "Even the magicians were unable to stand before Moses, because the boils had broken out on them and all the Egyptians." - See the inability of the magicians in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 8:18]]. - **Exodus 9:12** - "But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and just as the Lord had predicted to Moses, Pharaoh refused to listen." - **Exodus 9:13** - "Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Get up early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh. Tell him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so they can worship me." - **Exodus 9:14** - "If you don’t, I will send more plagues on you and your officials and your people. Then you will know that there is no one like me in all the earth." - **Exodus 9:15** - "By now I could have lifted my hand and struck you and your people with a plague to wipe you off the face of the earth." - **Exodus 9:16** - "But I have spared you for a purpose—to show you my power and to spread my fame throughout the earth." - Refer to God's purpose in hardening Pharaoh's heart in [[Romans/Romans Chapter 9:17]]. - **Exodus 9:17** - "But you still lord it over my people and refuse to let them go." - **Exodus 9:18** - "So tomorrow at this time I will send a hailstorm more devastating than any in all the history of Egypt." - **Exodus 9:19** - "Quick! Order your livestock and servants to come in from the fields to find shelter. Any person or animal left outside will die when the hail falls." - **Exodus 9:20** - "Some of Pharaoh’s officials were afraid because of what the Lord had said. They quickly brought their servants and livestock in from the fields." - **Exodus 9:21** - "But those who paid no attention to the word of the Lord left theirs out in the open." - **Exodus 9:22** - "Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Lift your hand toward the sky so hail may fall on the people, the livestock, and all the plants throughout the land of Egypt.'" - **Exodus 9:23** - "So Moses lifted his staff toward the sky, and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and lightning flashed toward the earth. The Lord sent a tremendous hailstorm against all the land of Egypt." - **Exodus 9:24** - "Never in all the history of Egypt had there been a storm like that, with such devastating hail and continuous lightning." - **Exodus 9:25** - "It left all of Egypt in ruins. The hail struck down everything in the open field—people, animals, and plants alike. Even the trees were destroyed." - **Exodus 9:26** - "The only place without hail was the region of Goshen, where the people of Israel lived." - See God's protection over Goshen in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 8:22]]. - **Exodus 9:27** - "Then Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and Aaron. 'This time I have sinned,' he confessed. 'The Lord is the righteous one, and my people and I are wrong.'" - **Exodus 9:28** - "Please beg the Lord to end this terrifying thunder and hail. We’ve had enough. I will let you go; you don’t need to stay any longer." - **Exodus 9:29** - "All right, Moses replied. 'As soon as I leave the city, I will lift my hands and pray to the Lord. Then the thunder and hail will stop, and you will know that the earth belongs to the Lord.'" - **Exodus 9:30** - "But I know that you and your officials still do not fear the Lord God." - **Exodus 9:31** - "(All the flax and barley were ruined by the hail, because the barley had formed heads and the flax was budding.)" - **Exodus 9:32** - "But the wheat and the emmer wheat were spared, because they had not yet sprouted from the ground." - **Exodus 9:33** - "So Moses left Pharaoh’s court and went out of the city. When he lifted his hands to the Lord, the thunder and hail stopped, and the downpour ceased." - **Exodus 9:34** - "But when Pharaoh saw that the rain, hail, and thunder had stopped, he and his officials sinned again, and Pharaoh again became stubborn." - **Exodus 9:35** - "Because his heart was hard, Pharaoh refused to let the people leave, just as the Lord had predicted through Moses."