“For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt.”
Context: The book of Exodus recounts the story of the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt. In this particular verse, we find ourselves in the midst of the seventh plague, which is a severe hailstorm.
Plague of Hail: Prior to this verse, God had sent Moses to Pharaoh, warning him to let the Israelites go, or else Egypt would face a devastating plague of hail. Pharaoh, however, continued to harden his heart and refused to release the Israelites.
Complete Devastation: The verse describes the aftermath of the hailstorm. It states that the hail covered the face of the whole earth, resulting in darkness across the land. Additionally, the hail destroyed every herb and fruit tree that had not already been consumed by the locusts in the previous plague. The land of Egypt was left barren and desolate, devoid of any green vegetation.
Divine Judgment and Power: This verse showcases God’s power and judgment over Egypt. The severity of the hailstorm demonstrates God’s authority and ability to control the elements. It also highlights the extent to which God was willing to go in order to secure the release of His people from bondage.
Symbolism: The plague of hail can be seen as symbolic in several ways. It represents God’s control over nature and His ability to use natural elements as instruments of His judgment. The darkness that covered the land could symbolize the spiritual darkness and ignorance that Pharaoh and the Egyptians were experiencing by rejecting God’s commands.
Pharaoh’s Hardened Heart: Despite witnessing the devastating effects of the hailstorm, Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened. His refusal to acknowledge God’s power and authority led to further calamity upon Egypt.
