EXODUS –LESSON 15
LEARN: Isaiah 26:10
But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.
READ: Exodus 9:1-35
1. How does the LORD address himself to Pharaoh at this time? v 1
2. Previously the plagues had caused inconvenience and discomfort. What did the LORD promise would be affected at this time, if Pharaoh continued in his rebellion against the LORD? v 3a
3. The LORD says which animals will be affected. What does the use of the word “cattle” include according to verse 3?
4. How did the LORD show his power and that the plague was not of the usual sort that the cattle of Egypt often suffered from? vv 4-6
5. Since the LORD gave the people a certain amount of time, what would any of the Egyptians who believed God have been able to do to save their animals? Use verse 2 as help.
6. In this case Pharaoh in curiosity sent his own people to see whether the Hebrews had spared from the plague as God had said. Did what Pharaoh learned make any difference in his behavior? v 7
NOTE: Horses were a comparatively recent and highly prized importation to Egypt. The death of all these various animals would have affected transportation, agriculture, and worship (since cattle were sacred to the Egyptians). Ryrie Study Bible comment for Exodus 9:3
NOTE: Pharaoh’s heart was utterly hard to the suffering of the animals. He did not even ask that the plague should be removed. The sufferings and miserable deaths of thousands of beast s made not the slightest impression upon him. PULPIT COMMENTARY Genesis Exodus p 200
7. How different is our Lord from Pharaoh as regards the suffering of his creatures? Jonah 4:11; Matthew 10:29
8. In the case of this plague we see that the animals suffer. In this world, animals suffer not only to provide food for man, but also because of man’s sinful and cruel behavior. What does Romans 8:18-22 tell us is the cause of animals suffering?
9. In the verses from Romans 8, what promise does the Lord make as regards not only man , but also the animals?
10. When will the animals be restored to their pre- suffering state? Isaiah 11:1-10
11. What is the 6th plague that the LORD brought on Pharaoh and his country? vv 8, 9
NOTE: “And shall be breaking forth with bains.”- Literally, and inflammation, begetting pustules.”
12. How severe was the suffering caused by the boils with blains? v 11
13. In Deuteronomy 28:27, the LORD speaks of a plague that he brought upon Egypt, which he would also use to punish Israel if they rejected him. Describe the plague.
14. Why would a plague of this nature be more than a mere annoyance as with earlier plagues? What would it warn the Egyptians of?
15. Up to this point Pharaoh had continually hardened his heart himself, or the hardening was expressed indefinitely as a process that was continually going on. What is stated definitely here for the first time? v 12 How had the LORD shown his forbearance to Pharaoh up until this point?
16. As the LORD announces the 7th plague to Pharaoh, he gives far more what further information than he has previously given. LORD give to him? vv 13-16 What is God’s purpose in sending the plague? v 14
17. What will be the final outcome of the plagues upon Pharaoh? v 15
18. How would the LORD be glorified through Pharaoh’s very life? v 16
19. Is Pharaoh’s position as ruler of his people by God’s decree the only such case? Explain using the following verses Isaiah 45:1-5; Daniel 4:28-37; Proverbs 21:1 Why would knowing that God controls the rulers of the earth for his own purposes be a comfort to us?
20. How severe would this plague be? v 18
21. How did the LORD show his mercy to the Egyptians when he announced this plague?
22. Did any of the Egyptians believe the word of the LORD? Explain. vv 20, 21
23. Describe the plague of hail. vv 22-25