Scripture Reference: Exodus 8:20-10:29
3. Deceiving
Please read Exodus 9:13-35 for the background to this section.
It didn’t look like Moses was achieving his purpose, for each new plague only made the situation worse. But God was in control and He knew what He was doing. The Lord always has a new word for His servants; all they have to do is listen, believe, and obey.
A fifth warning (verses 13-21). This is the longest warning so far, perhaps because it introduced the most destructive plague God had sent thus far. Moses again gave God’s command that Pharaoh allow the Jewish people to leave the country for a special meeting with the Lord, but this time the Lord added a special warning: the God of the Hebrews was about to release “the full force” (NIV) of His plagues on Pharaoh, the people, and the land. Pharaoh’s heart had become harder, so God’s disciplines had to become more severe.
Moses reminded the king of the Lord’s mercy: “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.” Simply by speaking the word, God could have wiped out the entire Egyptian nation, but God in His mercy doesn’t give sinners all that they deserve. How grateful Pharaoh should have been, and yet he continued to resist the Lord.
Moses also reminded Pharaoh of God’s sovereign grace, a lesson more than one dictator has had to learn the hard way (Daniel 4:28-33; Acts 12:20-24). Apart from the sovereign will of God, Pharaoh would not have been the ruler of Egypt. Each time Pharaoh resisted God, the Lord used the situation to reveal His power and glorify His name. If Pharaoh exalted himself against God, then God was certainly exalting Himself through Pharaoh. Paul quoted Exodus 9:16 in Romans 9:17 as part of his explanation of the justice and mercy of God with reference to Israel.
The next day, God would send “the worst hailstorm that has ever fallen on Egypt” (NIV), so Moses advised the people to gather into a safe place all the cattle that had not been in the fields and had survived the fifth plague. Even some of Pharaoh’s servants now believed God’s Word and obeyed it, but the king continued to harden his heart.
The seventh plague (verses 22-26). The next day, Moses stretched his rod toward heaven, and God sent thunder, rain, hail, and lightning that ran along the ground. Any person or animal that wasn’t under cover was killed, and the plants and trees in the fields were destroyed. Since the flax and barley were ready for harvest, the plague must have come in January or February. Once again, the Lord protected His people in the land of Goshen and the plague didn’t touch them.
Another royal lie (verses 27-35). Seeing the devastation of his land, Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and Aaron, something he had done time and again and would eventually do again. However, this time the proud king acknowledged the justice of God and admitted that he had sinned! (He would also do that again.) However, his confession was insincere because it didn’t lead to obedience. Moses knew that the king didn’t really fear the Lord. All he and his officials wanted to do was stop the terrible hailstorm.
God in His grace answered Moses’ prayer and stopped the plague. Pharaoh in his duplicity reneged on his promise and wouldn’t let Israel go. When would he ever learn that you can’t fight against God and win?
To Be Continued
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 
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