Overview:

Exodus 9 describes the escalation of God’s judgment on Egypt through the continuation of the plagues. The fifth, sixth, and seventh plagues strike with increasing severity, affecting Egypt’s livestock, people, and crops. Pharaoh’s heart continues to harden, even as the suffering of Egypt worsens. The plagues in this chapter include the death of livestock, festering boils, and a devastating hailstorm.

Each plague targets different aspects of Egyptian society, challenging their gods and the power of Pharaoh. Despite these clear demonstrations of God’s power, Pharaoh’s heart remains hard, except for brief moments of apparent repentance, which are quickly followed by renewed defiance. The chapter highlights themes of God’s sovereignty, the consequences of rebellion against Him, and the protection God offers to His covenant people.

The intensifying judgment emphasizes that God will not relent in His purpose to free the Israelites and establish His supremacy over Egypt and its gods. Pharaoh’s refusal to yield in the face of such devastation demonstrates the hardness of his heart and foreshadows the even greater judgments to come.

Historical and Literary Context:

Exodus 9 continues the narrative of the ten plagues, focusing on the fifth, sixth, and seventh plagues. Each plague serves as a direct challenge to the gods of Egypt and their economic, agricultural, and religious systems. The death of livestock strikes at the heart of Egypt’s agricultural economy and challenges deities associated with cattle, such as Hathor and Apis. The boils plague affects both people and animals, rendering the Egyptian priests unclean and unable to perform religious duties. The hail plague devastates Egypt’s crops and trees, undermining its food supply and further eroding the nation’s confidence in their gods.

The structure of this chapter follows a familiar pattern seen in earlier plagues: God commands Moses to confront Pharaoh, Pharaoh refuses, the plague strikes, Pharaoh relents momentarily but soon hardens his heart again. This pattern reveals Pharaoh’s insincerity and increasing defiance, as well as the escalating severity of God’s judgments.

Key Themes and Doctrinal Points:

God’s Judgment Against Sin and Idolatry:

The plagues in Exodus 9 are judgments against Egypt’s sin, idolatry, and oppression of God’s people. They demonstrate that God’s justice cannot be ignored, and His judgment is unavoidable for those who oppose Him.

“For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth. 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” (Exodus 9:15-16).

God’s purpose is not only to free the Israelites but also to reveal His power and make His name known throughout the earth. His judgment on Egypt is both an act of justice and a demonstration of His supremacy over all creation.

The Hardening of Pharaoh’s Heart:

Pharaoh’s repeated hardening of his heart, despite the increasingly severe plagues, illustrates the destructive nature of pride and rebellion against God. His refusal to submit to God’s authority brings devastating consequences not only for himself but for all of Egypt.

“But Pharaoh’s heart was unyielding, and he would not let the people go” (Exodus 9:7).

This theme of a hardened heart serves as a warning against resisting God’s will. Pharaoh’s heart grows harder with each plague, illustrating the danger of continually rejecting God’s call to repentance.

God’s Protection of His People:

Throughout the plagues, God distinguishes between Egypt and Israel, sparing the Israelites from the suffering that befalls their oppressors. This theme of divine protection reinforces God’s covenant faithfulness to His people.

“The only place it did not hail was the land of Goshen, where the Israelites were” (Exodus 9:26).

God’s protection over His people in Goshen demonstrates His care for them, even as He brings judgment upon Egypt. This distinction between God’s people and the world highlights the benefits of being under God’s covenant protection.

The Power of God Over Creation:

Each plague in Exodus 9 demonstrates God’s power over creation. The livestock die, boils afflict humans and animals, and hail destroys crops. These plagues show that God is not only the Creator but also the One who controls all of nature.

“The Lord will send a very heavy hail, such as has never been in Egypt from the day it was founded until now” (Exodus 9:18).

This control over nature illustrates God’s authority over all the elements, underscoring that nothing in creation is outside His dominion.

Verse-by-Verse Analysis:

Exodus 9:1-3:

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me. If you refuse to let them go and continue to hold them back, the hand of the Lord will bring a terrible plague on your livestock in the field—on your horses, donkeys and camels and on your cattle, sheep and goats.’”

Moses again confronts Pharaoh with God’s demand to release the Israelites, warning of a plague on the livestock if Pharaoh refuses. The specificity of the animals—horses, donkeys, camels, cattle, sheep, and goats—reflects the economic and agricultural devastation that the plague will bring.

Exodus 9:4-7:

“But the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and that of Egypt, so that no animal belonging to the Israelites will die.” The Lord set a time and said, “Tomorrow the Lord will do this in the land.” And the next day the Lord did it: All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one animal belonging to the Israelites died. Pharaoh sent men to investigate and found that not even one of the animals of the Israelites had died. Yet his heart was unyielding and he would not let the people go.

God makes a clear distinction between the livestock of the Egyptians and that of the Israelites, emphasizing His protection of His people. Despite the total loss of Egyptian livestock, Pharaoh’s heart remains hardened, and he refuses to let the Israelites go.

Exodus 9:8-12:

Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Take handfuls of soot from a furnace and have Moses toss it into the air in the presence of Pharaoh. It will become fine dust over the whole land of Egypt, and festering boils will break out on people and animals throughout the land.” So they took soot from a furnace and stood before Pharaoh. Moses tossed it into the air, and festering boils broke out on people and animals. The magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils that were on them and on all the Egyptians. But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had said to Moses.

The sixth plague brings boils upon both humans and animals. The fact that the Egyptian magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils highlights their powerlessness in the face of God’s judgment. This plague renders the Egyptians, particularly the priests, unclean and unable to perform their religious duties. Despite the severity of this affliction, Pharaoh’s heart remains hardened, illustrating the depth of his defiance.

Exodus 9:13-17:

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Get up early in the morning, confront Pharaoh and say to him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me, or this time I will send the full force of my plagues against you and against your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no one like me in all the earth. For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth. 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.’”

God warns Pharaoh that if he continues to resist, the next plague will bring even greater destruction. God’s statement that He could have wiped out Egypt completely but chose instead to display His power through Pharaoh underscores His sovereignty and purpose in allowing Pharaoh’s defiance. This confrontation becomes a global demonstration of God’s supremacy, showing that His name will be proclaimed throughout the earth.

Exodus 9:18-21:

“Therefore, at this time tomorrow I will send the worst hailstorm that has ever fallen on Egypt, from the day it was founded till now. Give an order now to bring your livestock and everything you have in the field to a place of shelter, because the hail will fall on every person and animal that has not been brought in and is still out in the field, and they will die.” Those officials of Pharaoh who feared the word of the Lord hurried to bring their slaves and their livestock inside. But those who ignored the word of the Lord left their slaves and livestock in the field.

The seventh plague is a devastating hailstorm, described as the worst in Egypt’s history. Interestingly, God gives a warning, allowing those who fear Him to take shelter for their livestock and slaves. This reveals God’s mercy, even in judgment, offering an opportunity for individuals to respond in faith. The response of Pharaoh’s officials, with some fearing the Lord and others ignoring His warning, demonstrates that while judgment is certain, the choice to respond to God’s word still remains.

Exodus 9:22-26:

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that hail will fall all over Egypt—on people and animals and on everything growing in the fields of Egypt.” When Moses stretched out his staff toward the sky, the Lord sent thunder and hail, and lightning flashed down to the ground. So the Lord rained hail on the land of Egypt; hail fell and lightning flashed back and forth. It was the worst storm in all the land of Egypt since it had become a nation. Throughout Egypt hail struck everything in the fields—both people and animals; it beat down everything growing in the fields and stripped every tree. The only place it did not hail was the land of Goshen, where the Israelites were.

The hailstorm strikes Egypt with devastating force, destroying crops, animals, and even trees. However, once again, the land of Goshen is spared, highlighting God’s protection of His people. The severity of this plague shows the power of God’s judgment, while the sparing of Israel demonstrates His faithfulness to His covenant.

Exodus 9:27-30:

Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron. “This time I have sinned,” he said to them. “The Lord is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong. Pray to the Lord, for we have had enough thunder and hail. I will let you go; you don’t have to stay any longer.” Moses replied, “When I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to the Lord. The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the Lord’s. But I know that you and your officials still do not fear the Lord God.”

Pharaoh’s acknowledgment of sin seems like genuine repentance, but Moses recognizes that it is insincere. Although Pharaoh admits that he and his people are in the wrong, his heart remains unchanged. Moses’ prayer to stop the plague serves to demonstrate God’s mercy, but he knows that Pharaoh’s repentance is only temporary.

Exodus 9:31-35:

(The flax and barley were destroyed, since the barley had headed and the flax was in bloom. The wheat and spelt, however, were not destroyed, because they ripen later.) Then Moses left Pharaoh and went out of the city. He spread out his hands toward the Lord; the thunder and hail stopped, and the rain no longer poured down on the land. When Pharaoh saw that the rain and hail and thunder had stopped, he sinned again: He and his officials hardened their hearts. So Pharaoh’s heart was hard and he would not let the Israelites go, just as the Lord had said through Moses.

The chapter closes with Pharaoh once again hardening his heart after the plague is lifted. Although the destruction of Egypt’s crops is extensive, some crops are spared, setting the stage for further judgment. Pharaoh’s repeated defiance shows that despite witnessing God’s power and judgment, he refuses to submit to God’s authority.

Theological Implications and Connection to Jesus Christ:

Exodus 9 highlights the themes of God’s sovereignty, judgment, and mercy, all of which are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Just as God judged Egypt for its sin and oppression, Christ will one day return to judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31). The distinction between Egypt and Israel in the plagues mirrors the separation between those who are in Christ and those who are not. Just as Israel was spared from the plagues, believers in Christ are spared from the ultimate judgment of sin (Romans 8:1).

Pharaoh’s hardened heart parallels the rejection of Christ by the religious leaders in the New Testament. Despite witnessing His miracles and hearing His teaching, many refused to repent and submit to His lordship. Christ’s warnings about the hardness of the human heart call us to humble ourselves and respond to His call before it is too late (Hebrews 3:7-8).

Sermon Outline and Flow:

1. Introduction: The Escalating Judgment on Egypt
   • Set the context for the fifth, sixth, and seventh plagues and their significance in the narrative.
   • Introduce the themes of judgment, mercy, and hard-heartedness in Pharaoh’s response to God.
2. Point 1: God’s Judgment Against Sin
   • Discuss how each plague is a demonstration of God’s judgment against Egypt’s idolatry and oppression.
   • Application: Just as God judged Egypt, He will one day judge the world in righteousness. How should we respond?
3. Point 2: The Hardening of the Human Heart
   • Explore the theme of Pharaoh’s hardening heart and the consequences of resisting God’s will.
   • Application: How can we guard our hearts from becoming hardened like Pharaoh’s?
4. Point 3: God’s Protection of His People
   • Highlight God’s protection of Israel in the land of Goshen and how this foreshadows the protection believers have in Christ.
   • Application: As believers, we are under God’s covenant protection. How does this shape our view of His judgment and mercy?

Illustrations and Examples:

• Use a modern example of someone who resisted God’s call and the consequences they faced, contrasted with someone who responded to God’s mercy and saw transformation.
• Share a personal story of experiencing God’s protection or mercy in a situation where judgment seemed inevitable.

Application for Today’s Christian:

Exodus 9 reminds Christians of God’s sovereignty and the seriousness of His judgment against sin. While Pharaoh hardened his heart, we are called to humble ourselves before God and respond to His call for repentance. This chapter also encourages believers to trust in God’s covenant protection, knowing that in Christ, we are spared from the ultimate judgment of sin. As we reflect on the plagues and Pharaoh’s defiance, we are reminded of the importance of submitting to God’s will and living in obedience to His commands.

Connection to the Father in Exodus 9:

God the Father’s justice and mercy are both on display in this chapter. His judgments against Egypt demonstrate His holiness and His intolerance of sin, while His protection of Israel reflects His covenant love and faithfulness. God’s purpose in allowing the plagues is not only to deliver Israel but also to reveal His power to the world, making His name known among the nations.

Connection to Jesus Christ in Exodus 9:

The plagues foreshadow the ultimate judgment that Christ will bring at His second coming, when He will judge the world in righteousness (Revelation 19:11-16). Just as God delivered Israel from Egypt through judgment, Christ delivers His people from the bondage of sin through His death and resurrection. Pharaoh’s hard-heartedness mirrors the rejection of Christ by those who refuse to acknowledge His lordship, reminding us of the need to submit to Jesus as Lord before the final judgment.

Connection to the Holy Spirit in Exodus 9:

The Holy Spirit works to soften hearts and bring conviction of sin, in contrast to the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. Just as Pharaoh resisted God’s call to release the Israelites, people today can resist the Spirit’s work in their lives. The Spirit calls us to repentance and empowers us to live in obedience to God, enabling us to avoid the fate of Pharaoh and embrace God’s grace.

Connection to God’s Love in Exodus 9:

God’s love is seen in His protection of Israel during the plagues. Despite the increasing judgment on Egypt, God spares His covenant people, demonstrating His faithfulness to His promises. This love is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who shields believers from the wrath of God by taking the punishment for sin upon Himself. The distinction between Egypt and Israel foreshadows the separation between those who are in Christ and those who are not, with God’s love extending to all who trust in His Son.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does Exodus 9 demonstrate the seriousness of God’s judgment against sin, and how should this shape our understanding of His justice?
2. In what ways can we guard our hearts from becoming hardened like Pharaoh’s, and how does the Holy Spirit help us in this?
3. How does the distinction between Egypt and Israel in the plagues foreshadow the protection we receive through Christ?
4. What can we learn from Pharaoh’s insincere repentance, and how can we ensure that our repentance is genuine before God?
5. How does this chapter encourage us to trust in God’s mercy and protection, even when we face difficult circumstances?