“Behold, tomorrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.”
Exodus 9:18 is part of the account of the plagues that God brought upon Egypt during the time of Moses. This particular verse is part of the warning Moses delivered to Pharaoh before the seventh plague, which was a devastating hailstorm.
Context: The context of Exodus 9:18 is important for understanding its significance. At this point in the narrative, Moses had already confronted Pharaoh multiple times, asking him to let the Israelites go. However, Pharaoh continued to harden his heart and refused to release the Israelites from slavery.
Divine Warning: In this verse, Moses is relaying God’s message to Pharaoh about the impending hailstorm. The Lord tells Pharaoh that the next day, there would be an extraordinary hailstorm that would cause great destruction in Egypt. It is noteworthy that God specifies that this hailstorm would be unlike anything Egypt had ever experienced before.
God’s Sovereignty: Through this verse, we see God’s sovereignty and power over nature. He has complete control over the weather and can use it as a means to bring judgment or deliverance. In this instance, God is using the hailstorm to demonstrate His authority and to show Pharaoh that He is the one true God.
Pharaoh’s Hardened Heart: The plagues in Exodus were not only a demonstration of God’s power but also an opportunity for Pharaoh to acknowledge God’s authority and release the Israelites. However, Pharaoh’s heart remained stubborn and hardened, and he continued to resist God’s command. This verse highlights Pharaoh’s persistent refusal to submit to God’s will.
God’s Faithfulness and Patience: Despite Pharaoh’s resistance, God consistently fulfilled His promises and demonstrated His faithfulness throughout the plagues. Each plague served as a sign to Pharaoh and the Egyptians that the God of Israel was mighty and worthy of reverence. Through these plagues, God displayed His patience, giving Pharaoh numerous chances to repent and change his course of action.
Symbolism: The plagues in Exodus have symbolic significance as well. Each plague was not only a physical manifestation of God’s power but also a confrontation against the false gods of Egypt. The hailstorm, for instance, was an attack on Nut, the Egyptian goddess of the sky and heavens, who was believed to control the weather.
Overall, Exodus 9:18 illustrates God’s authority over nature, His patience in dealing with Pharaoh, and His faithfulness to fulfill His promises. It serves as a reminder of the consequences that come from resisting God and refusing to acknowledge His sovereignty.
