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Bible Study Online ArticleLocated at the Bottom of Page In the last article we learned that the Lord had unleashed a "hail plague" like no other upon the Egyptian kingdom: "So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, so very heavy that there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation." - Exodus 9:24
This hail storm was so powerful and destructive, that it caused Pharaoh to quickly reach out to Moses and Aaron for relief: "And Pharaoh sent and called for Moses and Aaron, and said to them... 'I have sinned this time. The Lord is righteous, and my people and I are wicked. "Entreat the Lord, that there may be no more mighty thundering and hail, for it is enough. I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer.'" - Exodus 9:27,28 Keep in mind that this would be the first time that Pharaoh had actually admitted to sinning. And of course with Moses and Aaron being the men that they were, they would give Pharaoh a chance to keep his word. They would do this, even though they knew, that the Egyptian ruler was probably lying again: "So Moses said to him, 'As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands to the Lord; the thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, that you may know that the earth is the Lord's. But as for you and your servants, I know that you will not yet fear the Lord God." - Exodus 9:29,30 However, we also learned that the Sacred Record pointed out, that this hail storm had struck more than the men and livestock that were left in the fields. For the Scriptures tells us that the grain that were in the fields had also been destroyed as well. But know that the storm would only ruin the flax and the barley at this point in time. And fortunately for the Egyptians the wheat and spelt crops hadn't come in yet: "Now the flax and the barley were struck, for the barley was in the head and the flax was in bud. But the wheat and the spelt were not struck, for they are late crops." - Exodus 9:31,32 Now personally, I find this little bit of information to be very insightful, when it comes to the Sacred Record making a distinction between the different types of grains that were being targeted by God. For we find that both the flax and the barley were mainly used for animal feed, but when it came to the flax - it could also be used for industrial means - such as linens. Also know that the wheat and spelt were the Egyptians most valuable food supply resource. And eventually both grains would become main trading commodities for the Egyptians export industry as well. I would also like to point out that when it came to the grain that was being hit, we find God debilitating the very grain resources that had placed the Egyptians in the powerful position that they were now enjoying. For we must not forget when God had used His faithful servant to help prepare the Egyptians for the "seven year famine" that was about to be unleashed upon the land, back during the days of Joseph: "And let them gather all the food of those good years that are coming, and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land may not perish during the famine." - Genesis 41:35,36 For it was the Holy One of Israel that had provided the Egyptians with the method of how to stock and manage their grain supply, which in turn, had given them a huge advantage, both during and after the "seven year famine" had ravage the land back during the days of Joseph: "The famine was over all the face of the earth, and Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians. And the famine became severe in the land of Egypt. So all countries came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all lands." - Genesis 41:56,57 Know that the Egyptians had flourished when they'd listened to the Word of God that had been spoken through His servant Joseph. They owed everything to the Most High God. But a new generation arose and they didn't know the Holy One of Israel, and they did not care to know: "Now there arose a new king [Pharaoh] over Egypt, who did not know Joseph [or his God]. And he said to his people, 'Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we; come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and it happen, in the event of war, that they also join our enemies and fight against us, and so go up out of the land.'" - Exodus 1:8-10 Like I've mentioned before, this would be the start of Egypt's eighteenth family dynasty, a new era for the Egyptian kingdom, a "New Kingdom." They needed not the Lord - for they had all that they needed, for they listened to their politicians, philosophers, educators, scientists, and to their pagan priests. They ignored and mocked the Almighty and His people, and because of this, we now find God challenging the Egyptians when it came to their worldly philosophy and creed. Yes Egypt! Go ahead and call forth your false deities of this world, and put in practice the ideologies and beliefs of your wisest men. See if what they'd taught you - can replace what I'm about to take from you. I'll tell you this; the Sacred Record is a stark warning to the "rebellious souls" of today - those who have made up their minds to oppose the Lord Jesus Christ. For they have made allegiance with the "jackals of the world" and have decided to follow their worldly ideologies and scientific theories instead of following the Word of God. For they rather chase fame and fortune, obtain power, reputation and position of influence. They rather play by their own rules, while believing that they can make their own way. For these "rebellious souls" foolishly believe (as a collective) that they will, in the end - be able to save themselves. However, let's continue forth... After Moses had given his word to Pharaoh, we now find God's servant interceding on Pharaoh's behalf just like he had promised: "So Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh and spread out his hands to the Lord; then the thunder and the hail ceased, and the rain was not poured on the earth." - Exodus 9:33 And of course, like always, we find that once Pharaoh had gained relief from the current plague that the Lord was unleashing upon his kingdom, he would once again reneged on his word: "And when Pharaoh saw that the rain, the hail, and the thunder had ceased, he sinned yet more; and he hardened his heart, he and his servants. So the heart of Pharaoh was hard; neither would he let the children of Israel go, as the Lord had spoken by Moses." - Exodus 9:34,35 Now notice that this time around, not only was it Pharaoh's heart that was hardened, we also learn that the Egyptians who'd remained loyal to him and his royal advisors, their hearts were harden as well. So instead of them wising up by doing what the God of Israel had told them to do, we find them "doubling down" when it came to opposing the Almighty God. And so it shall be, for we'll soon discover what plague the Lord will unleash upon the Egyptian kingdom next. Also remember that I'd pointed out in the previous article that the "hail plague" was in a way, a precursor to the plague that was to come next. I'll touch on this a little bit more in the next article.
Moses & the Swarm of Flies Plague **YOUR CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES WOULD BE HERE**
173) How Far Are You Willing to Go 175) Although Exempted - They Still Endured 176) Moses You Can Go & Serve Your God - Only If... 177) God vs The Egyptian Bull Cults 178) A Hard Lesson for Pharaoh 179) God Brings Boils Upon Man & Beast 181) God Tells Pharaoh: You Owe Me Everything! 183) God vs Nut the Sky goddess 184) The Lord Giveth and Taketh 185) <-CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE PAGE-> 186) God Tells Moses - Keep A Record 188) Pharaoh's Moment of Intervention 
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