Exodus 9 - Printer Friendly

What does Exodus 9 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

God has sent four plagues to convince Egypt to release their Hebrew slaves (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24). Egypt's king, the pharaoh, has repeatedly refused (Exodus 5:2; 7:14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32). In this chapter, the Lord will bring three more catastrophes. This will lead Pharaoh to make one final, fateful choice to defy God. After repeatedly defying the Lord (Exodus 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7, 34), he will run out of time to submit (Proverbs 29:1). For the rest of his part in this story, Pharaoh is overtly prevented from repenting (Exodus 4:21), becoming a horrific example of God's judgment against sin (Exodus 9:12; 10:1, 20, 27; 11:10).

The fifth plague kills Egyptian livestock. Pharaoh refuses to release the Hebrews, so God sends a pestilence that virtually erases the Egyptian flocks. This probably killed "all of" the animals in the same sense that Joseph sold food to "all the people" (Genesis 42:6) and "all the people" of a region asked a man to leave (Luke 8:37). It implies most, or nearly all, without necessarily meaning literally 100%. There will be some Egyptian livestock left to suffer future plagues (Exodus 9:9, 19–21). While the Egyptians lose "all" their animals, nothing happens to the Hebrew flocks. This language is more specific, indicating that not a single animal—literally, not one—of the Israelite flocks is harmed. Pharaoh again refuses to repent (Exodus 9:1–7).

The sixth plague creates debilitating, painful sores, boils, and skin lesions. This is the first plague after which God is said to actively interfere with Pharaoh's free will. The Lord makes the Egyptian king stubborn (Exodus 4:21), setting up the next disaster. There, for the final time, Pharaoh will be offered a choice (Exodus 9:8–12).

Moses delivers a dire warning about the next divine judgment. The Lord has punished Egypt, but not to the point of complete obliteration. He has mercifully offered them chances to turn to Him. Since they have not changed, God's power will be displayed through further plagues (Exodus 9:13–17).

This leads to a warning that the Lord will send a hailstorm more terrible than anything the nation has ever seen. Those who have seen God's previous power should respond by bringing people and animals under shelter. Anything left in the open will die. Some of the Egyptians who hear this warning pay attention and bring their resources inside. Others ignore the prediction (Exodus 9:18–21).

When the hail comes, it is a very literal "storm." There is "fire" in the form of lightning that mixes with brutal hail and cuts down every living thing outdoors. When hailstones are large, they can become dangerous or even instantly lethal. This hail is so large, so dense, and in such an intense storm that plants outside are torn apart. God further emphasizes that this is supernatural judgment by keeping the hail entirely away from the Israelites, all of whom live in Goshen (Exodus 9:22–26).

Pharaoh then calls for Moses and Aaron; the ruler admits his own error and begs for mercy. Moses needs no divine revelation to know that Pharaoh is insincere. Moses keeps his word and appeals for the hailstorm to end. As soon as the danger has passed, Pharaoh once again breaks his promise and refuses to release the Hebrew slaves (Exodus 9:27–35).

This will set up the nation of Egypt to experience three more plagues: locusts (Exodus 10:14–15), darkness (Exodus 10:22–23), and the death of all firstborns (Exodus 12:29–30).

Exodus 9:1–7 describes the fifth of God's ten plagues on Egypt (Exodus 3:20). Through Moses, the Lord threatens to strike Egyptian livestock while leaving Hebrew animals safe. Pharaoh, Egypt's king, refuses to release the people, so the plague occurs. Despite this, Pharaoh remains stubborn.

Exodus 9:8–12 records the sixth plague (Exodus 3:20), involving skin lesions and sores. Up until now, Pharaoh has been deliberately obstinate and hard-headed (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7). He has ignored every command from God and each sign of divine power. In this passage, Pharaoh nears a point of no return (Proverbs 29:1). As promised (Exodus 4:21), the Lord makes an example of Egypt's ruler by making the Egyptian king even more headstrong. This will lead to an exceptional display of divine power: an epic hailstorm.

Exodus 9:13–26 explains the seventh plague on Egypt (Exodus 3:20). Because Pharaoh has stubbornly resisted the Lord (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7), God has begun to harden Pharaoh's heart as a means of judgment (Exodus 9:12). Moses offers a warning for Egyptians to take shelter against a coming storm. Some listen, others do not. God sends a terrifying, brutal storm of hail and lightning that kills everything and everyone in the open fields. Only the Hebrew land of Goshen is spared.

Exodus 9:27–35 shows that Pharaoh is entirely to blame for his stubbornness against God. After a catastrophic seventh plague, the king claims to be convinced. He begs for the hailstorm to stop (Exodus 9:24–25). Moses agrees but is not fooled by the apparent change of heart. As soon as the hail and lightning stop, Pharaoh once again (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7) deliberately defies God. This is a point of no return (Proverbs 29:1). After this, God will ensure that Pharaoh remains obstinate (Exodus 4:21) to establish an example of divine judgment.

Chapter Summary:

After four devastating plagues, Pharaoh continues to resist God's command to free the Hebrew slaves. Through Moses, the Lord sends two more: death of Egyptian livestock and an epidemic of skin lesions. Pharoah refuses to respond to the first, and God makes him stubborn after the second. This leads to the most terrifying sign yet: the seventh plague of hail and fire. Pharoah claims to repent. Yet as soon as the hail stops, he again chooses obstinance. After this, the Lord will use Pharaoh as a tool to demonstrate divine judgment.

Chapter Context:

Moses and Aaron brought the Lord's command that Pharaoh should release Hebrew slaves (Exodus 5:1–4). Over and over, Egypt's king was obstinate. This resulted in divine plagues meant to demonstrate God's power and authority (Exodus 7:20; 8:6, 17, 24). In this chapter, God sends three more disasters: a plague on livestock, an epidemic of skin sores, and an obliterating storm of hail and lightning. Pharaoh will once again choose stubbornness, passing a point of no return (Proverbs 29:1). For the remaining plagues (Exodus 10—12) and after (Exodus 14:4), Pharaoh will be a living example of the Lord's divine judgment (Exodus 4:21).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.

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