Exodus 9

The Explanation

In Exodus 9 we read about three more plagues that God sends to Egypt: a disease among the animals, painful boils on people and animals, and a terrible hailstorm. It is already the fifth, sixth, and seventh plague. Pharaoh keeps refusing to let the people of Israel go, even though God has told him again and again through Moses: "Let my people go, that they may serve me."

First there is a disease among the livestock. The horses, donkeys, camels, cows, and sheep of the Egyptians die. But something strange happens: the animals of the Israelites, who live in the region of Goshen, stay healthy. Not a single one dies. Pharaoh even sends people to check. And yet his heart stays stubborn.

Then God tells Moses and Aaron to take ashes from a furnace and throw them into the air. The ashes become fine dust that spreads over the whole land. Wherever the dust lands, painful sores and blisters break out on the skin of people and animals. Even the magicians of Egypt, who earlier tried to imitate Moses, cannot stand up anymore because they too are covered in boils.

The seventh plague is the worst so far. Moses warns Pharaoh in advance: tomorrow a hailstorm will come, heavier than Egypt has ever seen. Bring your animals and servants inside! Something remarkable happens here. Some of Pharaoh's officials actually believe Moses and quickly bring their people and animals to safety. Others shrug their shoulders and leave everything outside.

Then Moses stretches out his staff. Thunder rolls, lightning flashes, and hail comes crashing down. Trees split. Crops in the field are ruined. Only in Goshen, where the Israelites live, it stays quiet. Not one hailstone falls there.

Pharaoh panics. He calls Moses and says, "I have sinned this time. Yahweh is righteous, and I and my people are wicked." He begs Moses to pray. Moses does, and the storm stops. But as soon as the sky is clear again, Pharaoh changes his mind and refuses once more.

What Does This Mean?

These plagues are not random disasters. They are signs. God is showing something to Pharaoh, to Egypt, and to us. In verse 16 God says something important: "For this cause I have made you stand: to show you my power, and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth."

God also makes a clear distinction. The Israelites' animals stay healthy. Goshen stays dry. This shows that God knows His people and takes care of them, even while judgment falls around them.

And then there is Pharaoh. He says he has sinned. That sounds like a real change. But as soon as the danger is over, he forgets everything. His "sorry" was only because he was scared, not because he truly wanted to change. The Bible calls that a hardened heart. A heart can become like stone, so hard that even miracles no longer move it.

The Common Thread

God said long before to Abraham that He would rescue His people from slavery. These plagues are part of that promise coming true. God does not forget what He has said, even after four hundred years.

Later Jesus comes, and He also saves His people. Not from Egypt, but from something even bigger: from sin and death. And just like in Goshen, there is a safe place. Whoever belongs to Jesus is safe with Him, even when things get hard in the world.

There is one more line. Some of Pharaoh's officials feared God's word and obeyed. They were Egyptians, not Israelites, but they listened. God's rescue is not only for one people. Anyone who listens to His voice may come along.

For You

Have you ever said sorry only because you were caught, and not really because you meant it? Pharaoh did that. The strange thing is: you can fool other people with that, but not God. He sees your heart.

You may ask honest questions about this chapter. Why does God send such heavy plagues? Why does He harden Pharaoh's heart? The Bible does not give an easy answer, and I will not pretend it does. But this we do know: God is patient. Seven times He warns Pharaoh. And every time there is still a way back.

Talk About It

Why do you think Pharaoh keeps changing his mind, and what does that tell you about his heart?

How would you have reacted if you were one of Pharaoh's officials who heard Moses' warning?

Praying Together

Lord, thank You that You are patient, also with me. Help me not to have a hard heart, but to really listen when You speak. Thank You that with Jesus there is a safe place, like Goshen. Amen.