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Exodus 9:8-12

Exodus 9:8–12 ESV

8 And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Take handfuls of soot from the kiln, and let Moses throw them in the air in the sight of Pharaoh. 9 It shall become fine dust over all the land of Egypt, and become boils breaking out in sores on man and beast throughout all the land of Egypt.” 10 So they took soot from the kiln and stood before Pharaoh. And Moses threw it in the air, and it became boils breaking out in sores on man and beast. 11 And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils, for the boils came upon the magicians and upon all the Egyptians. 12 But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as the Lord had spoken to Moses.

THE QUESTION to which the message clings...

“What have you received that you never wanted; but without it, you could obtain what you most needed?”

The character of today’s message - obviously graphic.

This is the end of the 2nd cycle of plagues. Remember, the wonders are broken into 3 cycles of 3 and the final plague - the Passover.

There are basically 3 manners in which each plague unfolds:

Confrontation

Announcement and warning

Execution of the plague W/O WARNING!

BOILS… are number 3 of cycle 2. They’re gross… and, literally, personal.

Let’s look back at the passage and note some of the distinctives of the wonder of the boils compared to the wonders preceeding it…

Moses and Aaron are still called upon by God to act as duo… however, it’s at least worth noting that Moses’ role has elevated. Before this wonder, it was Aaron raising Moses’ staff or Aaron playing the lead role of ‘executioner’ of the plague. In the plague of the livestock, “the LORD did this thing” rather than Moses or Aaron as the activating agent.This time, Moses, will take the soot and “throw them in the air in the sight of Pharaoh.” (Note the transformation that has taken place in the person of Moses from Egypt, to Midian, to the initial confrontation with Pharaoh… it appears God is solidifying Moses as Israel’s authority; the one whom they will listen to for God’s edicts.

Consider the soot being tossed in the face of Pharaoh…

THE STORY OF COVID before it was ‘COVID’

Toss the soot in the air over the mat… who can escape those particles?!

The redemptive irony of the kiln soot...

430 years Egypt has enslaved the Israelites with forced labor and the task of making bricks to build their empire… now the very bricks that built their empire and gave them physical dominion over multitudes would ulcerate their bodies with festering boils…

The play on words for the boils is fascinating as well… The Hebrew root word for “soot” is the same Hebrew root word for “hot things”. Shakhan means “to become hot” and is the root word used for “boils”. The Egyptians and their livestock (whatever ones remain from the previous plague) are covered with “hot things.”

“Hot things”

Finally, who was to deal with the “hot things” plaguing the Egyptians and their livestock?

Before this wonder, the Magicians have stood before Moses and contended with whatever he and Aaron brought. The Magicians in view here are a part of a priestly class know for worshiping the goddess Sekhmet - the goddess over disease. now, these priests are powerless and suppressed by the disease and incapable of concocting a remedy.

The magicians could no longer stand before Moses (or with Pharaoh), but Moses stood before Pharaoh that he might make known YAHWEH, Almighty.

Now the last thread of this text - weaving together a difficult truth and sobering teaching.

Previous to this moment, we reference to God hardening Pharaoh’s heart. But at this moment we have inference. What are we to do with God hardening Pharaoh’s heart?

Let me ask this question: Is there anything MORE you are wanting from God before you would acknowledge Him and obey him?

There is an account in the book of Luke where we see some of the theology of “heart hardening” worked out. Luke 16: 19-31

Luke 16:19–31 ESV

19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ 27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ ”

Connect the boils released upon Egypt with the sores on Lazarus.

YAHWEH gave Pharaoh ALL he needed to acknowledge Him and obey Him… and still yet he hardened his heart. There are moments where Pharaoh feigns obedience and barters with Moses for the Egyptians to be spared from plagues. But it was only that, feigned obedience. He did not acknowledge YAHWEH; he would not obey Him through Moses and Aaron.

Likewise, the Rich Man begged for someone to be sent back from the dead so that his brothers would not experience the torment he was undergoing. But Jesus response to him… “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.” - They’d hardened their hearts… so God made them to remain that way.

The next 3 plagues will enter new manifestation of revelation for the Egyptians. If Pharaoh and Egypt will not let God’s people go - if they will not submit to the wonders of God… He will unleash the fullness of His plagues. beginning with hail.

Is there anything more that you are expecting from God before you would respond to him in obedience? He’s already given you ALL that you need. “Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer, Who makes the woeful heart to sing.”