Exodus 9:1-7 - The Fifth Mighty Sign - The Supernatural Death of the Egyptian Livestock
Notes
Transcript
The Word Read
The Word Read
Please remain standing for the reading of the Holy Scripture. Hear the Word of the Lord from Exodus 9:4:
4 But the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that nothing of all that belongs to the people of Israel shall die.” ’ ”
Behold, brothers and sisters, this is the Word of the Lord. Please be seated.
Exordium
Exordium
Dear Church,
I invite you to open Holy Scripture to Exodus 9:1-7. In the Lord’s providence, I ended up reading a few books, and watching a few videos, that were centered on Jonathan Edwards. Edwards was a pastor, theologian, and philosopher who lived in the 18th century. He was passionate for living a God-entranced life, or a whole life dedicated to the glory of God. He certainly had his weaknesses as a pastor, but this was a great strength of his.
There are some pastors, theologians, and church historians who are writing and speaking about the fall of American Evangelicalism. There may be churches that are growing numerically, but have the lost a vision for the glory of God shining brightly in Christ that Edwards crystalized in his writings and sermons. Is God’s holiness, righteousness, sovereignty, wisdom, and goodness missing today?
As I spent time with Edwards this week, I was reminded over and over again of the mighty signs in Exodus. The brilliant glory of God is clearly seen. The radiating holiness of God is on display. His power and majesty shine brighter than the luminous explosion of a supernova that fills the lens of a telescope. My prayer for us all is that we would peer into the mighty signs and gaze upon the glory of God.
The sermon title is , “The Fifth Mighty Sign - The Supernatural Death of the Egyptian Livestock.” There are two sections to this sermon, 1)Exodus 9:1-5 - , and 2) Exodus 9:6-7 - Pharaoh’s Investigation and Hardened Heart.
Exodus 9:1-5 - Yahweh’s Warning to Pharaoh
Exodus 9:1-5 - Yahweh’s Warning to Pharaoh
1 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. 2 For if you refuse to let them go and still hold them, 3 behold, the hand of the Lord will fall with a very severe plague upon your livestock that are in the field, the horses, the donkeys, the camels, the herds, and the flocks. 4 But the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that nothing of all that belongs to the people of Israel shall die.” ’ ” 5 And the Lord set a time, saying, “Tomorrow the Lord will do this thing in the land.”
If you look over these seven verses you’ll notice one word is repeated more than any other word - “Lord.” Yahweh’s name appears in verses 1 (2x), 3, 4, 5 (2x), and 6. We can be entire confident that Yahweh is sovereign over the might plagues that will bring Egypt to her knees. We can be assured that Yahweh will bring redemption to the people of Israel, as we saw last week. If we can be confident of Yahweh’s sovereignty over the redemption of the people of Israel out of Egypt, we can also be assured of the Lord’s sovereignty over our own salvation. Since God is sovereign in our salvation, we can have entire confidence that He will redeem us on the great day of Judgment. In fact, Judgment Day, for us, is turned from fear and dread to praise. We long for Judgment Day because this launches us into eternal life. As Yahweh’s mighty hand sovereign saves the people of Israel for His glory, so does God’s mighty hand save us, and we look forward to the day when the new heaven and the new earth is before us. Yahweh fills the narrative of the Exodus, and Christ fills the pages of our own lives in redemption because we were unable to save ourselves.
In this mighty sign, Moses is told, in verse 1, to “go in to Pharaoh.” This most likely means Moses would have went into Pharaoh’s palace to speak with him. Yahweh commands Pharaoh once again, “Let my people go, so that they might serve or worship me.” Why are the people of Israel to be let go? So that they might worship God. This gets to the core, or the theme, of the entire book of Exodus - God's promised presence is with His children as He fulfills His covenant to the patriarchs, saving Israel for His glory. God will remain faithful to the covenant He made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The promise given to Abraham in Genesis 15:13-14 is now becoming a reality.
13 Then the Lord said to Abram, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. 14 But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions.
The covenant people of God has been set apart so that they might worship the one and true God. This is true for you too. You have been redeem by the precious blood of Christ so that you might worship God. You aren’t simply saved so that you can live however you want on earth. You aren’t simply saved so that you do have to go to that really bad place, “Hell,” but instead get to go to a nice place, “Heaven.” You have been saved by the redemptive work of Christ so that you might worship Him for all eternity. Do you set aside time each day for devotions? Do you spend Saturday evenings preparing your heart to worship God on Sunday mornings? Do you seek to worship Him throughout your entire day? Do you give glory to God as you wash the dishes, clean your home, shop at Walmart, parent your children, watch your grandchildren, speak with your spouse, check your finances, scroll on your phones, watch television, etc.?
Living a life with the primary aim of glorifying God brings us the ultimate satisfaction. By the Spirit’s work in our lives we walk with the Lord with incredible joy seeking to humbly and obediently please Him in every aspect of our lives. Nothing is off limits because He has chosen to redeem us because of His grace. As Paul writes in Romans 12:1:
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Our whole life is meant to be a holy and acceptable sacrifice to God. Why? As Scripture says, this is our spiritual worship. Like the people of Israel, we are called and commanded to worship the Lord with our entire lives.
In verse 2, Yahweh tells Pharaoh what will happen if Pharaoh refuses, or willfully and deliberately refuses, to let the people of Israel go to worship Him. The wording for “hold” in verse 2 reveals a picture. Pharaoh has seized or grasped Israel and is not letting them go. Almost as if Pharaoh has one hand on the back of Israel’s head refusing to let go. “You are under my authority,” says Pharaoh.
However, Yahweh promises that if Pharaoh does not let Israel go the hand of the Lord will fall upon Egypt and they will experience a severe plague; the livestock of the field will die. However, there will be another miracle in the midst of this supernatural plague - the livestock of the people of Israel will be untouched. None of their livestock will perish.
As we take a look at verses 2-5, we see some incredible truths that leap off the page of Scripture. In verse 3, “the hand of the Lord will fall.” What does that mean? The hand of Yahweh speaks to His power, His presence, His authority, and His control. Egypt might be the greatest and strongest nation in the world at this time. Pharaoh might be the greatest leader at this time. However, Pharaoh’s power is incredible limited and small when compared with Yahweh’s might and power. Look at the livestock that will be affected: horses, donkeys, camels, herds (domestic cattle), and the flocks. These animals were symbols of power and wealth. These animals were used for domestic purposes. These animals were used as sources of food and clothing. Furthermore, some of these animals were sacred to the Egyptians. In one plague, Yahweh has brought low the supposed gods of Egypt as well as their economy. The most powerful nation in the world is brought low by the Creator of the world. Judgment is being poured out upon Pharaoh for holding God’s people hostage. Yahweh’s hand is about to fall upon Pharaoh and Egypt once again.
Notice the second supernatural miracle in 4. The Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt. It is the reality that the covenant people of God are set apart from those who are God’s enemies. This was true for the people of Israel in these pages and this is true for us today as well.
We no longer sit under the wrath of God if we are in Christ. As Romans 5:1 states,
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Notice what Paul writes, peace with God only comes through the Lord Jesus Christ. What an incredibly offensive message to our culture. In an age that claims all religions lead to God, or you can live however you desire, the Word of God says, “You will never have peace with the Creator and Judge unless you are justified by faith which can only come through Jesus Christ. This is why Paul can boldly declare in Romans 8:1:
1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
“Condemnation” is a legal term used to pronounce someone who has done wrong as “guilty.” All humans are guilty of sin, both original sin that has been give to us through Adam and actual sins which we have committed. We are guilty. However, those who have been saved by Christ Jesus, have been set apart. In the great courtroom of the Most High God we are not declared “guilty,” but declared “righteous” because of the person and work of Christ. This is the greatest exchange that has ever occured. This is the most beautiful exchange that has ever occured. Our sin has been given to Christ, and Christ’s righteousness has been imputed to us. Due to this most wonderful exchange, found when we humble ourselves and cry out to Christ to save us, we have been set apart. As Paul writes in many of his epistles, “to the saints”, holy ones who have been set apart.
In Exodus 9:4, the word “distinction” also means that God’s favor is upon the people of Israel and He identifies with them. Do you want to know something incredible this morning? Jesus, our prophet, priest, and king, the great Savior of your soul, is not ashamed to call you His brother or sister.
11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers,
If we have union with Christ, He is not ashamed to say that He is your elder brother. Christ Jesus has brotherly affection for you. Why? You’ve been set apart, separated from the world by His purifying and sanctifying blood.
Finally, Yahweh tells Pharaoh when this plague shall come to pass - tomorrow. This may seem like a note in passing, but let’s understand something - Yahweh gives Pharaoh time to let the people of Israel go. Pharaoh must decide to continue holding the people hostage, or release them so they can worship Yahweh. In do this, Yahweh gives mercy and grace to Pharaoh. Do you what is here? God’s kindness or goodness at work. He could immediately instituted this plague as soon as Moses walked away from Pharaoh, but He gives Pharaoh time to repent and to set the people of Israel free.
In Genesis 3, God could have immediately killed Adam and Eve when they rebelled in the Garden of Eden. He would have been just to kill them both the moment the fruit touched their tongues. He would have been justified if He would have struck them down the moment sinful rebellion entered their hearts. Yet in God’s kindness, He removes them from Eden before they eat of the Tree of Life. In God’s kindness, He kills an animal and makes clothes for Adam and Eve.
For those of us in Christ, we also know this sweet kindness. We have experienced Romans 2:4, God’s kindness is meant to lead us to repentance. Have you ever reflected on this truth? When you look back upon your life, you see the wicked ways you were in outright rebellion against the Lord. No desire to know Him. No desire to stop sinning. No care about committing high treason against a holy God. However, even then the kindness of God was leading you to repentance. I remember the almost 2 decades of my life lived in outright rebellion. Yet in the providential kindness of God, He led me to see the wickedness of my sin, the gospel of God, and the glory of Christ.
If you sit here today and you have not repented of sin, let me implore you to come to know the riches of Christ. If you still have breathe in your lungs, but do not know Christ, know that it is by the kindness of God that He has not ushered you into eternity yet. Every sin is worthy of death, but His kindness is seen because you are still living. Do not forsake the kindness of God that is calling you to repentance. Do not take for granted God’s kindness in your life. Do not take advantage of the kindness of God as He calls you to repent of your sin.
We are approaching the lenten season where we have an emphasis on reflection, spiritual renewal, and repentance. Don’t be like Pharaoh who continually ignored God calling him to repent. Instead, humble yourself and call out to Christ to save you. Don’t be like Pharaoh who never repented and faced destruction. Repent and find the love of God that will be poured into your heart through the Holy Spirit.
Exodus 9:6-7 - Pharaoh’s Investigation and Hardened Heart
Exodus 9:6-7 - Pharaoh’s Investigation and Hardened Heart
6 And the next day the Lord did this thing. All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one of the livestock of the people of Israel died. 7 And Pharaoh sent, and behold, not one of the livestock of Israel was dead. But the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.
These verses further show the hardness of Pharaoh’s own heart. Clearly an unwillingness to bow to Yahweh. As a result, he and his entire country suffered catastrophe. As verse 6 states, all the livestock of the Egyptians died. The wording for “all” most likely means many or a majority. We will see in a later plague that Egyptian beasts were subject to boils. A great majority of livestock were certainly killed.
Look at the last portion of verse 6 with me, “Not one of the livestock of the people of Israel died.” When I read this I asked myself, “Were the people of Israel deserving of this gracious gift? Were they worthy for God to pass over their livestock in this plague?” Why do I think this? We talked about this a few weeks ago.
15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Why don’t I believe they were worthy of this great gift? The people of Israel worshipped Egyptian deities when they were in Egypt! They were idolatrous. Why did their livestock not die? It had nothing to do with them. Their livestock did not die because of God’s great mercy towards His covenant people. What is God’s mercy? God’s mercy shows that He is not insensitive to our weaknesses, but instead extends His lovingkindness to His people. Was God aware that these people were idolatrous? Of course, He was aware! Yet, He in mercy, extended his steadfast love to them, knowing their hearts were prone to wander from him.
In Matthew, Jesus displays mercy to two blind men.
And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.” But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.
Jesus, heals the two blind men after they cry out for him to have mercy on them. God’s mercy fills the pages of the Scripture. Yet, there is no greater place where God’s mercy is seen than in the cross of Christ. The Cross of Jesus is the supreme display of God’s mercy. Can’t you see the mercy of God in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ? And can’t you see that this mercy rushes from the throne of heaven, and comes flowing upon your heart like a river absolutely overwhelming you? God’s mercy is not limited to the Old Testament and the New Testament. As the Puritan Richard Sibbes once said,
Everything that comes from God to his children, it is a mercy. It is as it were dipped in mercy before it comes to us.
How vast the ocean of God’s mercy towards His children who are found in Christ. When the first beams of sunlight creep over the horizon our first thoughts should be upon the mercies of God. The prophet Jeremiah wrote these words in Lamentations as he vividly recalled Babylon destroying Jerusalem:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Goodness the mercy of God towards us is so great.
The fifth plague ends with Pharaoh sending an investigative team to Goshen to see if their livestock had been spared. Sure enough, the Israelite livestock had been spared. Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened and he is still unwilling to let the people of Israel go.
Conclusion
Conclusion
The glory of God shines bright in these verses. The two great themes of redemption and judgment are clearly seen. The judgment of God will be poured out upon Pharaoh and the Egyptians while the covenant people of God are given redemption.
As Christians, we also have been given redemption. There is a distinction between us and the unbeliever. Upon our salvation, we were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. As Paul writes in Ephesians 1:13-14:
13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
