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EXODUS 9 HAIL AND FIRE PLAGUE

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May 16

EXODUS 9

22 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, so that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, on man and beast and every plant of the field, in the land of Egypt.” 23 Then Moses stretched out his staff toward heaven, and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and fire ran down to the earth. And the Lord rained hail upon the land of Egypt. 24 There was hail and fire flashing continually in the midst of the hail, very heavy hail, such as had never been in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. 25 The hail struck down everything that was in the field in all the land of Egypt, both man and beast. And the hail struck down every plant of the field and broke every tree of the field. 26 Only in the land of Goshen, where the people of Israel were, was there no hail.

                                                                   – Exodus 9:22-26

EXODUS 9 HAIL AND FIRE PLAGUE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

The Lord is just and merciful, he wants mankind to repent and turn to him

He wanted the Egyptians to acknowledge him and turn away from sin

He gives them a chance to take his word and believe and serve him

But they continued with their ways so, he sent thunder, hail and fire

He made sure that Goshen was spared from this plague

So, there was hail everywhere in Egypt except in the land of Goshen.

According to some commentary, other enemies of Israel were also threatened with hail. The Canaanites were struck with hailstones so big and numerous that more died from them than the children of Israel slew with the sword in Joshua 10:11. In Isaiah 30:30-31, hailstones were predicted against the invading Assyrians and the future invader Gog in Ezekiel 30:18,22. So, this must be God’s way of punishing those who inflict harm on his children.

I can’t imagine how this would look and feel like. It is interesting that the hail didn’t put off the fire and the fire didn’t stop the hail. It just goes to show that only God can do these wonders. He punishes anyone who makes his children’s lives miserable.

REFLECTION

  • What lesson can we learn from this plague of hail and fire?

EXODUS 9 WARNING ON THE PLAGUE OF HEAVY HAIL

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May 15

EXODUS 9

13 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Rise up early in the morning and present yourself before Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. 14 For this time I will send all my plagues on you yourself, and on your servants and your people, so that you may know that there is none like me in all the earth. 15 For by now I could have put out my hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, and you would have been cut off from the earth. 16 But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth. 17 You are still exalting yourself against my people and will not let them go. 18 Behold, about this time tomorrow I will cause very heavy hail to fall, such as never has been in Egypt from the day it was founded until now. 19 Now therefore send, get your livestock and all that you have in the field into safe shelter, for every man and beast that is in the field and is not brought home will die when the hail falls on them.”’” 20 Then whoever feared the word of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh hurried his slaves and his livestock into the houses, 21 but whoever did not pay attention to the word of the Lord left his slaves and his livestock in the field.

                                                                   – Exodus 9:13-21

EXODUS 9 WARNING ON THE PLAGUE OF HEAVY HAIL

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When the plague of boils didn’t change Pharaoh’s heart

The Lord God gave him a warning on the heavy hail he will send them

God gave anyone a chance to pay attention to the warning of God

Whoever heeded and protected their livestock will be spared.

Once again, we witness God’s grace and mercy to the Egyptians. He even gave them warning and advised them what to do and how to prepare for this plague. He wanted them to acknowledge his word and pay attention to the word of the Lord.

We serve a very patient and steadfast loving God. He is slow to anger and abounding in love. He understands our natural tendencies to rebel. He gives us many chances to choose him and listen to his law and his word. Oftentimes, we get so consumed with our selfishness that we don’t heed the warning signs.

REFLECTION

  • What evidence are we shown in this account of God’s righteous judgment?

EXODUS 9 THE PLAGUE OF BOILS    

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May 14

EXODUS 9

8 And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Take handfuls of soot from the kiln, and let Moses throw them in the air in the sight of Pharaoh. 9 It shall become fine dust over all the land of Egypt, and become boils breaking out in sores on man and beast throughout all the land of Egypt.” 10 So they took soot from the kiln and stood before Pharaoh. And Moses threw it in the air, and it became boils breaking out in sores on man and beast. 11 And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils, for the boils came upon the magicians and upon all the Egyptians. 12 But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as the Lord had spoken to Moses.

                                                                      – Exodus 9:8-12

EXODUS 9 THE PLAGUE OF BOILS                                        

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When Moses didn’t release God’s people after the livestock were killed

God instructed Moses to turn handfuls of soot from the kiln

He asked Moses to throw it in the air and it will become fine dust

These will be all over Egypt and will break as sores on man and beasts.

Here is the sixth plague which was boils. According to a commentary, this was a judgment against several gods over health and disease “Sekhmet, Sunu and Isis”. Notice that God gave Pharaoh no warning here just like when he infested them with gnats. When God has given us so many admonitions and warnings and we still don’t heed them, we will be surprised one day when the punishment will come to us without a notice.

Mentioned several times throughout the Old Testament, boils were historically thought to be a punishment for an individual’s sins. In Job 2:7, Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. Although Job didn’t have sin, God allowed Satan to tempt him to deny God by inflicting him with these boils. God wants to prove Job’s faithfulness to Satan. But the friends didn’t know that God allowed Satan to inflict his body with disease. That’s why Job’s friends thought that Job was hiding some sins because he had these boils all over.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think God didn’t warn Pharaoh of this sixth plague unlike the other ones?

EXODUS 9 FOOLS WALK INTO PLAGUES

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May 13

EXODUS 9

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. 2 For if you refuse to let them go and still hold them, 3 behold, the hand of the Lord will fall with a very severe plague upon your livestock that are in the field, the horses, the donkeys, the camels, the herds, and the flocks. 4 But the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that nothing of all that belongs to the people of Israel shall die.”’” 5 And the Lord set a time, saying, “Tomorrow the Lord will do this thing in the land.” 6 And the next day the Lord did this thing. All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one of the livestock of the people of Israel died. 7 And Pharaoh sent, and behold, not one of the livestock of Israel was dead. But the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go. – Exodus 9:1-7

EXODUS 9 FOOLS WALK INTO PLAGUES

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

After the swarms of flies were lifted up and Pharaoh didn’t keep his word

The Lord sends Moses to warn Pharaoh again about the next plague

The plague will be on all all their livestock in the field on all their animals

God specified that all the livestock of his people will not die but live

Despite this fifth plague warning, Pharaoh continued to be stubborn

Once again, he didn’t release the Israelites to worship their Lord.

It is kind of tiring to watch fools continue doing what they do. Pharaoh is a fool who takes no pleasure in understanding but only in expressing his opinion as Proverbs 18:2 says. Proverbs 12:15 says that a fool is always right in his own eyes. In other words, he cannot see sense in anything because they are so blinded by their desire to please themselves and be in control.

You would think that by this time Pharaoh could have learned from all the previous warnings before the plagues came, but no, he continued on with his arrogance and denial of God’s existence, power and sovereignty. Proverbs 9:7-8 says that if you correct a fool, you will be abused because they hate reproof. That will expose their phoniness.

REFLECTION

  • Share some of your experiences with fools that you have met in your life.

EXODUS 8 THE SWARMS OF FLIES PLAGUE LIFTED UP

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May 12

EXODUS 8

25 Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and said, “Go, sacrifice to your God within the land.” 26 But Moses said, “It would not be right to do so, for the offerings we shall sacrifice to the Lord our God are an abomination to the Egyptians. If we sacrifice offerings abominable to the Egyptians before their eyes, will they not stone us? 27 We must go three days’ journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the Lord our God as he tells us.” 28 So Pharaoh said, “I will let you go to sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilderness; only you must not go very far away. Plead for me.” 29 Then Moses said, “Behold, I am going out from you and I will plead with the Lord that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, tomorrow. Only let not Pharaoh cheat again by not letting the people go to sacrifice to the Lord.” 30 So Moses went out from Pharaoh and prayed to the Lord. 31 And the Lord did as Moses asked, and removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; not one remained. 32 But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and did not let the people go. – Exodus 8:25-32

EXODUS 8 THE SWARMS OF FLIES PLAGUE LIFTED UP

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When the swarms of flies plagued the Egyptians

Pharaoh told Moses that they can worship in Egypt

But Moses said that it would not be a worship pleasing to God

Since the Egyptians would stone them if they worshipped there

Pharaoh once again said he would release them to worship

If Moses asks God to lift up the plague of the swarms of flies.

Once again, for the fourth time, Pharaoh tricked Moses and did not honor his word to release the Israelites if the plague was lifted. It is interesting that when the plague is stopped, he goes back again to his wickedness. Isn’t this also true in our lives in our world today? When we are not beset by troubles and sorrows, we forget to worship God and we go on our merry ways and our sinfulness. All that was required of Pharaoh was to give the Israelites time to worship the Lord out of Egypt but he was so insecure to let go of his control and abuse over them. What a narcissistic egotistical tyrant this king was!

REFLECTION

  • What stirs Pharaoh to cheat, lie and deceive Moses?

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EXODUS 8 GOD SETS APART HIS PEOPLE

May 11

EXODUS 8

20 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Rise up early in the morning and present yourself to Pharaoh, as he goes out to the water, and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. 21 Or else, if you will not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and your servants and your people, and into your houses. And the houses of the Egyptians shall be filled with swarms of flies, and also the ground on which they stand. 22 But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where my people dwell, so that no swarms of flies shall be there, that you may know that I am the Lord in the midst of the earth. 23 Thus I will put a division between my people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall happen.” 24 And the Lord did so. There came great swarms of flies into the house of Pharaoh and into his servants’ houses. Throughout all the land of Egypt the land was ruined by the swarms of flies. – Exodus 8:20-24

EXODUS 8 GOD SETS APART HIS PEOPLE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When Pharaoh continued to harden his heart after the plague of gnats

The Lord commanded Moses to warn him of the fourth plague of flies

He told Moses that swarms of flies will skip Goshen where his people lived

God sets apart his people from the Egyptians who were evil and wicked.

God’s wrath continued on as Pharaoh hardened his heart more and more. This is so interesting to watch because it seemed like there is nothing this tyrant can do to stop God from saving his people. It is part of God’s plan that his heart is hardened. This is clear evidence of God’s sovereignty and power. It is amazing how patient he is with the Egyptians because he could have just wiped them out instantly. God is so gracious that he wants every human being to have a chance to repent and turn to him.

God’s love for his people was clearly manifested by not letting the swarms of flies cover the land of Goshen, which is also a part of Egypt. This is where Joseph placed his father Jacob and his siblings and their family to settle during the big famine in Egypt. The Lord honors his word to his people.  Even though they may not see how God follows through his covenant promise, the absence of the swarm of flies is evidence of his constant protection. He separates his people from wickedness and evil.

REFLECTION

  • Share how God manifests his setting you apart from the world as a believer.

EXODUS 8 THE THIRD PLAGUE

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May 10

EXODUS 8

16 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, so that it may become gnats in all the land of Egypt.’” 17 And they did so. Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the earth, and there were gnats on man and beast. All the dust of the earth became gnats in all the land of Egypt. 18 The magicians tried by their secret arts to produce gnats, but they could not. So there were gnats on man and beast. 19 Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said. – Exodus 8:16-19

EXODUS 8 THE THIRD PLAGUE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When Pharaoh didn’t release the Israelites after the plague of the frogs

The Lord sent the third plague to the Egyptians by swarming them with gnats

Every beast and man were covered with gnats in all the land of Egypt

But Pharaoh’s heart continued to be hardened and would not listen.

In my own experience as a gardener, gnats are the most annoying creature. I remember one time when I had a mason jar indoor herb garden in the winter and had an infestation of gnats. It consumed me for many months trying to get rid of it. I can not imagine how any of those Egyptians could deal with this plague of gnats all over them.

According to a commentary from the-scripture co.uk, Pharaoh was not given a warning or thinking time about this plague from God as he did with the others. The commentary says that this was a judgment against “Set”, the god of the desert. Unlike the previous plagues, the magicians were unable to duplicate this one and declared to Pharaoh that this must be the finger God. Biblewise.com says that what was alarming was that the gnats came from the dust of the ground, from the earth. The first plague of frogs came from the water. The next plague will come from the sky. So, by having the gnats come from the earth, the narrator is showing the totality of creation- water, earth, sky. The undoing of all aspects of creation will be involved in the lessons for Pharaoh and his people.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think God sent this plague of gnats to Pharaoh and the Egyptians?
  • What is God warning mankind about this plague?

EXODUS 8 THE SECOND PLAGUE

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May 9

EXODUS 8

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. 2 But if you refuse to let them go, behold, I will plague all your country with frogs. 3 The Nile shall swarm with frogs that shall come up into your house and into your bedroom and on your bed and into the houses of your servants and your people, and into your ovens and your kneading bowls. 4 The frogs shall come up on you and on your people and on all your servants.”’” 5 And the Lord said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your hand with your staff over the rivers, over the canals and over the pools, and make frogs come up on the land of Egypt!’” 6 So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt. 7 But the magicians did the same by their secret arts and made frogs come up on the land of Egypt. 8 Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and said, “Plead with the Lord to take away the frogs from me and from my people, and I will let the people go to sacrifice to the Lord.” 9 Moses said to Pharaoh, “Be pleased to command me when I am to plead for you and for your servants and for your people, that the frogs be cut off from you and your houses and be left only in the Nile.” 10 And he said, “Tomorrow.” Moses said, “Be it as you say, so that you may know that there is no one like the Lord our God. 11 The frogs shall go away from you and your houses and your servants and your people. They shall be left only in the Nile.” 12 So Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh, and Moses cried to the Lord about the frogs, as he had agreed with Pharaoh. 13 And the Lord did according to the word of Moses. The frogs died out in the houses, the courtyards, and the fields. 14 And they gathered them together in heaps, and the land stank. 15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart and would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.  – Exodus 8:1-14

EXODUS 8 THE SECOND PLAGUE

You may be wondering why God specifically gave the plague of frogs. According to David Guzik’s commentary, the Egyptian goddess Heqek or Heket was always pictured with the head of a frog. According to ancient Egyptians, frogs were considered sacred and cannot be killed. Another commentary says that they are symbols of renewal, vitality and good luck, good omen and prosperity. Because they dwell in both land and water, God is returning Egypt to a state of disorder and chaos as judgment for their wickedness.

REFLECTION

  • How is the second plague another judgment by God on their idolatry?

EXODUS 7 THE FIRST PLAGUE IN THE NILE

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May 8

EXODUS 7

14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh’s heart is hardened; he refuses to let the people go. 15 Go to Pharaoh in the morning, as he is going out to the water. Stand on the bank of the Nile to meet him, and take in your hand the staff that turned into a serpent. 16 And you shall say to him, ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, sent me to you, saying, “Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness.” But so far, you have not obeyed. 17 Thus says the Lord, “By this you shall know that I am the Lord: behold, with the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water that is in the Nile, and it shall turn into blood. 18 The fish in the Nile shall die, and the Nile will stink, and the Egyptians will grow weary of drinking water from the Nile.”’” 19 And the Lord said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt, over their rivers, their canals, and their ponds, and all their pools of water, so that they may become blood, and there shall be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, even in vessels of wood and in vessels of stone.’” 20 Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded. In the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants he lifted up the staff and struck the water in the Nile, and all the water in the Nile turned into blood. 21 And the fish in the Nile died, and the Nile stank, so that the Egyptians could not drink water from the Nile. There was blood throughout all the land of Egypt. 22 But the magicians of Egypt did the same by their secret arts. So Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said. 23 Pharaoh turned and went into his house, and he did not take even this to heart. 24 And all the Egyptians dug along the Nile for water to drink, for they could not drink the water of the Nile.25 Seven full days passed after the Lord had struck the Nile.  – Exodus 7:14-25

EXODUS 7 THE FIRST PLAGUE IN THE NILE

In this account, we witness the first plague that was sent to the Egyptians. According to a commentary by Matthew Henry, the Nile River was the idol of the Egyptians since they derived so much benefit from it and worshipped it more than the Creator. The Egyptians did not know the Lord who made that river and they worshipped the river instead of the Lord. God’s judgment was manifested in this plague. It was in this river that they also killed the Hebrew children, staining it with their blood, so it was God’s judgment that he turned the river into blood to remind them of their murder and idolatry.

REFLECTION

·       Why did God decide to turn the Nile River into blood?

EXODUS 7 POWERS GIVEN TO MOSES & AARON

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May 7

EXODUS 7

And the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. 2 You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of his land. 3 But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, 4 Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. 5 The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them.” 6 Moses and Aaron did so; they did just as the Lord commanded them. 7 Now Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh.8 Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 9 “When Pharaoh says to you, ‘Prove yourselves by working a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.’” 10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the Lord commanded. Aaron cast down his staff before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. 11 Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts. 12 For each man cast down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs. 13 Still Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.  – Exodus 7:1-12

EXODUS 7 POWERS GIVEN TO MOSES & AARON

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

After the charge was given to Moses and Aaron for delivering God’s people

Moses was given powers to do miracles to free the Israelites from Pharaoh

The Lord declared to Moses that he made him like a God to Pharaoh

And Aaron is his prophet, but after the sign, the king didn’t let them go

Pharaoh called other wise men and sorcerers to do the same miracle

Even though Moses’ serpent ate theirs, it didn’t soften Pharaoh’s heart.

What a privilege it was for Moses to be lifted up to the level of having God’s power. I don’t think any other bible characters were given such power to a man who had little faith. There is hope for all mankind because it is God who chooses whom he wants.

REFLECTION

  • What was revealed here when Pharaoh called other magicians and sorcerers?