9:1-3 Moses is instructed by God to confront Pharaoh a fifth time. This time, after his refusal to free the slaves, Egypt will experience a pestilence spread throughout their livestock. God is making visible the effects of evil with each plague. Each serves as a metaphor of what evil does to a person and society. With this pestilence, even their livelihood will be affected. For evil is like a pestilence which affects every aspect of life.
9:4-6 The livestock of the slaves, the children of Jacob, will not be harmed. God plans the event to happen the next day and it does, exactly as He plans. The children of Jacob are enduring their own testing: tests of faith and resilience.
9:7 Although none of the livestock of the children of Jacob suffered, all of Pharaoh's livestock died. This is a stark contrast from the previous Egypt we read about, the Egypt that thrived even during a famine. The difference between Egypt then and Egypt here is the nature of its leader. This leader is in opposition to God and therefore rejects God's guidance and wisdom.
9:8-10 The sixth plague: Moses manifests boils on the humans and animals of Egypt. The continuous stream of ugliness overtakes the land of Egypt. These physical representations of the impacts evil makes on a person and society continue to pelt this corrupt land (the Egypt in this particular biblical chapter, not Egypt in general).
9:11-12 Pharaoh's decision remains unchanged. The magicians are this time unable to try to discredit Moses and Aaron because they too have been afflicted by the boils.
8:13-14 God kept Moses busy. As dutiful children, we allow God to direct our lives in purpose and toward fulfillment. The message Moses is to deliver to Pharaoh is this: the divine instruction implemented throughout Egypt is to be made personal to Pharaoh.
Pharaoh is convinced that he is the all-powerful leader. His followers have come to believe the same. When Pharaoh's household shows the same vulnerability as the weakest in his society, his claim of regency will be denounced. After all, as God's children already know, there is no hierarchy between souls.
8:15-17 Pharaoh never would have had any power had God not created him. Even though he did not realize it, God utilized Pharaoh and his kingdom to show the world that even the most mighty on earth do not compare to the creator.
We benefit from time. In early human history, kings were revered like gods. The powerful were untouchable and fascinating. In our lifetime, there is a clear distinction between human and divine. Many cultures even accept that all humans are created equally. This was not the case for the people of Moses and Aaron's time. That idea needed to be delivered to the world. These series of plagues are not punishments doled by God but are instead lessons given.
8:18-19 The seventh plague: Hail. Egypt is warned of an all-encompassing storm. Like corruption has done, this storm will reduce Egypt to chaos and danger. Our creator is precise: justice and truth are ordered. Egypt is in desperate need for correction and alignment.
8:20-21 Some people believed and took precaution. Others mocked or neglected and ended up losing everything.
8:21-25 Through Moses, God brings a hailstorm to Egypt.
8:26 The children of Israel are safe from the storm. This serves as an example to God's opposition, those against Him have no protection from the storms their corrupt behavior creates.
8:27-28 Pharaoh makes another declaration to release the children of Israel but God is not yet done instructing.
8:29-30 Moses brings Pharaoh's message to God but he makes it clear that he does not believe that Pharaoh's change of heart is sincere. Rather than authentically learn, grow and change, Pharaoh would rather have this nuisance removed and remain exactly as he is.
8:31 There still remained enough crop for people to eat from.
Pharaoh is convinced that he is the all-powerful leader. His followers have come to believe the same. When Pharaoh's household shows the same vulnerability as the weakest in his society, his claim of regency will be denounced. After all, as God's children already know, there is no hierarchy between souls.
8:15-17 Pharaoh never would have had any power had God not created him. Even though he did not realize it, God utilized Pharaoh and his kingdom to show the world that even the most mighty on earth do not compare to the creator.
We benefit from time. In early human history, kings were revered like gods. The powerful were untouchable and fascinating. In our lifetime, there is a clear distinction between human and divine. Many cultures even accept that all humans are created equally. This was not the case for the people of Moses and Aaron's time. That idea needed to be delivered to the world. These series of plagues are not punishments doled by God but are instead lessons given.
8:18-19 The seventh plague: Hail. Egypt is warned of an all-encompassing storm. Like corruption has done, this storm will reduce Egypt to chaos and danger. Our creator is precise: justice and truth are ordered. Egypt is in desperate need for correction and alignment.
8:20-21 Some people believed and took precaution. Others mocked or neglected and ended up losing everything.
8:21-25 Through Moses, God brings a hailstorm to Egypt.
8:26 The children of Israel are safe from the storm. This serves as an example to God's opposition, those against Him have no protection from the storms their corrupt behavior creates.
8:27-28 Pharaoh makes another declaration to release the children of Israel but God is not yet done instructing.
8:29-30 Moses brings Pharaoh's message to God but he makes it clear that he does not believe that Pharaoh's change of heart is sincere. Rather than authentically learn, grow and change, Pharaoh would rather have this nuisance removed and remain exactly as he is.
8:31 There still remained enough crop for people to eat from.
9:32-35 Pharaoh changes his mind (as God warned he would) and decides to continue to enslave the ancestors of Jacob.
