Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward heaven, so that hail may fall on all the land of Egypt--on man and beast and every plant of the field throughout the land of Egypt." Then the LORD said to MosesThis phrase introduces the divine authority behind the actions that are about to unfold. The Hebrew name for "LORD" here is "Yahweh," which signifies the covenantal God of Israel, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. This is a reminder of God's sovereignty and His direct communication with Moses, His chosen leader. Historically, this underscores the unique relationship between God and Moses, as Moses serves as the intermediary between God and the Israelites. Stretch out your hand toward the sky
The act of stretching out one's hand is symbolic of invoking divine power. In the ancient Near Eastern context, gestures were often used to signify authority and command. Moses' action is not just a physical gesture but a demonstration of obedience and faith in God's power to perform miracles. The sky, or "heavens," in Hebrew thought, is often associated with God's domain, further emphasizing that the forthcoming plague is an act of divine intervention. so that hail will fall all over the land of Egypt—
Hail, in the biblical context, is a manifestation of God's judgment. The Hebrew word for hail, "barad," indicates a severe and destructive force. This plague is not just a natural phenomenon but a targeted act of judgment against Egypt, demonstrating God's power over creation. Historically, Egypt was a land that relied heavily on predictable weather patterns for agriculture, and such a disruption would have been catastrophic, challenging the Egyptian deities associated with weather and fertility. on man and beast and every plant of the field throughout the land of Egypt
This phrase highlights the comprehensive nature of the plague. The inclusion of "man and beast and every plant" signifies total devastation, affecting all aspects of Egyptian life. In the Hebrew worldview, this reflects the completeness of God's judgment, sparing nothing in its path. The mention of "every plant of the field" also serves as a direct challenge to the Egyptian god of vegetation, further illustrating the futility of their idols in the face of Yahweh's power. This comprehensive destruction serves as a call to repentance and recognition of the one true God. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who demonstrates His power and sovereignty over creation and the false gods of Egypt. 2. MosesThe chosen leader and prophet of Israel, acting as God's representative to Pharaoh and the Egyptians. 3. PharaohThe ruler of Egypt, whose heart is hardened against releasing the Israelites, leading to the plagues. 4. EgyptThe land where the Israelites are enslaved, experiencing God's judgment through the plagues. 5. The Plague of HailThe seventh plague, a demonstration of God's power over nature, affecting all of Egypt except the land of Goshen where the Israelites reside. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over NatureThe plague of hail demonstrates God's control over the natural world, affirming His power and authority over all creation. The Consequences of DisobediencePharaoh's refusal to heed God's command results in severe consequences, reminding us of the importance of obedience to God's will. Protection for God's PeopleWhile Egypt suffers, the Israelites in Goshen are spared, illustrating God's protection and care for His people. The Hardness of HeartPharaoh's hardened heart serves as a warning against resisting God's call and the dangers of pride and stubbornness. God's Purpose in JudgmentThe plagues serve a dual purpose: to demonstrate God's power and to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites, showing that God's judgments are purposeful and redemptive. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the plague of hail demonstrate God's sovereignty over creation, and what does this teach us about His power in our lives today? 2. In what ways can we see the consequences of disobedience in our own lives, and how can we learn from Pharaoh's example? 3. How does God's protection of the Israelites in Goshen encourage us to trust in His care and provision? 4. What are some areas in our lives where we might be resisting God's call, and how can we avoid the hardness of heart seen in Pharaoh? 5. How can understanding the purpose behind God's judgments help us to better comprehend His character and His plans for redemption? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 19The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah with fire and brimstone parallels the destructive power of the hail, showcasing God's judgment. Psalm 78This psalm recounts the plagues of Egypt, emphasizing God's mighty acts and the consequences of disobedience. Revelation 16The plagues in Revelation echo the plagues of Egypt, highlighting God's ultimate judgment and sovereignty. People Aaron, Egyptians, Israelites, Moses, PharaohPlaces Egypt, GoshenTopics Animal, Animals, Beast, Cattle, Egypt, Fall, Field, Fields, Forth, Growing, Hail, Heaven, Heavens, Herb, Ice-storm, Plant, Sky, Stretch, Stretched, Throughout, TowardsDictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 9:22 1653 numbers, 6-10 Exodus 9:18-33 4828 hail Exodus 9:22-23 4272 sky Exodus 9:22-24 4512 staff Exodus 9:22-25 4605 animals, religious role Exodus 9:22-26 4843 plague
4855 weather, God's judgment Exodus 9:22-32 4456 grain 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 9:22 NIVExodus 9:22 NLTExodus 9:22 ESVExodus 9:22 NASBExodus 9:22 KJV
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