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J. Vernon McGee · Citado em PreceptAustin
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Vernon McGee adds "Egypt is essentially a land of little rain. The average is less than an inch (ED: Actually more like 2-3 inches) in one year. God tells them that they are going to have rain—but a kind they can do without." (Exodus 9) Cassuto - The hail, a phenomenon that occurs in Egypt only at rare intervals, will be so severe, as to merit the description: such as never has been in Egypt from the day it was founded until now. (A Commentary on the Book of Exodus) Currid on not been seen in Egypt from the day it was founded (yasad) until now - The intensity of the storm is further highlighted by the statement that such a hailstorm had never been seen in Egypt since its inception. That announcement, Cassuto has pointed out, reflects a common Egyptian expression of the time. Pharaohs such as Thutmosis III would assert that they had done something greater ‘than all the things that were in the country since it was founded’. Yahweh employs the same idiom to demonstrate his power over any natural phenomena that had ever been experienced in the land of Egypt. It is critical to remember that the Egyptians believed their gods to be personified in the elements of nature. The catastrophe of the hail was therefore a mockery of the Egyptian heavenly deities, including Nut (the female representative of the sky and personification of the vault of heaven), Shu (the supporter of the heavens who holds up the sky) and Tefnut (the goddess of moisture). (Exodus Commentary) Mattoon - Egypt's fish and meat have been demolished severely. Attention now has been focused upon the crops and vegetation. The Lord warns Pharaoh that the Mother of All Storms is coming. God's message was, "Pharaoh hasn't seen anything like it. Judgment is coming to you." Could this be avoided? Yes, if Pharaoh would obey. God gives him plenty of time to obey and prepare for what was coming to the land. • In mercy, the Lord warned Pharaoh. • In mercy, He warned the world in Noah's day that judgment was coming. • In mercy, He warned Ninevah. • In mercy, He has warned us of the return of Christ and the flames of Hell. Beloved, when God warns about Hell, it is not because He hates sinners, but because He loves them. God doesn't send people to Hell. People choose to go there. Men reject the message of their conscience and creation. (Ro 1:20) The Lord said it would rain hail. How does this happen? Drops of rain falling through a cold region of the atmosphere are frozen as they are sucked back up by an upward draft of air, freeze, and are converted into hail stones. Thus, the hail is produced by rain. When it begins to fall it is rain; when it is falling it freezes and is converted into hail; thus it is literally true that it rains hail. The farther a hail-stone falls the larger it generally is, because in its descent, it meets with innumerable particles of water which attach and freeze to it, and thus its bulk is continually increasing until it reaches the earth. In the case in question, if natural means were at all used, we may suppose a highly electrified state of an atmosphere loaded with vapors, which, becoming condensed and frozen, and having a considerable space to fall through, were of an unusually large size. Though this was a supernatural storm, there have been many storms of a natural kind, that have been exceedingly dreadful hailstorms. A storm of hail fell near Liverpool, in Lancashire, in the year 1795, which severely damaged the vegetation, broke windows, etc. Many of the stones measured five inches in circumference. Dr. Halley mentions a similar storm of hail in Lancashire, Cheshire, on April 29th, 1697, that for sixty miles in length and two miles in breadth, did immense damage by splitting trees, killing fowls small animals, and knocking down men and horses, etc. Mezeray, in his History of France, says "that in Italy, in 1510, there was for some time a horrible darkness, thicker than that of night, after which the clouds broke into thunder and lightning, and there fell a shower of hailstones which destroyed all the beasts, birds, and even fish of the country. It was attended with a strong smell of sulphur, and the stones were of a bluish color, some of them weighing one hundred pounds." It is interesting to note that hailstones of this size will fall in the Tribulation period. (Treasures from Exodus) George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Exodus 18. To-morrow about this time. Gr. ‘At this same hour.’ The time is thus accurately specified, that the effect, when it occurred; might not be attributed to chance. I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail. As rain is exceedingly rare, and hail almost unknown in Egypt, so formidable a hailstorm as that predicted, would be one of the greatest marvels that could occur in a climate like that of Egypt. A heavy fall of snow in July, would not be so great a phenomenon in our own country, as a heavy hail-storm at any time in Egypt. Since the foundation thereof. Heb. למן היום הוסדה lemin hayom hivvasedah, since the day of its being founded. That is, since its first being inhabited; otherwise expressed, v. 24, ‘since it became a nation.’ The Gr. however renders it, ‘From the day of its being created,’ i. e. physically created. It was at any rate to be a storm such as never had had a precedent in that country, and for the reason, that the occasion of it had never had a precede it. But unparalleled judgments may be expected to overtake unparalleled offenders. Founded (03245)(yasad) to establish, to found, to fix, to fix firmly. In a literal sense, this term can refer to laying the foundation of a building, primarily the Temple (1 Ki. 5:17; 6:37; Ezra 3:11; Isa. 44:28) or to laying the foundation of a city like Jericho (Josh 6:26; 1 Ki. 16:34); or Zion (Isa. 14:32). It refers to Creation of the Heavens and the Earth, God asking Job "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding." (Job 38:4) (See Genesis 1 commentary, see Elohim-Creator of Heaven and Earth) Gilbrant - The basic meaning of this verb is "to found" or "to establish." Yāsadh occurs most often in the Qal stem. It is used of God "founding" the earth (Ps. 24:2; Isa. 48:13; 51:13). It also refers to the "laying of the foundation" of the Temple (Ezra 3:12; Isa. 54:11), and to "laying the foundation stone," which ultimately has messianic significance (Isa. 28:16). Yāsadh is used of a city "founded" for desert creatures, i.e., doomed to be abandoned (Isa. 23:13), and of a nation "founded" by God for the correction of his rebellious people, destined to achieve this purpose (Hab. 1:12). It is used of God "establishing" a place for the mountains and valleys (Ps. 104:8), and He "established" his commandments forever (Ps. 119:152). In the Niphal stem, it refers to a group of people who "fix themselves" close together or "take counsel" (Ps. 2:2; 31:13) against the Lord and his anointed. It also refers to the "founding" of Egypt (Exo. 9:18) and to "laying the foundation" of the Temple (Isa. 44:28). The Piel stem is used in the curse against anyone who would try to "lay the foundation" of Jericho (Josh. 6:26; 1 Ki. 16:34) and in the description of the preparations for "laying the foundation" of the Temple (1 Ki. 5:17; Ezra 3:10). It also is seen in the statement that God "founded" Zion (Isa. 14:32). Yāsadh is used of the king "giving orders" concerning his drinking party in Est. 1:8. David and Samuel "appointed" or "ordained" the gatekeepers, establishing their positions and functions (1 Chr. 9:22), and God "founded" the moon and stars, meaning He created them and set their boundaries (Ps. 8:3), suspending them in space in their orbits. In the Pual stem, this verb always refers to "laying the foundation" of the Temple (1 Ki. 6:37; Ezra 3:6; Hag. 2:18; Zech. 8:9), except one occurrence which refers to the legs of the beloved as being "founded" on pure gold (Song 5:15). In the Hophal stem, yāsadh speaks of "founding" or "laying the foundation" of the Temple (2 Chr. 3:3; Ezra 3:11). In Isa. 28:16, this form of the word refers to the "firmly placed" or "well laid" cornerstone of the foundation. Again, this verse ultimately refers to the Messiah. (Complete Biblical Library - Incredible Resource) Yasad - 43v - appointed(2), established(4), firmly placed(1), found(1), foundation(6), foundation will be laid(1), foundations i will lay(1), foundations which laid(1), founded(11), given orders(1), laid(5), laid its foundations(1), laid the foundation(3), laid the foundations(1), lay its foundation(1), lay the foundation(1), laying(1), lays the foundation(1), make(1), rebuilding(1), set(1), take counsel(1), took counsel(1). Ex. 9:18; Jos. 6:26; 1 Ki. 5:17; 1 Ki. 6:37; 1 Ki. 7:10; 1 Ki. 16:34; 1 Chr. 9:22; 2 Chr. 3:3; 2 Chr. 24:27; 2 Chr. 31:7; Ezr. 3:6; Ezr. 3:10; Ezr. 3:11; Ezr. 3:12; Est. 1:8; Job 38:4; Ps. 2:2; Ps. 8:2; Ps. 24:2; Ps. 31:13; Ps. 78:69; Ps. 89:11; Ps. 102:25; Ps. 104:5; Ps. 104:8; Ps. 119:152; Prov. 3:19; Cant. 5:15; Isa. 14:32; Isa. 23:13; Isa. 28:16; Isa. 44:28; Isa. 48:13; Isa. 51:13; Isa. 51:16; Isa. 54:11; Amos 9:6; Hab. 1:12; Hag. 2:18; Zech. 4:9; Zech. 8:9; Zech. 12:1 Exodus 9:19 "Now therefore send, bring your livestock and whatever you have in the field to safety. Every man and beast that is found in the field and is not brought home, when the hail comes down on them, will die."' bring your livestock- Hab 3:2 the hail - Ex 9:25 GOD'S MERCY WARNS BEFORE HIS WRATH FALLS! Now therefore - Term of conclusion. What is the conclusion? Or what are the facts that allow one to draw this conclusion? The idea is I, referring to the truth of what God would soon bring about. Send, bring your livestock and whatever you have in the field to safety - Note these two commands! Moses does not appear to be stuttering now! And where did they get the livestock? They could have purchased livestock from the Israelites. And notice that since this warning was spoken directly to Pharaoh, it is an announcement that he would have to send out. Currid - The verb ‘send out/forth’ (ED: Hebrew shalach; Lxx uses kataspeudo = to press, urge, the same Greek verb used in Lxx of Ex 5:13 of the taskmasters who pressed the Israelites to complete their work quota. Also used of Pharaoh himself in Ex 10:16 when he "hurriedly called for Moses and Aaron") has been used throughout the exodus incident of what God demanded that Pharaoh should do for the Hebrews. Here Pharaoh is called to send out his people in his own interest, but once again he does not heed God’s word, as will be seen in subsequent verses. (Exodus Commentary) Alan
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McGee - Many people did not believe the words of God, and they suffered from the judgment. God gave them a chance, but it was their choice whether or not they believed what He said. The same holds true today. (Exodus 9) Mattoon - The Egyptians that left their cattle in the field, left the Word of God, left blessing, and left their peace. Beloved, learn from their mistakes. (Treasures from Exodus) If all the Egyptian livestock were killed in the earlier plague (Ex 9:6), how could the slaves of Pharaoh bring their livestock in from the fields? The answer is probably that the earlier plague killed all the animals in the fields (Ex 9:3 = "which are in the field,") but not those in the shelters. They could also have purchased livestock from the Israelites. George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Exodus He that regarded not the word Heb. לא שם לבו lo sam libbo, that set not his heart to the word. Although there were some, even among the servants of Pharaoh, who had been sufficiently wrought upon by the former plagues to tremble at God’s word, yet there were others, and they probably the majority, who partook of the spirit of their master, and would not believe, though the event thus far, had in every instance proved the truth of Moses’ predictions. One would have thought that even if there were a peradventure that the calamity might come, they would have chosen the safer side, and housed their cattle for so short a time, rather than leave the poor creatures exposed to perish in the tempest; but they were so fool-hardy as in defiance of the truth of Moses and the power of God to risk the consequences. Exodus 9:22 Now the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward the sky, that hail may fall on all the land of Egypt, on man and on beast and on every plant of the field, throughout the land of Egypt." Ex 7:19 8:5,16 Rev 16:21 Now the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward the sky - This is the next day (cf "tomorrow" Ex 9:18) Moses is no longer in the presence of Pharaoh and this is the day after. And while not stated here comparison with the next verse indicates that Moses' hand was holding the staff of God (and not just his hand). That hail may fall on all the land of Egypt, on man and on beast and on every plant of the field, throughout the land of Egypt - Throughout the land of Egypt, but NOT in the land of Goshen, the land inhabited by the Israelites (Ex 9:26). Rev 16:21+ And huge hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, came down from heaven upon men; and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, because its plague *was extremely severe. Currid - In the history of Egypt, not only was hail rare, but when it did fall it was not usually particularly menacing. Its severity in the seventh plague is quite striking. (Exodus Commentary) Exodus 9:23 Moses stretched out his staff toward the sky, and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and fire ran down to the earth. And the LORD rained hail on the land of Egypt. the Lord sent - Ex 19:16 20:18 1Sa 12:17,18 Job 37:1-5 Ps 29:3 77:18 Rev 16:18,21 and hail - Jos 10:11 Job 38:22,23 Ps 18:13 78:47,48 105:32,33 148:8 Isa 30:30 Eze 38:22 Rev 8:7 Moses stretched out his staff toward the sky, and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and fire ran down to the earth. And the LORD rained hail on the land of Egypt - From here forward, Moses and his hand or staff would lead the people (Ex 9:23; 10:13, 21; 14:16; 17:9) Notice again we see the juxtaposition of man's responsibility and God's sovereignty (and power). A W
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Vernon McGee commenting in light of fact that Egyptians worshiped bulls - With a tour group I made a trip out to the pyramids. When we got back, one of the men who knew the area said, “Did you see the mummies of the bulls?” We said, “No.” “Well,” he said, “you missed the most important thing.” So several in our group went back out there to get pictures of them. I was not interested in going twelve miles in all that heat to see mummies of bulls! But they are there—literally hundreds of them, reverently entombed in sarcophagi. Archaeologists have just begun unearthing them. Apis, the black bull, was worshiped in Egypt. The second largest temple that Egypt built was located in Memphis and was for the worship of the black bull Apis. Apis was supposed to be an embodiment of Ptah of Memphis. Apis, thought to be engendered by a moonbeam was distinguished by several characteristics. A new Apis was always believed to be born upon the death of the old. The dead bull was embalmed and buried in Memphis. His soul then passed to the world beyond as Osiris-Apis. You might say that what they had here is the worship of a sick cow. God must have smiled at this. God is leveling His judgments against this awful, frightful institution of idolatry that had such a hold upon the Egyptian people as well as on the Israelites. We shall see later that Israel, too, had gone into idolatry. (Exodus 9)
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Vernon McGee - For the first time God is touching man as well as beast with judgment. He is afflicting man’s physical body. The priests who served in the Egyptian temples had to be clean, without any type of breaking out or sickness. Suddenly this plague of boils comes upon them and they are unclean, unfit to serve in the temples. This brings to a halt all of the false worship in Egypt. I walked over part of the ruins of the city of Memphis. The ruins are practically all gone now, but archaeologists know something of the extent of that great city. Up one thoroughfare and down the other was temple after temple. There were over one thousand temples in Memphis, and priests served in all of them. You can imagine what this plague of boils did to the services in these temples. Everything slowed to a standstill. All the bright lights went off! About the time I was in this city I remember reading about a strike in Las Vegas. There on “glitter gulch” are probably more neon lights than any place in the world. I have been told that if you fly in an airplane over Las Vegas at night, it is so bright that you think the sun is coming up. Well, they had a strike and the lights went out. Motels closed and the people left. It was such a startling event that the strike was settled immediately. Conditions were similar in the land of Egypt to those in Las Vegas during the strike. False religion was out of business. Everyone had boils. The priests could not serve in the temples. There were probably signs on the temples, which said, CLOSED BECAUSE OF SICKNESS. (Exodus 9) George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Exodus The magicians could not stand before Moses. They had probably hitherto continued to linger about the person of Pharaoh, confirming him in his obstinate refusal to let the people go, and pretending that though Moses had thus far performed works beyond their skill, yet they should doubtless be too hard for him at last; but now, being seized with these loathsome and painful ulcers, they were utterly confounded, and quitting the court in disgrace, were henceforth no more heard of. See an allusion to this part of the sacred history, 2 Tim. 3:8, 9. Exodus 9:12 And the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not listen to them, just as the LORD had spoken to Moses. Ex 4:21 Ex 7:13,14 Ps 81:11,12 Rev 16:10,11 JEHOVAH'S PREDICTION BEING FULFILLED Parallel Passages: Exodus 4:21+ The LORD said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders which I have put in your power; but I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go. Exodus 7:3+ “But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart that I may multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt. And the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart - This is the first time we see that Jehovah Himself hardens Pharaoh's heart. (See Summary above) From this point on most of the instances of Pharaoh's heart being hardened are the result a direct act of God! Woe! Bruckner - The Lord increasingly took control to demonstrate who the true Creator is. God’s intention was to bring the enslaved people from an oppressive regime into God’s own protection and service. (Exodus (Understanding the Bible Commentary) And he did not listen to them, just as the LORD had spoken to Moses - Hard hearts do not listen! The LORD had predicted this response. Currid - The sixth plague, like the previous ones, is repeated and intensified in the book of Revelation. John reports the beginning of the pouring out of the seven bowls of wrath upon the followers of Satan in the following way: ‘And the first angel went and poured out his bowl into the earth; and it became a loathsome and malignant sore upon the men who had the mark of the beast and who worshipped his image’ (Rev. 16:2+). As before, the plagues in Egypt serve to foreshadow the plagues that are to be directed upon the ungodly in the last days. However, the plagues in Revelation are much greater and more extreme—they confirm the nature of the final judgement against the followers of the devil.(Exodus Commentary) (See more discussion of The Parallels in Revelation) David Thompson says "Every human would be wise to pray to God and ask that He never harden your heart so you would not listen to the Word of God. Because God can and will do this." (Sermon) George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Exodus 12. And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh. Heb. יחזק yehazzëk. On the import of the term, see Note on Ex. 4:21. God had there threatened that he would harden Pharaoh’s heart, but we do not, until we come to the present passage, find it expressly said that he did harden it. Here, it is true, the effect is ascribed to the divine agency, but after what we have remarked at so much length on this subject in that place, the reader will scarcely be in danger of putting a wrong construction on the words. It is not to be understood that God, by a positive act, created any hardness of heart in Pharaoh, or that he immediately put forth any influence to render him callous and incapable of right feeling. He had before hardened his own heart by resisting both the grace and the wrath of heaven, and nothing more is meant by the expression before us, than that God was pleased to leave him under the control of his own strong delusions, and so to order the events of his providence as to make him more and more obstinate. In no other sense did God harden his heart, than by permitting him to rush forward in precisely such a course of rebellion as would issue in his hardening his own heart. But even this was a fearful judgment, and one that speaks awfully to those who do violence to their own consciences and sin with a high hand. Walter Kaiser, et al - The Lord Hardened Pharaoh’s Heart? The theme of “hardening” occurs twenty times between Exodus 4 and 14. But the most troublesome aspect of these verses is that in ten out of the twenty occurrences God himself is said to have hardened Pharaoh’s heart. This fact troubles many readers of the Scriptures, for it appears God authors evil and then holds someone else responsible. Did God make it impossible for Pharaoh to respond and then find Pharaoh guilty for this behavior? God twice predicts he will harden Pharaoh’s heart. These two prophetic notices were given to Moses before the whole contest began (Ex 4:21; 7:3). However, if these two occurrences appear to cast the die against Pharaoh, it must be remembered that all God’s prophecies to his prophets have a suppressed “unless you repent” attached to them. Few prophecies are unconditional; these few include God’s covenant with the seasons in Genesis 8:22; his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David; his new covenant; and his covenant with the new heavens and the new earth in Isaiah 65–66. In general, only the promises connected with nature and our salvation have no dependence on us; all others are much like Jonah’s message to Nineveh. Even though Jonah never even hinted at the fact that Nineveh’s imminent destruction (only forty days away) could be avoided by repentance, the king assumed such was the case, and Jonah’s worst fears were realized: the nation repented and the barbarous Assyrians did not get what was coming to them! In Pharaoh’s case, Pharaoh initiated the whole process by hardening his own heart ten times during the first five plagues (Ex 7:13, 14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7, 34, 35; and 13:15). It was always and only Pharaoh who hardened his heart during these plagues! Rather than letting the work of God soften his heart during these plagues and concluding that Yahweh is the only true God, Pharaoh made this evidence the basis for hardening his heart. Meanwhile, the plagues must have had some impact on the general population of Egypt, for when the Israelites left Egypt, they were accompanied by “many other people” (Ex 12:38). Even Pharaoh’s own magicians confessed, “This is the finger [the work] of God” (Ex 8:19), and they bowed out of the competition with the living God. It appears that Pharaoh reached the limits of his circumscribed freedom during the fifth plague, for after that time, during the last five plagues, God consistently initiated the hardening (Ex 9:12; 10:1, 20, 27; 11:10; 14:4, 8, 17). God is not the author of evil. There is no suggestion that he violated the freedom of Pharaoh’s will or that he manipulated Pharaoh in order to heap further vengeance on the Egyptian people. God is not opposed to the cooperation of pagan monarchs. Pharaoh could have cooperated with God just as Cyrus did in the Babylonian exile; God was still glorified when that king decided on his own to let Israel return from Babylon. If Pharaoh had acted as King Cyrus would later do, the results of the exodus would have been the same. It is Pharaoh, not God, who is to be blamed for the hardening of his own heart. (Hard Sayings of the Bible) Exodus 9:13 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Rise up early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh and say to him, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, "Let My people go, that they may serve Me. Ex 9:1 7:15 8:20 CONFRONTATION OF MOSES WHO BRINGS JEHOVAH'S COMMAND Rod Mattoon introduces this next plague writing "The Word of the Lord is becoming very uncomfortable for Pharaoh because he would not obey. All this king had to do was submit to God's command. The fact that he has continued to resist the Lord in spite of five plagues is a clear indication of the hardness of his heart. He doesn't care who suffers. He is determined to have his own way no matter what the cost. In his mind, he believes he is a god. God has continued to demonstrate His mercy in spite of the king's rebellion. He did not wipe him out after his first refusal. The Lord has gradually increased the pressure after each refusal to obey, but Pharaoh's time is running out. People act the same way as this king today with destructive consequences. Unfortunately, some of them are Christians. Two words in the Christian vocabulary which cannot go together when it comes to obeying God are, "No Lord." If we persist in rebellion, we can also expect chastening. In Egypt's case, they reaped the hail from Heaven. The third cycle of plagues begins here. This cycle will be more severe than the previous ones and more detailed in description. The times of mild warnings are gone. This is the longest warning so far, probably because it will be the most destructive plague up to this point." (Treasures from Exodus) Then the LORD said to Moses, "Rise up early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh and say to him, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews - This passage begins an extended warning from the LORD through Moses to Pharaoh form verse 14 through verse 19. The morning meeting marks the beginning of the third cycle (of 3 plagues in each cycle, each beginning with a morning warning). Currid - The command to Moses to ‘stand before Pharaoh’ harks back to Ex 9:11. There the magicians could not stand before the Hebrew prophets. Moses, however, now takes a firm stand before the King of Egypt. (Exodus Commentary) Cassuto - Moses was able to stand with proud bearing before the king, and not merely to reiterate his demand in the Lord’s name and to declare: Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, Let My people go, that they may serve Me, but to threaten him with even worse consequences than before (A Commentary on the Book of Exodus) In the morning - Moses had three morning meetings with Pharaoh - (1) Ex 7:15+ to warn of first plague against the Nile River, (2) Ex 8:20+ to warn of fourth plague of swarms of insects and (3) Ex 9:13+ apparently in the palace where Moses gives a long warning to Pharaoh and announces the sixth plague, heavy hail (Ex 9:18+). God of the Hebrews - 6x - Exod. 3:18; Exod. 5:3; Exod. 7:16; Exod. 9:1; Exod. 9:13; Exod. 10:3 Let My people go, that they may serve Me - NET = "Release my people so that they may serve me!" (Exodus 9) Literally "Send (Hebrew = shalach; Lxx = exapostello) My people" (see "send" in Ex 9:14 - if he does not "send" His people then God will "send" His plague)! This command is repeated some 9 times (Ex 5:1+; Ex 7:16+; Ex 8:1+; Ex 8:20+; Ex 8:21+; Ex 9:1+; Ex 9:13+; Ex 10:3+; Ex 10:4+) Play Louis Armstrong - Go Down Moses - Let My People Go or another version Moses Go Down (Let My People Go) J Ligon Duncan - In verses 13 through 21 God reveals His twin purposes for the plagues. And, we see His surprisingly, gracious dealings with Pharaoh in at least a couple of ways. This is the beginning of the third set of three plagues. And it’s prefaced by a long theological introduction. Here God tells us His purposes in redemption. Look again at the phrase. "Let My people go that they may serve Me." Here we see the ground of the redemption of Exodus; it’s God’s people. This is God’s people. And here we see the goal of the Exodus. Their purpose is to serve the Lord. Let my people go, so that they may serve the Lord." (Exodus 9:8-35 The 6th & 7th Plagues: Boils and Hail) NET Note - Rain was almost unknown in Egypt, and hail and lightning were harmless. The Egyptians were fascinated by all these, though, and looked on them as portentous. Herodotus describes how they studied such things and wrote them down (1.2.c.38). If ordinary rainstorms were ominous, what must fire and hail have been? The Egyptians had denominated fire Hephaistos, considering it to be a mighty deity (cf. Diodorus, 1.1.c.1). Porphry says that at the opening of the temple of Serapis the Egyptians worshiped with water and fire. If these connections were clearly understood, then these elements in the plague were thought to be deities that came down on their own people with death and destruction. (Exodus 9) Exodus 9:14 "For this time I will send all My plagues on you and your servants and your people, so that you may know that there is no one like Me in all the earth. send all - Lev 26:18,21,28 De 28:15-17,59-61 29:20-22 32:39-42 1Sa 4:8 1Ki 8:38 Jer 19:8 Mic 6:13 Rev 18:8 22:18 that you may know - Ex 8:10 PURPOSE OF PLAGUES KNOW NO ONE LIKE GOD Mattoon - the Lord picks up again where He left off. If Pharaoh is going to please God, he must come to a point of submission in his life. God said again, "Let my people go." The Lord is knocking at the door of Pharaoh's heart again. The message of the Lord is very simple, "Obey." If you are out of God's will, then obey Him. Forsake your sin, forgive others, and follow the Lord. (Treasures from Exodus) For this time (in the cycle of plagues beginning now, and in the climactic plague that will follow it) "is a conjunction meaning ‘because/for’, or an emphatic adverb, ‘indeed’. It therefore indicates the certainty of the statement that follows. It is not conditional; there is no ‘if … then’ situation. It is going to happen." (Currid) Mattoon on for this time (Hebrew - pa'am) - Hebrew word pa'am which means "stroke, anvil, hoof-beat." This phrase points to a rapid and continuous succession of blows. Like a blacksmith hammering the metal on an anvil, God has been hammering at the hard heart of Pharaoh and Egypt with the hammer of judgment for the purpose of getting this king to conform to God's will. Like the rapid hoof beat of a running horse, God has been sending one plague after another to try to bring the king to a point of repentance. Pharaoh had the Burger King attitude. He wanted to have it his way. The result was self destruction. (Treasures from Exodus) I will send all My plagues on you and your servants and your people - All My plagues refers to plagues 7-10. Notice it is God Who sends the plague. It will directly affect Pharaoh. And don't miss the literal rendering "this time I am sending all My plagues on your heart." (Hebrew = leb; Lxx = kardia) This is what I, as a physician, would diagnose as a "divine heart attack!" Not physical, but spiritual! This will be a devastating blow struck by God, a direct assault on the sovereignty of Pharaoh, clearly indicating intensification of the confrontation between the Kingdom of God and kingdom of darkness. “The Lord will strike Pharaoh precisely in the organ that perpetuates his transgression—his heart” (Shemesh 2005: 346). Currid - The use of the verb ‘to send out’ (Hebrew = shalach; Lxx = exapostello) is a word-play on Ex 9:13. In that passage God demands that Pharaoh send out the Hebrews. But because Pharaoh does not do so, God responds by ‘sending out … plagues’ on Egypt....on you (against you) means ‘against your heart’. The Egyptians believed that Pharaoh’s heart was the all-controlling factor in both history and society. Now the King of Egypt’s heart is hardened against the Hebrews. Yahweh assaults his heart to demonstrate that only the God of the Hebrews is the sovereign of the universe. (Exodus Commentary) Alan
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Vernon McGee - God is going to use Pharaoh to demonstrate His power throughout all of the earth. Here is a case of God using the wrath of man to praise Him. Psalm 76:10 For the wrath of man shall praise You; With a remnant of wrath You will gird Yourself. (Exodus 9)