Many people have hardened hearts because they haven’t made a distinction between God’s unmistakable and powerful messages and the world’s. God uses tough circumstances, pestilence, bad health and natural disasters to get our attention to we listen to Him. People also exalt themselves above God by not acknowledging His unmistakable and powerful character. They don’t take God’s word seriously. God protects believers. He shows unbelievers His righteousness so they will admit their sin. The dynamics of hardened hearts, exalting self and not taking God’s word seriously is demonstrated by Pharaoh in contrast to God’s unmistakable and powerful messages and character to protect believers and show enemies His righteousness in Ex. 9.  

God’s Unmistakable & Powerful Messages
Lord said to Moses to tell Pharaoh to let His people go so they may serve Him. If he refused to let them go, the Lord’s hand would come with severe pestilence on Egypt’s livestock and animals in order to make a distinction with Israel’s surviving. The Lord said He would take action tomorrow. Pharaoh’s heart hardened after Egypt’s cattle died, but not Israel’s. He did not let the people go (Ex. 9:1-7). God makes His messages unmistakable from the world’s.

Handfuls of soot from a kiln thrown by Moses became boils, which broke out with sores on man and beast. Magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils. Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart and did not listen to them, just as the Lord had spoken to Moses (Ex. 9:8-12). God defeats Satan’s power.

God’s Unmistakable & Powerful Character
The Lord instructed Moses to tell Pharaoh to let His people go that they may serve Him. God would send all His plagues on everyone to let Pharaoh know there is no one like Him in all the earth. God kept him alive to show His power and proclaim His name through all the earth. Moses said, “Still you exalt yourself against My people by not letting them go” (Ex. 9:13-17). God proclaims His power and name with miracles throughout the earth. 

God promised He would send heavy hail in Egypt that would kill every living thing outside. One who feared the word of the Lord made his servants and livestock flee into houses but one who regard the word left them in the field (Ex. 9:18-21). Those who regard God’s word instead of hardening their hearts take appropriate action to protect themselves. 

God Shows Believers His Protection
Moses stretched out his staff and the Lord sent thunder, hail and fire more severe than ever in Egypt. Only in Goshen where Israel lived was there no hail (Ex. 9:22-26). God stops natural disasters from hurting God’s people.

God Shows Enemies His Righteousness
Pharaoh said to Moses and Aaron that he had sinned and admitted the Lord is the righteous one while he and the people were wicked. Pharaoh asked them to make supplication to the Lord because of the thunder and hail before letting them go.  Even though Moses said he would stop the hail, he knew that Pharaoh and his servants didn’t fear the Lord God.  Flax and barley were ruined, but not the late ripening wheat and spelt. When Pharaoh saw  the rain, hail and thunder stop, he sinned, hardened his heart and did not let Israel go (Ex. 9:27-35). Miracles and natural disasters show God is righteous. 

How have you seen God use tough circumstances, pestilence, bad health and natural disaster to proclaim His power and name? What action will you take in response to God’s word to protect yourself, family and friends from disaster?


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