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Commentary on Exodus 9 verses 1–7
Here is, I. Warning given of another plague, namely, the murrain of beasts. When Pharaoh's heart was hardened, after he had seemed to relent under the former plague, then Moses is sent to tell him there is another coming, to try what that would do towards reviving the impressions of the former plagues. Thus is the wrath of God revealed from heaven, both in his word and in his works, against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. 1. Moses puts Pharaoh in a very fair way to prevent it: Let my people go, Exo 9:1. This was still the demand. God will have Israel released; Pharaoh opposes it, and the trial is, whose word shall stand. See how jealous God is for his people. When the year of his redeemed has come, he will give Egypt for their ransom; that kingdom shall be ruined, rather than Israel shall not be delivered. See how reasonable God's demands are. Whatever he calls for, it is but his own: They are my people, therefore let them go. 2. He describes the plague that should come, if he refused, Exo 9:2, Exo 9:3. The hand of the Lord immediately, without the stretching out of Aaron's hand, is upon the cattle, many of which, some of all kinds, should die by a sort of pestilence. This was greatly to the loss of the owners: they had made Israel poor, and now God would make them poor. Note, The hand of God is to be acknowledged even in the sickness and death of cattle, or other damage sustained in them; for a sparrow falls not to the ground without our Father. 3. As an evidence of the special hand of God in it, and of his particular favour to his own people, he foretels that none of their cattle should die, though they breathed in the same air and drank of the same water with the Egyptians' cattle: The Lord shall sever, Exo 9:4. Note, When God's judgments are abroad, though they may fall both on the righteous and the wicked, yet God makes such a distinction that they are not the same to the one that they are to the other. See Isa 27:7. The providence of God is to be acknowledged with thankfulness in the life of the cattle, for he preserveth man and beast, Psa 36:6. 4. To make the warning the more remarkable, the time is fixed (Exo 9:5): Tomorrow it shall be done. We know not what any day will bring forth, and therefore we cannot say what we will do tomorrow, but it is not so with God.
II. The plague itself inflicted. The cattle died, Exo 9:6. Note, The creature is made subject to vanity by the sin of man, being liable, according to its capacity, both to serve his wickedness and to share in his punishment, as in the universal deluge. Rom 8:20, Rom 8:22. Pharaoh and the Egyptians sinned; but the sheep, what had they done? Yet they are plagued. See Jer 12:4, For the wickedness of the land, the beasts are consumed. The Egyptians afterwards, and (some think) now, worshipped their cattle; it was among them that the Israelites learned to make a god of a calf: in this therefore the plague here spoken of meets with them. Note, What we make an idol of it is just with God to remove from us, or embitter to us. See Isa 19:1.
III. The distinction put between the cattle of the Egyptians and the Israelites' cattle, according to the word of God: Not one of the cattle of the Israelites died, Exo 9:6, Exo 9:7. Does God take care of oxen? Yes, he does; his providence extends itself to the meanest of his creatures. But it is written also for our sakes, that, trusting in God, and making him our refuge, we may not be afraid of the pestilence that walketh in darkness, no, not though thousands fall at our side, Psa 91:6, Psa 91:7. Pharaoh sent to see if the cattle of the Israelites were infected, not to satisfy his conscience, but only to gratify his curiosity, or with design, by way of reprisal, to repair his own losses out of their stocks; and, having no good design in the enquiry, the report brought to him made no impression upon him, but, on the contrary, his heart was hardened. Note, To those that are wilfully blind, even those methods of conviction which are ordained to life prove a savour of death unto death.
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SUMMARY
Exodus 9:5 announces the fifth plague upon Egypt—a devastating pestilence on livestock—by emphasizing the LORD's absolute control, precise timing, and deliberate intent. This divine declaration of "To morrow" underscores the immediate certainty of God's impending judgment, serving as a direct challenge to Pharaoh's continued defiance and a powerful demonstration of divine sovereignty over all creation, explicitly distinguishing between Israel and Egypt.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Exodus 9:5 employs several potent literary devices. Divine Speech or Direct Discourse is central, as the verse records the LORD's exact words, lending authority and immediacy to the declaration. This direct address underscores God's active involvement and intentionality in the unfolding events. The Repetition of "the LORD" (YHWH) at the beginning and end of the divine declaration ("And the LORD appointed... the LORD shall do") acts as an emphatic inclusio, powerfully reinforcing that YHWH alone is the author and executor of this judgment, leaving no doubt about the source of the impending calamity. Furthermore, the precise temporal marker "To morrow" functions as Foreshadowing, building dramatic tension and guaranteeing the imminent fulfillment of the prophecy, which is immediately realized in Exodus 9:6. This precision also creates a stark Contrast between the ordered, predictable, and certain action of the sovereign God and the chaotic, unpredictable, and ultimately futile resistance of Pharaoh and his gods.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 9:5 profoundly illustrates God's absolute sovereignty and the unwavering reliability of His word. The LORD's ability to "appoint a set time" and declare "To morrow" with such certainty demonstrates His complete control over all creation, time, and human affairs. This is not a God who reacts haphazardly, but one who meticulously plans and executes His purposes with divine precision. This divine precision serves as both a warning to the defiant and an assurance to His people, revealing a God who is faithful to His promises and just in His judgments.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 9:5 serves as a profound reminder that God is eternally in control, operating with perfect timing and unwavering purpose. In a world often characterized by chaos, uncertainty, and human striving, this verse calls believers to a deeper trust in the divine agenda. Just as the LORD precisely appointed the time for the plague, so too does He orchestrate every detail of our lives and the unfolding of history. This should inspire us to take God's promises and warnings with utmost seriousness, knowing that what He declares, He will unfailingly accomplish. It invites us to rest in His sovereignty, finding peace in the knowledge that His plans are perfect, even when we cannot discern them. Our response to such a God should be one of humble obedience, confident expectation, and patient endurance, trusting that He will "do this thing" in His own perfect time and way, always for His glory and our ultimate good.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did God specify "To morrow" for the plague?
Answer: God specified "To morrow" (Hebrew: mâchâr) for several crucial reasons. Firstly, it emphasized the absolute certainty and immediacy of His judgment, leaving no doubt about its divine origin and distinguishing it from natural occurrences or human actions. Secondly, it served as a final, clear warning to Pharaoh and the Egyptians, giving them a brief, undeniable window to acknowledge the LORD's power and reconsider their stance. This precision underscored that the plague was not random but a deliberate act of the sovereign God, demonstrating His control over time and events, as seen in the immediate fulfillment in Exodus 9:6.
What does "appointed a set time" signify about God's character?
Answer: The phrase "appointed a set time" (Hebrew: sûwm môwʻêd) signifies God's meticulous planning, absolute sovereignty, and perfect timing. It reveals that His actions are not reactive, impulsive, or arbitrary, but are part of a deliberate, pre-ordained plan, executed with divine precision. This highlights His reliability, faithfulness, and ultimate control over all events and the course of history. It demonstrates that God is purposeful in His judgments and faithful in His declarations, always acting according to His wise and sovereign will.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The precise and certain timing of God's judgment in Exodus 9:5 profoundly foreshadows the perfect timing of God's ultimate plan of salvation and judgment in Jesus Christ. Just as God "appointed a set time" for the plagues to demonstrate His power and gather glory, so too did He appoint the "fullness of the time" for Christ's incarnation, His atoning death on the cross, and His glorious resurrection, all according to His sovereign will (Galatians 4:4). The absolute certainty of God's word in this verse, where "tomorrow" brings the promised action, points to the absolute certainty of all God's promises fulfilled in Christ—His first coming as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), His victory over sin and death, and His future return to judge the living and the dead at a time known only to the Father (Acts 1:7). Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of God's righteous judgment against sin and His merciful provision for humanity, executed with divine precision and perfect timing throughout redemptive history.