QT 2/24/2026 Exo 9:1-7, The effect of stubbornness is increased stupidity

 

Exodus 9:1–7 (ESV) —

1 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.

 

NOTE: The plagues now, starting with the flies, only affect the Egyptians. Whereas before they affected the persons, and caused inconveniences, they now attack the wealth of Egypt. The statement, all the livestock died, is probably a very common literary statement, hyperbole, which is an overstatement for the sake of emphasis. We know from other plagues that some livestock survive. This is the first time that Pharaoh 'checks' the validity of Moses' statement regarding the separation of Jew and Egyptian from the effects of a plague. The bull was a very important symbol to Egypt of its god Mnevis, as well as associated with the god Re. The attack on the wealth of Egypt is a huge step up from the previous plagues. Egypt is far from ruined, but with each plague, Egypt moves from one of the most powerful nations on earth, to one of the weakest nations -- at least for a time.

 

How does this apply to us? When God is trying to get my attention, what must it take to wake me up?

 

PONDER:

1. We need to pray Ps 139: 23-24 regularly less we fall like Egypt.

 

Psalm 139:23–24 (ESV) —

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts!

24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting!

 

PRAYER: Father, help me to see the things I don't want to see. Protect me from my own stupidity.