(1) Overview
We are now in the second half of the 10 plagues. The plague on the livestock v.1-7 indicates not only the economic loss, but God's power to take the lives of the animals. The plague of the boils mentioned the magicians v.11 whom were the physicians as well. (NAC) To the Egyptians the magical, the medicinal, and the miraculous were all closely linked. The fact that they could not stand and also had the boils showed that the doctors could not heal themselves. The last plague was the severe hails with fire. Both men's and livestocks' lives were lost v.19. There was a clear trend in these 3 plagues: God could take their lives and no one could help them.
9:15 For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with plague, and you would have been destroyed from the earth. 9:16 But for this purpose I have caused you to stand: to show you my strength, and so that my name may be declared in all the earth. 9:17 You are still exalting yourself against my people by not releasing them.
(2) Any sensible person could see the advantage over disadvantage and let the Israelites go, but not Pharaoh and his servants.
v.34b...both he and his servants hardened their hearts
9:7 Pharaoh sent representatives to investigate, and indeed, not even one of the livestock of Israel had died. But Pharaoh’s heart remained hard, and he did not release the people.
What does "hard" v.7 means?
(BDB) heavy, insensible, dull, of the eyes, so as to be unable to see Gn 48:10 ; of the ears; of the [heart], hard, insensible Ex 9:7
Note, a hard heart did not mean he did not care.
Pharaoh sent representatives to investigate v.7. Also a hard heart did not mean he did not admit that God was right and they were wrong.
v.27b The LORD is righteous, and I and my people are guilty
(NET) Pharaoh here is saying that Yahweh is right, and the Egyptians are not—so they are at fault, guilty. S. R. Driver says the words are used in their forensic sense (in the right or wrong standing legally) and not in the ethical sense of morally right and wrong (Exodus, 75).
In other words, if unsaved persons who investigate and inquire about God it does not mean their hearts were open. Second, if anyone who admits that God is right and they are wrong it does not mean that they are willing to submit to God.
(3) Reflection: We want to pray for the unsaved not to harden their hearts. Even when we see them to participate in Bible study does not mean we can relax in our prayers. How about ourselves? Are we insensible or dull in our hearts? We let our heart untouched by what God has done for us? We could see from what He has done that He was righteous and we are guilty, but are we willing to submit to Him? e.g. You gave thanks to God when your difficulties were overcome, but are you willing to submit to His Words and be a submissive wife? Does your experience and your willingness to submit to His words match?
Audrey
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