Exodus 9 Summary

Exodus 9 records three successive plagues upon Egypt: a deadly murrain that kills the livestock of the Egyptians while leaving the Israelites' cattle untouched, an outbreak of boils upon men and beasts caused by furnace ashes sprinkled toward heaven by Moses, and a catastrophic storm of hail mingled with fire that destroys crops, people, and animals in the field throughout Egypt. Before the hail, God declares through Moses that Pharaoh has been raised up for the very purpose of displaying God's power and making His name known throughout all the earth, and He warns those who fear His word to shelter their livestock. In each plague, a distinction is maintained between Egypt and the land of Goshen where Israel dwells, and Pharaoh briefly confesses his sin and begs Moses to intercede during the hail, yet once the storm ceases he hardens his heart again and refuses to release the people.