Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Exodus 9: Plagues Five, Six, And Seven - Sick Cows, Sick People, And Hail From Heaven

Egypt is going from bad to worse.  More plagues are being visited upon the nation as God, through Moses and Aaron, makes clear that He is serious about Pharaoh letting His people go.  Stubborn, proud, hard-hearted Pharaoh, however, refuses to budge.  He continues to shake an angry fist at God - and continues to suffer the consequences.

Plague Five unleashes a sickness upon the cattle of the Egyptians - but not upon those of the Israelites.  By distinguishing between the livestock of the peoples, God again makes His point that He is protecting the Hebrews while dealing out judgment upon the Egyptians.  This plague deals a major economic blow to the nation as they lose their horses, donkeys, camels, herds and flocks.  "But the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he would not let the people go" (vs. 7).

Plague Six is a disease visited upon the Egyptian people in addition to whatever animals were left.  By flinging the soot of the kilns into the air, it became a fine dust over the land that caused boils to break out.  This time, even those meddlesome magicians were afflicted!  Yet nothing changed.  "The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he would not listen to them, just as the Lord had spoken to Moses" (vs 12).

Plague Seven is a judgment from heaven - literally.  Again, with advance warning, Moses and Aaron tell Pharaoh what is coming: the heavens will thunder and the worst hailstorm to ever hit Egypt will fall from the sky.  By now, some of Pharaoh's officials realize that Moses and Aaron ought to be listened to, so they take precautionary steps to protect their property.  Others, however, arrogantly disregard the warning and suffer great loss when the hailstorm hits.  Pharaoh makes a quick plea to Moses to end the storm, promising that he will release the Hebrews (vs. 28).  However, as soon as the storm passes, "he sinned once more and hardened his heart, he and his officials" (vs. 34).

Again, the question may be asked: Why is God going through this prolonged sequence of punishing plagues to work His will in this matter?  He gives us the answer in verse 16: "This is why I have let you live: to show you my power, and to make my name resound through all the earth."  God is intent on making a name for Himself through the Exodus, and the plagues demonstrate what His power is and who His people are.

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