Exodus 8:20-9:12 – “A Difference Between People”
Outline:
- Intro.
- Vs. 8:20-32 Deliverer or Destroyer
- Vs. 9:1-7 Provider or a Pest
- Vs. 9:8-12 Health or Harm
I.) Intro.
The first three plagues affected all the land of Egypt, and one might wonder if Pharaoh and others began to think these were merely natural disasters. In our world, people often refer to calamities as “acts of God.” It’s interesting that even insurance companies use this phrase to describe uncontrollable events. These chapters in Exodus remind us that life is all about control—whether it is under God’s or our own.
As believers, we often acknowledge that God is in control, but only through adversity do we see how much we truly trust Him. When control issues arise, they point to a lack of trust. God loves us so much that He will continually reveal to us the broken things we are trusting in. In Jeremiah 2:13, God spoke about Israel’s failure to trust Him: “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns; broken cisterns that can hold no water.” What are you trusting in today? Whatever it is, if it isn’t God, it cannot truly satisfy.
II.) Vs. 8:20-32 Deliverer or Destroyer
Vs. 20-21 Pharaoh, like the Egyptians, believed himself to be a god. He would often visit the Nile for religious rites. Imagine his irritation when Moses and Aaron appeared to warn him again. Despite God showing Pharaoh who was truly in control, Pharaoh continued practicing false religion. Many people give lip service to God while still worshiping other gods—whether those are physical idols or the idols of wealth, power, or self.
Yet God, in His grace, warned Pharaoh rather than immediately destroying him. This grace is shown even while Pharaoh is worshiping false gods. God says, “Let My people go that they may serve Me.” Notice whose people they are—God’s! Pharaoh believed the people were his, but God reminds him that they belong to the Lord.
The word “flies” is not found in the Hebrew text. Instead, it says, “I will send swarms on you.” Psalm 78:45 describes this plague as swarms that “devoured” them, meaning the insects were likely harmful like mosquitoes or biting flies. These insects were also represented by the scarab beetle, a good luck charm associated with the Egyptian god Ra, symbolizing eternal life. Ironically, these creatures became instruments of torment, showing how false these symbols of control and luck were.
Vs. 22-24 Here, God introduces a new feature: the plagues will now only affect the Egyptians, not the Israelites. This distinction was made “so that you may know that I am the Lord in the midst of the land.” Pharaoh believed he was sovereign over Egypt, but God shows him otherwise. The word “difference” in verse 23 means “set a ransom,” showing that God had redeemed and protected His people. The plague ruined the land of Egypt, and their so-called “good luck” charms became part of their destruction.
Vs. 25-32 The plague affected four groups differently:
- Moses: Moses continued to trust God despite not seeing immediate results. God rewarded his faith by distinguishing between the Egyptians and the Israelites. Moses’ faithfulness to God’s word is a reminder that change may be gradual, but it will come if we remain faithful.
- Israelites: Though they were not entirely trusting God, they experienced His mercy. This shows that God’s blessings are not based on our goodness but on His. Many people believe they will go to heaven because they are “good,” but the truth is, salvation comes only through faith in Jesus.
- Magicians: The magicians disappeared from the narrative after this point, likely because they could not reverse the plagues. Those who stand by their religion, only to see it fail, often abandon it. This reminds us that our faith should not be in religious systems but in a relationship with God through Jesus.
- Pharaoh: Pharaoh appeared to recognize that he was not in control, but he tried to negotiate with God. He allowed the Israelites to worship but wanted them to stay in Egypt. He was still trying to maintain control. Many people try to make deals with God, but God does not negotiate obedience. Moses objected for two reasons: practically, because Egyptian sacred animals would be sacrificed, and more importantly, because God had commanded them to worship in the wilderness. Obedience to God’s word cannot be compromised.
III.) Vs. 9:1-7 Provider or a Pest
Vs. 1-4 In this plague, God targeted the Egyptian goddess Hathor, represented by the sacred cow. Cows were symbols of wealth and fertility in Egypt. God struck down the Egyptians’ livestock, showing that their wealth and false gods could not protect them. Many today worship the “sick cow” of materialism, trusting in their financial security rather than in God.
Vs. 5-7 Again, we see how the plague affected different groups:
- Moses: Moses saw firsthand how God’s grace was poured out on the Israelites, while the Egyptians’ trust in false gods failed. Moses’ faith in God’s word continued to grow.
- Israelites: The Egyptians had despised the Israelites for being shepherds, yet God blessed their flocks while destroying those of the Egyptians. This showed the Israelites that trusting in God brings blessing.
- Magicians: Though not mentioned in this passage, they likely continued to cling to their dying gods, just as many people today stubbornly hold on to things that fail them.
- Pharaoh: Despite the clear evidence of God’s power, Pharaoh remained hard-hearted. His refusal to obey God’s word reveals the depths of human rebellion against God’s authority.
IV.) Vs. 9:8-12 Health or Harm
Vs. 8-9 This time, God sent a plague of boils without warning. Moses scattered ashes from a furnace, and painful boils broke out on the Egyptians and their animals. This plague directly attacked the Egyptians’ obsession with cleanliness and their belief in the goddess Sekhmet, who was thought to control diseases.
Vs. 10-12 The magicians, who prided themselves on ritual cleanliness, were so afflicted that they could not stand before Moses. Their religion had failed them, yet Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened.
So, what is the application? What are you trusting in today? Sadly, even in the church, people are increasingly turning to false gods. As we’ve seen in these chapters, God will reveal the futility of those idols and show us that He alone is worthy of our trust.
Exodus 9:13-10:29 – “Who Is Like The Lord? Part A”
Outline:
- Intro.
- Vs. 9:13-17 A Warning of Grace
- Vs. 18-26 He Who Feared the Word of the Lord
- Vs. 27-35 I’ve Sinned This Time
I.) Intro.
As we come to the last set of three plagues, God is demonstrating the futility of pursuing your own way. With the plague of hail, we see that pride brings destruction. Pride impacts every area of life, and the worst kind of pride is the refusal to change, even when faced with ruin. Whatever isn’t destroyed by resisting God’s grace will eventually be devoured, leaving only darkness in its wake.
In this section, we are told that God has a twofold purpose for bringing these blows against Egypt:
- First, according to verse 9:14, “that they may know that there is none like Me in all the earth.” This is a simple truth: God wants Pharaoh and the world to know that He alone is sovereign, in both mercy and judgment. Trusting in any other god is foolishness. As we learn in Joshua 2:9-11, this knowledge even affected the people of Jericho, 40 years later, when Rahab testified to the spies about the fear that the Lord’s power instilled in them.
- Second, in Exodus 10:2, God wanted this to be a reminder to His people that He is who He claims to be and is worthy of their trust. God’s actions in redeeming Israel from Egypt are meant to be remembered and retold through every generation. Sixty-two times in the Bible, God says He redeemed them “out of Egypt.” It’s clear that God desires for His people to know Him as a Redeemer, and the events in Egypt were a powerful display of that.
Through these plagues, God is revealing Himself to the world and reminding His people of His saving power.
II.) Vs. 9:13-17 A Warning of Grace
Vs. 13-14 In this last set of plagues, God calls Moses to rise early and warn Pharaoh once again. This is the longest warning of all the plagues, and for good reason—God says, “I will send all my plagues to your very heart.” Adverse circumstances are not God’s first option; He desires mercy, as Jesus said in Matthew 9:13, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” But often, we don’t listen until we are brought to our knees.
God appeals to Pharaoh, urging him to let His people go so they may serve Him. He emphasizes that He is sovereign over all the earth, declaring three times that “there is none like Me.” The Egyptians worshipped the earth, but God makes it clear that He is over all creation. Even Pharaoh’s power, God reveals, is allowed only by God’s grace so that His power might be displayed through Pharaoh’s actions—whether by repentance or defeat.
Vs. 15-17 God reveals His reasons for what He’s doing:
- Mercy: In verse 15, God says that if He wanted to judge Pharaoh and Egypt instantly, He could have wiped them out with one word. The fact that Pharaoh is still alive is a testament to God’s mercy. Many of us can recall close calls or near-death experiences, times when God’s mercy saved us, often without us realizing it. Pharaoh, however, continues to harden his heart despite God’s mercy.
- Grace: In verse 16, God tells Pharaoh that even his position as ruler is by God’s grace so that His power might be known. God raises people up not because of their merit but because of His grace. Paul quotes this verse in Romans 9:16, explaining that salvation depends not on human will or effort, but on God’s mercy. God blesses both the Egyptians and the Israelites, not because they deserve it, but because of His grace.
- Glory: Ultimately, God’s mercy and grace are meant to point people to Him so that He may be glorified. Even Pharaoh’s resistance is used to display God’s power. Pharaoh can either be blessed by acknowledging God or be defeated in his rebellion. Every knee will bow before God; the only question is whether we will bow in repentance or in judgment.
III.) Vs. 18-26 He Who Feared the Word of the Lord
Vs. 18-21 God announces a plague of unprecedented hail, and in His mercy, He warns Pharaoh and the Egyptians to bring their livestock and crops inside for protection. Here, we see two different responses to the Word of the Lord—those who feared His word obeyed and were spared, while those who ignored the warning suffered destruction. Obedience to God’s Word saved the lives of the animals and crops of both Egyptians and Israelites. The Bible works—following God’s Word leads to life.
Vs. 22-26 The destruction was great for those who refused to heed the Word of the Lord. The Egyptians worshipped the sky god Nut, but their false god was powerless to protect them. Only the land of Goshen, where the Israelites lived, was spared. The hailstorm likely occurred in late February, as verses 31-32 mention the crops that were destroyed, setting the stage for the final plague just one month later. This was a devastating year for Egypt, and it began to affect even Pharaoh’s own servants, as we’ll see in the next chapter.
IV.) Vs. 27-35 I’ve Sinned This Time
Vs. 27 Pharaoh acknowledges his sin, but the key words here are “this time.” Pharaoh is only admitting to the sin of this one occasion, ignoring his past transgressions. Many people, when caught, will admit to wrongdoing, but true repentance is more than being sorry for the consequences—it involves turning away from sin and seeking a changed heart.
Vs. 28 Pharaoh recognizes God’s power but is not willing to submit his life to Him. Many people acknowledge God’s existence but refuse to live in obedience to Him. Pharaoh asks Moses to pray for relief but does not surrender to God. His repentance is shallow, focused only on escaping the consequences of his actions.
Vs. 29-30 Moses knows that Pharaoh’s repentance is insincere, but God still grants him mercy. God knows the difference between true repentance and merely seeking relief from suffering. Pharaoh wants to remain in control, willing to say whatever is necessary to regain that control, but without any real change in his heart.
There’s a pattern here: When Pharaoh saw his control slipping away, he first ignored God’s warnings, then tried to manipulate the situation, followed by false repentance, attempts to make deals with God, and finally, anger and threats. We may find ourselves doing the same when we refuse to submit to God. Let’s not be like Pharaoh, grieved only by the consequences of our sin. Instead, let’s be like David, who was truly grieved by the sin itself and sought God’s heart for change.