Livestock, Boils, and Hail

Exodus 9

Pharaoh’s heart is still hard and he is a stubborn man. He tried to make a compromise but it was still not what God wanted. The plagues are continuing and we are going to read about the fifth, sixth, and seventh plague today.

Livestock dead

Moses was told by God to give Pharaoh the warning that if he did not let all the Hebrews free then all the livestock in Egypt would die. The only livestock that would be safe would be the Hebrews livestock in the land of Goshen. Pharaoh did not take the warning and behold the next day all the livestock of the Egyptians died. Could you imagine as Egypt was a populated place and all the livestock that the land had just died? You are in the field and by the end of the day all those in the field are dead. This plague had great consequences on the economic strain of the country. Cattle was considered wealth in the land of Egypt and that was also food for people. Both loss of wealth and food are coming on to the land of Egypt. First there was the stench in the land from the blood and frogs, then the annoying gnats and flies to irritate the people and now they were really going to feel the hurt as their food source is dying off. 

Boils

This is the first plague that is dealing with the physical aspect of people. The previous ones were on the land and animals but now this is direct on people. Moses and Aaron again went before Pharaoh and asked the same request but Pharaoh would not listen. Therefore boils were upon man and beast. These sores were big blisters which were irritating and painful. This section is the first mention of even the magicians being affected by this and they could not even stand before Pharaoh.

Hail

This seventh plague came about like the previous ones. Moses stands before Pharaoh and gives the request the same as before and Pharaoh still has a hard heart. In all the plagues, Moses gave the warning to Pharaoh to let the people go or this will happen but Pharaoh does not listen. This plague came with more of a warning. Bring in your cattle and your slaves from outside because the hail that is going to fall is going to be massive and they will die for sure.  Those that feared God listened and those who did not fear God did not listen. The result was mass hail and animal’s and people dead. Anything that was in the fields was cut down. Trees were destroyed by the hail and fire. Pharaoh’s reaction was almost like a glimpse of this could all be over right now. He said, “I have sinned, God is right and I am wrong.” It seems like Pharaoh finally gets it. There is a but in his statement. As soon as the hail and fire stopped Pharaoh went back to having a hard heart. 

This reminds me of when you get caught doing something that you should not and you say sorry but as soon as you get another opportunity to do that bad thing again you will. This was like Pharaoh. He did not have a true repentant heart. He did not truly fear the Lord. He was miserable but as soon as their was relief he did not care. How are you like Pharaoh when it comes to sin? Are you sorry when you are caught in the act or do you desire not to do that anymore? Do you desire to please the Lord? I know God disciplines those he loves (Rev 3:19). God disciplines us so we can stop in our tracks. Pharaoh’s heart was hard and it took a lot of things to get his attention.