Exodus

Exodus 9: The righteous LORD rules

Begin in prayer

Before the hail falls on Egypt, let us hear the righteous Lord who gives warning and commands a response. Ask Him for hearts that fear His word and run to Christ for mercy.

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Loving kindness and truth go before your face.

Psalm 89:14

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Teach us to receive Your warnings as true. Lead us to the mercy of Jesus and turn us from empty words. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The LORD strikes the Egyptians' livestock in the field while preserving Israel's livestock. Boils then strike people and animals, and the magicians cannot stand before Moses. God declares that His power and name will be made known throughout the earth. Before sending hail, He commands that servants and livestock be brought inside, and some Egyptians obey. The hail strikes people, animals, flax and barley, while wheat and spelt are spared and Goshen has no hail. Pharaoh admits that the LORD is righteous, yet refuses to release Israel after Moses prays and the storm stops.

As you read Exodus 9, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD rules the earth in righteousness and judges those who resist His word.

The plagues reach Egypt's livestock, human bodies and fields, showing how far God's rule extends. His distinction preserves Israel's animals, and Pharaoh verifies it without yielding. When boils strike, the magicians cannot even stand before Moses. The LORD hardens Pharaoh's heart, just as He had announced. He also says why He has kept Pharaoh standing, so His power and name will be declared through the earth. Before the hail falls, He tells people to bring servants and livestock into shelter. Some of Pharaoh's servants fear the word and obey, while others leave them outside to die. Pharaoh confesses sin during the storm, then hardens his heart when it ends. God's authority includes both the command to seek shelter and the judgment on refusing it.

How does Exodus 9 show us that the LORD rules the earth in righteousness and judges those who resist His word?

God's judgment reaches the powers Pharaoh relies on.

His livestock die, and his magicians cannot stand because of boils. Israel's livestock are spared, and Pharaoh checks the fact. God's righteous power exposes every refuge that cannot save from Him.

God makes His name known through Pharaoh's resistance.

The LORD hardens Pharaoh's heart and declares His purpose in keeping him standing. His name will be proclaimed throughout the earth. Paul takes up these words when explaining God's sovereign mercy (Romans 9 verses 17 and 18).

God's warning must be heard and obeyed.

Those who fear His word bring their servants and livestock inside. Those who disregard it leave them in the field. The threatened death comes, showing the seriousness of refusing the God to whom we must come through Christ.

Words of confession do not excuse continued rebellion.

Pharaoh says the LORD is righteous and that he and his people are wicked. After relief, he sins more and hardens his heart. Repentance turns from the sin that a confession names.

Memorise

Yahweh is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.

Exodus 9:27

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what sin have I admitted without seeking Jesus to rescue me from it?

Pharaoh says, “Yahweh is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.” His words are true, yet he hardens his heart as soon as the storm ends. A right confession can be spoken by a heart still refusing God.

Our guilt needs the righteousness and sacrifice of Jesus. He carried the sin of His people and died beneath God's judgment at the cross. The Father raised Him from the dead, and the debt He paid is settled in full. His completed obedience and sacrifice are enough for the guilty who have no righteousness of their own.

Do more than admit that God's word is right. Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. Sinners who rely on Him are forgiven and counted righteous through Him. The Lord of the earth gives a refuge no storm of judgment can destroy.

Parent's note

Tell your children that confession must go with turning to Christ, whose death and resurrection are sufficient for guilty people. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His righteous rule and His warning to seek shelter, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.

Matthew 5:6

Righteous Lord, thank You that Your judgments are true. We confess that our words have often outrun our obedience. Please turn us from sin and teach us to rest in Jesus. Make our repentance sincere, and help us take Your warnings seriously when temptation comes. Amen.