◄ Exodus 9:15 ►
For by this time I could have stretched out My hand and struck you and your people with a plague to wipe you off the earth.
Study Bible
For by now
This phrase indicates a specific point in time, suggesting that God has been patient and deliberate in His actions. The Hebrew word for "now" (עַתָּה, 'attah) often implies immediacy or the present moment. In the context of the plagues, it underscores God's restraint and the opportunity He has given Pharaoh to repent. Historically, this reflects God's long-suffering nature, as He provides multiple chances for repentance before executing judgment.

I could have stretched out My hand
The imagery of God stretching out His hand is a powerful expression of divine intervention and authority. In Hebrew, the word for "hand" (יָד, yad) symbolizes power and action. This phrase emphasizes God's sovereign ability to act decisively. Throughout Scripture, God's hand is often associated with deliverance or judgment, as seen in the deliverance of Israel from Egypt and the subsequent judgments on the Egyptians.

and struck you and your people
The word "struck" (נָכָה, nakah) in Hebrew conveys the idea of a decisive blow or affliction. This term is used throughout the Old Testament to describe acts of divine judgment. The inclusion of "your people" highlights the collective responsibility and consequence of Pharaoh's hardened heart. It serves as a reminder of the communal impact of leadership decisions, a theme prevalent in the historical narratives of the Bible.

with a plague
The term "plague" (דֶּבֶר, deber) refers to a severe affliction or pestilence. In the context of the Exodus narrative, plagues are divine instruments used to demonstrate God's power and to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites. Archaeologically, evidence of plagues and natural disasters in ancient Egypt provides a backdrop for understanding the historical plausibility of these events. Theologically, plagues serve as a means of divine communication and judgment.

to wipe you off the earth
This phrase conveys the totality of the potential destruction that God could have enacted. The Hebrew verb for "wipe off" (כָּלָה, kalah) means to complete or finish, often used in the context of annihilation. It underscores the seriousness of God's warning and the extent of His mercy in withholding such judgment. Scripturally, this reflects the theme of divine justice balanced with mercy, as God desires repentance rather than destruction.

Persons / Places / Events
1. God (Yahweh)
The sovereign Lord who speaks through Moses, demonstrating His power and authority over Egypt and its gods.

2. Pharaoh
The ruler of Egypt, whose heart is hardened against releasing the Israelites, serving as an instrument to display God's power.

3. Moses
The prophet and leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His message to Pharaoh.

4. Egypt
The land where the Israelites are enslaved, and the setting for the plagues that demonstrate God's power.

5. The Plagues
A series of divine judgments sent by God to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites, showcasing His might and sovereignty.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty and Power
God demonstrates His supreme authority over all creation, including the most powerful rulers and nations.

Divine Patience and Justice
Despite having the power to destroy, God shows patience, giving Pharaoh multiple opportunities to repent and obey.

The Purpose of Judgment
God's judgments serve a dual purpose: to punish the wicked and to reveal His glory and power to the world.

The Hardness of Heart
Pharaoh's hardened heart serves as a warning against resisting God's will and the consequences of pride and disobedience.

God's Faithfulness to His People
The plagues are a testament to God's commitment to His covenant with Israel, ensuring their deliverance and protection.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Exodus 9:15 illustrate God's sovereignty and power over human rulers and nations?

2. In what ways does God's patience with Pharaoh reflect His character, and how can we apply this understanding to our own lives?

3. How do the plagues in Egypt foreshadow the final judgments described in the book of Revelation?

4. What lessons can we learn from Pharaoh's hardened heart, and how can we guard against similar attitudes in our own spiritual walk?

5. How does God's faithfulness to Israel during the plagues encourage us to trust in His promises today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 12:3
God's promise to bless those who bless Abraham's descendants and curse those who curse them, highlighting the divine protection over Israel.

Romans 9:17
Paul references Pharaoh to illustrate God's sovereign purpose and power, showing that God raises leaders to fulfill His plans.

Psalm 105:27-36
A recounting of the plagues, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His covenant and His power over creation.

Revelation 16:1-21
The plagues in Revelation echo the plagues of Egypt, symbolizing God's ultimate judgment and justice.
Sermons
God to be Recognized in the Events of LifeChristian AgeExodus 9:13-16
Pharaoh Raised UpC. S. Robinson, D. D.Exodus 9:13-16
ReprobationN. Emmons, D. D.Exodus 9:13-16
The Divine Name as Manifested in the History of a Wicked and Rebellious SoulJ. S. Exell, M. A.Exodus 9:13-16
The Earth is the Lord's and the Fulness of itD. Young Exodus 9:13-16
The Plagues of EgyptJ. C. Gray.Exodus 9:13-16
Why Pharaoh was ExaltedJ. H. Norton, D. D.Exodus 9:13-16
Mercy in JudgmentJ. Urquhart Exodus 9:13-21
The Plague of HailJ. Orr Exodus 9:13-35
People
Aaron, Egyptians, Israelites, Moses, Pharaoh
Places
Egypt, Goshen
Topics
Cut, Forth, Full, Hadst, Hidden, Pestilence, Plague, Smite, Smitten, Stretch, Struck, Surely, Weight, Wiped
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 9:13-16

     8332   reputation

Exodus 9:13-18

     6708   predestination

Library
Confession of Sin --A Sermon with Seven Texts
The Hardened Sinner. PHARAOH--"I have sinned."--Exodus 9:27. I. The first case I shall bring before you is that of the HARDENED SINNER, who, when under terror, says, "I have sinned." And you will find the text in the book of Exodus, the 9th chap. and 27th verse: "And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the Lord is righteous, and I and my people are wicked." But why this confession from the lips of the haughty tyrant? He was not often wont to …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857

The God of the Old Testament is the God of the New
(Palm Sunday.) Exodus ix. 14. I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth. We are now beginning Passion Week, the week of the whole year which ought to teach us most theology; that is, most concerning God, his character and his spirit. For in this Passion Week God did that which utterly and perfectly showed forth his glory, as it never has been shown forth before or since. …
Charles Kingsley—The Gospel of the Pentateuch

The Plagues of Egypt
(Palm Sunday.) EXODUS ix. 13, 14. Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me. For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth. You will understand, I think, the meaning of the ten plagues of Egypt better, if I explain to you in a few words what kind of a country Egypt is, what kind of people the Egyptians were. Some of you, doubtless, …
Charles Kingsley—The Gospel of the Pentateuch

Sign Seekers, and the Enthusiast Reproved.
(Galilee on the Same Day as the Last Section.) ^A Matt. XII. 38-45; ^C Luke XI. 24-36. ^c 29 And when the multitudes were gathering together unto him, ^a 38 Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, Teacher, we would see a sign from thee. [Having been severely rebuked by Jesus, it is likely that the scribes and Pharisees asked for a sign that they might appear to the multitude more fair-minded and open to conviction than Jesus had represented them to be. Jesus had just wrought …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Hardening in the Sacred Scripture.
"He hath hardened their heart."-- John xii. 40. The Scripture teaches positively that the hardening and "darkening of their foolish heart" is a divine, intentional act. This is plainly evident from God's charge to Moses concerning the king of Egypt: "Thou shalt speak all that I command thee; and I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh shall not harken unto you, and I will lay My hand upon Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Sovereignty of God in Reprobation
"Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God" (Rom. 11:22). In the last chapter when treating of the Sovereignty of God the Father in Salvation, we examined seven passages which represent Him as making a choice from among the children of men, and predestinating certain ones to be conformed to the image of His Son. The thoughtful reader will naturally ask, And what of those who were not "ordained to eternal life?" The answer which is usually returned to this question, even by those who profess …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

Man's Misery by the Fall
Q-19: WHAT IS THE MISERY OF THAT ESTATE WHEREINTO MAN FELL? A: All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all the miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell for ever. 'And were by nature children of wrath.' Eph 2:2. Adam left an unhappy portion to his posterity, Sin and Misery. Having considered the first of these, original sin, we shall now advert to the misery of that state. In the first, we have seen mankind offending; …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Opposition to Messiah Ruinous
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel T here is a species of the sublime in writing, which seems peculiar to the Scripture, and of which, properly, no subjects but those of divine revelation are capable, With us, things inconsiderable in themselves are elevated by splendid images, which give them an apparent importance beyond what they can justly claim. Thus the poet, when describing a battle among bees, by a judicious selection of epithets …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Exposition of Chap. Iii. (ii. 28-32. )
Ver. 1. "And it shall come to pass, afterwards, I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions." The communication of the Spirit of God was the constant prerogative of the Covenant-people. Indeed, the very idea of such a people necessarily requires it. For the Spirit of God is the only inward bond betwixt Him and that which is created; a Covenant-people, therefore, without such an inward …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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