“And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled.”
Exodus 9:31 is part of the narrative of the seventh plague that struck Egypt during the time of Moses. In this verse, we learn that both flax and barley crops were severely affected by the plague.
To better understand the significance of this verse, it is helpful to provide some context. The Book of Exodus recounts the story of the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt. God sent a series of ten plagues upon the land to compel Pharaoh to release the Hebrew people. Each plague demonstrated the power of God and served as a judgment upon the Egyptian gods.
In the seventh plague, God sent a hailstorm upon Egypt. Exodus 9:22-26 describes how the hail destroyed crops, trees, and animals, leaving only Goshen, the land where the Israelites dwelled, unaffected. It was a miraculous display of God’s authority over nature.
Coming specifically to Exodus 9:31, we learn that the flax and barley crops suffered greatly due to the hail. The barley, which was “in the ear,” refers to the fact that it was in the early stages of growth, producing the grain heads or spikes. The flax, on the other hand, was “bolled,” meaning it was forming flower buds or had reached the stage of flowering.
The significance of these specific crops being affected is noteworthy. Barley was a staple crop in ancient Egypt and was used for various purposes, including food, brewing, and feeding livestock. Flax, on the other hand, was used for making linen, an important textile material in the region.
By targeting these crops, God demonstrated His power over the agricultural and economic resources of Egypt. He was not only showing His authority over nature but also bringing judgment upon the Egyptian gods associated with these crops. In the ancient Egyptian pantheon, there were gods connected to agriculture, such as Osiris, who was considered the god of fertility, including the growth of crops. The destruction of the flax and barley crops revealed the impotence of these deities in the face of the true God.
From a broader theological perspective, Exodus 9:31 reminds us of God’s sovereignty and control over all aspects of creation. It highlights His ability to manipulate the natural order for His purposes, whether to bring judgment or to deliver His people. It serves as a reminder of the Israelites’ dependence on God’s provision, as well as a warning to the Egyptians about the futility of their false gods.
Overall, Exodus 9:31 is a small but significant part of the larger narrative of God’s deliverance of the Israelites and His demonstration of power and judgment upon the gods of Egypt.
