but those who disregarded the word of the LORD left their servants and livestock in the field. but those who disregardedThis phrase highlights a critical attitude of the heart—disregard. The Hebrew root for "disregarded" is "lo' sam," which means to not set or place, indicating a willful neglect or refusal to heed. In the context of the plagues, this disregard is not merely passive ignorance but an active choice to ignore divine warning. Historically, this reflects the hardened hearts of the Egyptians, who, despite witnessing previous plagues, chose to ignore the clear evidence of God's power. This serves as a cautionary tale for believers today, emphasizing the importance of heeding God's word and warnings. the word of the LORD
The "word of the LORD" is a powerful phrase that signifies divine communication. In Hebrew, "dabar YHWH" conveys not just spoken words but the authoritative command of God. This is not merely advice or suggestion; it is the sovereign decree of the Creator. Throughout Scripture, the word of the LORD is depicted as living and active, capable of bringing about creation, judgment, and salvation. For the Egyptians, ignoring this word meant choosing to remain under judgment. For believers, it underscores the necessity of aligning one's life with God's revealed will. left their servants and livestock in the field
This phrase illustrates the tangible consequences of disregarding God's word. The Hebrew verb "azab," translated as "left," implies abandonment or forsaking. By leaving their servants and livestock in the field, the Egyptians demonstrated a lack of concern for the well-being of those under their care, as well as their own economic interests. This decision reflects a broader spiritual blindness and stubbornness. Archaeologically, livestock was a significant asset in ancient Egypt, essential for agriculture and trade. Thus, this act of leaving them exposed to the impending plague of hail (as described in the surrounding verses) reveals a profound misjudgment of priorities. For contemporary believers, it serves as a reminder to prioritize obedience to God over material concerns, trusting in His provision and protection. Persons / Places / Events 1. PharaohThe ruler of Egypt who hardened his heart against God's commands delivered through Moses. 2. MosesThe prophet and leader chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. 3. EgyptThe land where the Israelites were enslaved and where God demonstrated His power through the plagues. 4. The PlaguesA series of divine judgments sent by God upon Egypt, with the seventh being the plague of hail. 5. The IsraelitesGod's chosen people, who were living in Egypt and were the intended recipients of God's deliverance. Teaching Points The Importance of Heeding God's WordIgnoring God's warnings leads to destruction. We must be attentive and responsive to His instructions. Faith and ObedienceTrue faith is demonstrated through obedience. Those who believed God's word acted to protect their servants and livestock. Consequences of DisregardDisregarding God's word results in tangible consequences, as seen in the loss suffered by those who left their servants and livestock in the field. God's Sovereignty and MercyEven in judgment, God provides a way of escape for those who will listen and obey. The Role of LeadershipLeaders have a responsibility to heed God's warnings and protect those under their care. Bible Study Questions 1. What does the response of the Egyptians to God's warning reveal about human nature and the tendency to ignore divine instruction? 2. How can we apply the lesson of heeding God's warnings in our daily lives, especially when faced with difficult decisions? 3. In what ways does the account of the plagues in Egypt demonstrate God's sovereignty and justice? 4. How does the concept of obedience in this passage connect with Jesus' teachings in the New Testament? 5. Reflect on a time when you either heeded or ignored a warning from God. What were the outcomes, and what did you learn from the experience? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 19:14Similar to Lot's sons-in-law who disregarded the warning of impending destruction, those in Egypt who ignored God's warning faced dire consequences. Proverbs 1:24-33This passage speaks to the folly of ignoring wisdom and the consequences that follow, paralleling the Egyptians' disregard for God's warning. Matthew 7:24-27Jesus' parable of the wise and foolish builders highlights the importance of acting on God's word, akin to the Egyptians' choice to heed or ignore the warning. People Aaron, Egyptians, Israelites, Moses, PharaohPlaces Egypt, GoshenTopics Attention, Bondmen, Cattle, Didn't, Field, Heart, Kept, Leaveth, Livestock, Paid, Regard, Regarded, Respect, Servants, SlavesDictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 9:21 5885 indifference Exodus 9:18-33 4828 hail Exodus 9:20-21 1690 word of God 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: 1857The 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 Links Exodus 9:21 NIVExodus 9:21 NLTExodus 9:21 ESVExodus 9:21 NASBExodus 9:21 KJV
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