Exodus 9:33

And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the Lord: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.

Exodus 9:33 (KJV)

Context

This verse closes the seventh plague, the plague of hail, which God sent upon Egypt because Pharaoh refused to let Israel go. Earlier, Moses warned Pharaoh that a severe storm would strike, and he stretched out his staff toward heaven. Hail, thunder, fire, and rain fell, destroying crops, livestock, and people, except for those who obeyed God’s warning and took shelter.

Moses then left Pharaoh and the city, and spread his hands abroad to the LORD. This was not a random gesture; it was a deliberate act of prayer and obedience. In Exodus 9:29, Moses had already told Pharaoh that the storm would stop when he went out and spread his hands, so that Pharaoh might know that the earth is the LORD’s. The immediate cessation of the storm showed that God controls nature completely.

Meaning

The phrase “spread abroad his hands unto the LORD” pictures a person completely open and dependent before God. Moses acted as a mediator between God and Pharaoh, and his posture expressed humble trust. The thunders and hail ceased, and the rain stopped, proving that God answers prayer and that His word is reliable.

This event also reveals God’s power over creation. He can bring calamity and He can halt it at will. The destruction of flax and barley, while wheat and spelt survived because they were later crops, shows the precise judgment of God. Nothing happens by chance under His rule.

Biblical connections

Moses’ intercession here points to the role of Christ, who is the perfect mediator between God and humanity. Just as Moses prayed for Pharaoh and the land, Christ intercedes for His people. The contrast between Moses’ faithful obedience and Pharaoh’s hardened heart is clear throughout the plagues. Pharaoh saw God’s power yet refused to repent, and he later sinned again (Exodus 9:34).

Application

For believers today, this verse encourages confident prayer. God hears and answers, and His purposes will stand. It also warns that experiencing God’s power does not guarantee repentance. Pharaoh witnessed the storm stop, but his heart remained hard. We must examine our own response to God’s instructions and trust Him even in overwhelming circumstances.

Reflection

God’s sovereignty brings both judgment and mercy. He used the hail to humble Egypt, yet He also showed mercy by stopping the storm when Moses prayed. This assures us that God is actively involved in the world and in our lives. We can approach Him with open hands, knowing that He is faithful to His word and able to bring relief and fulfill His purposes.