Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Take handfuls of soot from the furnace; in the sight of Pharaoh, Moses is to toss it into the air. Then the LORD saidThis phrase underscores the direct communication between God and His chosen leaders, Moses and Aaron. The Hebrew word for "LORD" here is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal presence and faithfulness. This divine instruction highlights the ongoing relationship and dialogue between God and His people, reminding us of His sovereignty and the importance of obedience to His commands. to Moses and Aaron
Moses and Aaron are central figures in the Exodus narrative, representing God's chosen instruments for delivering Israel from bondage. Moses, the prophet and leader, and Aaron, the high priest, together symbolize the unity of God's prophetic and priestly roles. Their partnership reflects the necessity of collaboration in fulfilling God's purposes, as well as the importance of leadership that is both divinely appointed and obedient. Take handfuls of soot from a furnace
The act of taking soot from a furnace is rich in symbolism. The furnace, often associated with oppression and slavery, particularly in the context of Egypt, represents the harsh conditions the Israelites endured. The Hebrew word for "soot" can also imply ash or dust, symbolizing judgment and destruction. This act foreshadows the impending plagues as a divine response to Pharaoh's hardened heart, illustrating God's power to transform symbols of oppression into instruments of liberation. and in the sight of Pharaoh
Performing this act "in the sight of Pharaoh" serves as a public demonstration of God's power and authority over Egypt. It is a direct challenge to Pharaoh's perceived divinity and control, emphasizing that the true God of Israel is sovereign over all nations. This public display is intended to confront Pharaoh's pride and to serve as a witness to the Egyptian people of God's might and justice. Moses is to toss it into the air
The action of tossing soot into the air signifies the spread and inevitability of the coming plague. It symbolizes how God's judgment will permeate the land of Egypt, affecting all who oppose His will. This act of tossing also reflects the prophetic nature of Moses' role, as he enacts God's commands to bring about His divine purposes. It serves as a reminder of the power of faith and obedience in the face of adversity, encouraging believers to trust in God's ultimate plan for deliverance and justice. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORDThe covenant name of God, Yahweh, who is orchestrating the events to demonstrate His power and sovereignty over Egypt and its gods. 2. MosesThe prophet and leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egyptian bondage. 3. AaronMoses' brother and spokesperson, who assists Moses in confronting Pharaoh and performing signs. 4. PharaohThe ruler of Egypt, whose heart is hardened against letting the Israelites go, serving as an antagonist in the account. 5. FurnaceA place where soot is collected, symbolizing the labor and oppression of the Israelites in Egypt, as well as a tool for God's judgment. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and PowerThe act of taking soot and turning it into a plague demonstrates God's control over creation and His ability to use simple elements to fulfill His purposes. Symbolism of Soot and FurnaceThe soot from the furnace represents the oppression of the Israelites and becomes a tool of judgment against Egypt, showing that God can turn the instruments of oppression into instruments of justice. Obedience to God's CommandsMoses and Aaron's obedience in performing God's instructions serves as a model for believers to trust and obey God's commands, even when they seem unusual or challenging. Hardened Hearts and Divine JudgmentPharaoh's hardened heart serves as a warning about the dangers of resisting God's will and the inevitable consequences of such resistance. God's Deliverance and FaithfulnessThe plagues are part of God's plan to deliver His people, reminding believers of God's faithfulness to His promises and His power to save. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the act of tossing soot into the air demonstrate God's power and authority over Egypt and its gods? 2. In what ways does the symbolism of the furnace and soot relate to the oppression of the Israelites and God's deliverance? 3. How can Moses and Aaron's obedience to God's unusual command encourage us in our own walk of faith? 4. What lessons can we learn from Pharaoh's hardened heart about the consequences of resisting God's will? 5. How does the account of the plagues in Exodus connect to the themes of judgment and deliverance found in other parts of the Bible, such as Revelation? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 15:13-14God's prophecy to Abraham about his descendants being enslaved and oppressed, which sets the stage for the events in Exodus. Exodus 7:14-11:10 The broader account of the plagues, showing a pattern of God's judgment and Pharaoh's hardened heart. Revelation 16:2The plagues in Revelation echo the plagues in Exodus, demonstrating God's judgment and the call to repentance. People Aaron, Egyptians, Israelites, Moses, PharaohPlaces Egypt, GoshenTopics Aaron, Air, Ashes, Dust, Fire, Fulness, Furnace, Handfuls, Hands, Heaven, Heavens, Heavenward, Kiln, Pharaoh, Presence, Scatter, Shower, Sight, Sky, Soot, Sprinkle, Sprinkled, Throw, Toss, Towards, YourselvesDictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 9:8 5321 furnace Exodus 9:8-10 5297 disease 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 9:8 NIVExodus 9:8 NLTExodus 9:8 ESVExodus 9:8 NASBExodus 9:8 KJV
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