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Exodus 9 The Plague of Darkness and the Passover

1 The Plague on Livestock
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.”

2 If you refuse to let them go and continue to hold them back,

3 the hand of the Lord will bring a terrible plague on your livestock in the field—on your horses and donkeys and camels and on your cattle and sheep and goats.

4 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.’”

5 The Lord set a time and said, “Tomorrow the Lord will do this in the land.”

6 And the next day the Lord did it: All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one animal belonging to the Israelites died.

7 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.

8 The Plague of Boils
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.

9 It will become fine dust over the whole land of Egypt, and festering boils will break out on men and animals throughout the land.”

10 So they took soot from a furnace and stood before Pharaoh. Moses tossed it into the air, and festering boils broke out on men and animals.

11 The magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils that were on them and on all the Egyptians.

12 But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had said to Moses.

13 The Plague of Hail
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,

14 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.

15 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.

16 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.

17 You still set yourself against my people and will not let them go.

18 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.

19 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 man and animal that has not been brought in and is still out in the field, and they will die.’”

20 Those officials of Pharaoh who feared the word of the Lord hurried to bring their slaves and their livestock inside.

21 But those who ignored the word of the Lord left their slaves and livestock in the field.

22 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that hail will fall all over Egypt—on men and animals and on everything growing in the fields of Egypt.”

23 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;

24 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.

25 Throughout Egypt hail struck everything in the fields—both men and animals; it beat down everything growing in the fields and stripped every tree.

26 The only place it did not hail was the land of Goshen, where the Israelites were.

27 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.

28 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.”

29 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.

30 But I know that you and your officials still do not fear the Lord God.”

31 (The flax and barley were destroyed, since the barley had headed and the flax was in bloom.

32 The wheat and spelt, however, were not destroyed, because they ripen later.)

33 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.

34 When Pharaoh saw that the rain and hail and thunder had stopped, he sinned again: He and his officials hardened their hearts.

35 So Pharaoh’s heart was hard and he would not let the Israelites go, just as the Lord had said through Moses.

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Analysis of Exodus Chapter 9

The ninth chapter of the Book of Exodus continues with the narrative of the plagues that God sends upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage. This chapter describes three devastating plagues: the death of the livestock, the plague of boils, and the plague of hail. Each plague serves as a dramatic representation of God’s power and a demonstration of the futility of Pharaoh’s resistance against God’s will. The chapter can be divided into three primary sections, corresponding to each plague.

The Plague of Livestock (Exodus 9:1-7)

In verses 1-7, God instructs Moses to go to Pharaoh and deliver a message: “Let my people go, that they may serve me.” If Pharaoh refuses, God will send a grievous murrain (a deadly disease) upon the livestock of Egypt, excluding the livestock of the Israelites.

This plague is significant for several reasons:

  • Economic Devastation: Livestock represented a critical component of the Egyptian economy, providing food, transportation, and labor. The death of the livestock would have had severe economic consequences, underscoring the extent of Egypt’s suffering and the power of God.
  • Religious Implications: Livestock were also integral to Egyptian religious practices. Cattle, in particular, were sacred to the goddess Hathor. The plague on livestock symbolized a direct affront to the Egyptian deities, reinforcing the narrative that the God of Israel is superior to the gods of Egypt.
  • Divine Differentiation: The distinction made between the livestock of the Egyptians and that of the Israelites highlights the special status of God’s chosen people. It conveys the message that obedience to God brings protection and blessings, while defiance invites disaster.

In verse 7, Pharaoh investigates and finds that none of the livestock of the Israelites had died, yet he remains obstinate. This sets the stage for the subsequent plagues, emphasizing Pharaoh’s hardness of heart.

The Plague of Boils (Exodus 9:8-12)

The plague of boils is described in verses 8-12. God instructs Moses and Aaron to take handfuls of soot from a kiln and throw it into the air before Pharaoh. The soot will turn into fine dust over the land of Egypt, causing boils and sores to break out on people and animals.

Several aspects of this plague are noteworthy:

  • Physical Affliction: Unlike the previous plagues that targeted resources, this plague directly affects the bodies of the Egyptians. The physical pain and suffering from the boils represent a more personal form of divine judgment, illustrating the severity of God’s wrath.
  • Symbolic Elements: The use of soot from a kiln, a place associated with intense heat and labor, may symbolize the oppression and suffering that the Israelites endured while enslaved in Egypt. The spreading boils serve as a physical manifestation of the Egyptians’ moral and spiritual corruption.
  • Inability of Magicians: Verse 11 reveals that the magicians of Egypt could not stand before Moses because of the boils. This signifies the impotence of Egypt’s magicians and further validates Moses’ divine commission. It marks a transition in the narrative where even Pharaoh’s advisors begin to succumb to God’s power.

Despite the severity of the plague, verse 12 notes that the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he refused to heed Moses and Aaron. This hardening of Pharaoh’s heart becomes a recurring theme, demonstrating both Pharaoh’s stubbornness and the fulfillment of God’s will.

The Plague of Hail (Exodus 9:13-35)

The plague of hail, detailed in verses 13-35, is one of the most dramatic and destructive plagues. God commands Moses to confront Pharaoh early in the morning, reiterating the demand to let the Israelites go so they may serve Him. God warns that He will send a severe hailstorm, unlike anything Egypt has experienced.

This section of the chapter is rich with theological and symbolic meaning:

  • Divine Authority: In verses 14-16, God declares His intention to show His power and make His name known throughout the earth. The plagues are not merely punitive but are designed to reveal God’s sovereignty and compel acknowledgment of His supremacy. Verse 16 specifically states, “But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.”
  • Human Response: The narrative notes a differentiation in response among the Egyptians. Some heed the warning and bring their livestock and servants indoors, while others ignore it. This distinction in responses foreshadows the eventual division between those who acknowledge God’s authority and those who rebel against it. It also underscores the agency of individuals within the broader narrative of divine judgment.
  • Destruction and Despair: The hailstorm causes extensive devastation, destroying crops, trees, and livestock left in the fields. The description emphasizes the completeness of the destruction, with verses 25-26 noting that the entire land is affected except for the region of Goshen, where the Israelites live. This selective impact reaffirms the protective covenant between God and His people.
  • Pharaoh’s Reaction: For the first time, Pharaoh appears to relent, admitting in verse 27, “This time I have sinned; the Lord is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong.” He agrees to let the Israelites go and asks Moses to entreat the Lord on his behalf. However, once the hail ceases, Pharaoh reneges on his promise, demonstrating the transient nature of his repentance. This vacillation highlights the depth of Pharaoh’s obstinance and the cyclical pattern of defiance and judgment.

The Theological Significance

Analyzing Exodus Chapter 9 within the broader theological context reveals several key themes:

  • The Sovereignty of God: Each plague amplifies the theme of God’s undisputed sovereignty. These miraculous events clearly convey that God controls every aspect of creation, from natural phenomena like weather to the well-being of individual creatures and humans.
  • Judgment and Mercy: While the plagues are undeniably acts of judgment upon Egypt, they also contain elements of mercy. The repeated warnings and opportunities for Pharaoh to repent illustrate God’s patience and His willingness to relent in response to genuine repentance. However, they also emphasize that continued defiance leads to greater suffering.
  • Covenant and Protection: The differentiation between the Egyptians and the Israelites in the impact of the plagues substantiates God’s covenant relationship with His chosen people. It provides a clear visual representation of divine favor and protection, reinforcing the message that God is faithful to those who obey Him.

Implications for Contemporary Readers

Exodus Chapter 9 offers several insights applicable to contemporary readers:

  • The Consequences of Disobedience: The progressive nature of the plagues serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences that follow persistent disobedience against divine will. The chapter encourages readers to introspect on areas of resistance in their own lives and to seek alignment with God’s purpose.
  • The Power of Repentance: Although Pharaoh’s repentance is shown to be insincere, the narrative underscores the potential for transformation that lies in genuine repentance. For modern readers, it highlights the importance of authentic remorse and the opportunity for reconciliation with God.
  • Resilience Through Faith: The Israelites’ preservation amid widespread calamity exemplifies the strength and resilience that come from faith in God. This theme resonates with individuals facing trials, affirming that trust in God can provide shelter and deliverance in times of adversity.

In conclusion, Exodus Chapter 9 is a rich and layered text that advances the narrative of divine intervention and human resistance. Its detailed depiction of the plagues offers deep insights into the nature of God’s justice and mercy, the consequences of defiance, and the power of faith. Through its exploration of these themes, the chapter continues to speak to readers today, offering lessons that are both timeless and timely.