Exodus Chapter 9

It is too bad that Egypt was ruled by such a prideful Pharaoh that he could not bring himself to acknowledge the work of the creator God.  The Pharaoh that preceded him at least acknowledged and showed Joseph and his God respect.  The current Pharaoh in this account was a man who denied the existence of God even with mounting evidence all around him.  He hardened his heart more and more against God.  Most people would have softened their heart when experiencing such incredulous times, but not this man.  He was the defiant type who shook his fist in the face of the power of almighty God.

Let's Reflect

1. The fifth plague was a severe plague that struck the livestock of the land of Egypt.  What did God tell the Pharaoh about the livestock of the Israel?

2. After the livestock died in Egypt the Pharaoh sent out men to find out something for him.  What was it, that he wanted to know?  Did the answer soften his heart?

3. The sixth plague seemed to be instituted without any warning from Moses.  He followed God’s direction, and all of the Egyptians suffered from this plague.  What was it?

4. Moses is then directed by God to once again go before the Pharaoh and ask him to let the people of Israel go free.  Notice that one of the things he would tell the Pharaoh is that God has all the authority and He could have already taken their very lives.  Why did God say that He had spared their lives?

5. The next plague would prove to be the scariest thus far.  Anyone or any animal out in the open would be taken out by large hail stones falling from the heavens.  What also would they experience with the hailstones?

6. In verse 27 we read something that would appear to be repentance.  The Pharaoh said that he had sinned and that the LORD was right and he was wrong.  But this was not a contrite heart.  This was more like a person who says they are sorry because they got caught sinning.  Was Moses able to detect that this was not true repentance coming out of the mouth of the Pharaoh?

7. There is a side note that tells us about the destruction of the hail in verse 31.  What is the significance of this statement? 

8. What happened in verse 34 when Moses stretched out his arms despite the lie of the Pharaoh?