Exodus 9:1-12
The LORD Makes a Distinction
Read the passage
1Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and tell him that this is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may worship Me.
2But if you continue to restrain them and refuse to let them go,
3then the hand of the LORD will bring a severe plague on your livestock in the field—on your horses, donkeys, camels, herds, and flocks.
4But the LORD will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that no animal belonging to the Israelites will die.’”
5The LORD set a time, saying, “Tomorrow the LORD will do this in the land.”
6And the next day the LORD did just that. All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one animal belonging to the Israelites died.
7Pharaoh sent officials and found that none of the livestock of the Israelites had died. But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not let the people go.
8Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Take handfuls of soot from the furnace; in the sight of Pharaoh, Moses is to toss it into the air.
9It will become fine dust over all the land of Egypt, and festering boils will break out on man and beast throughout the land.”
10So they took soot from the furnace and stood before Pharaoh. Moses tossed it into the air, and festering boils broke out on man and beast.
11The magicians could not stand before Moses, because the boils had broken out on them and on all the Egyptians.
12But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said to Moses.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
The LORD tells Moses to go to Pharaoh and say that the God of the Hebrews commands him to let his people go so that they may serve him. If Pharaoh refuses, the hand of the LORD will strike the livestock in the field with a severe plague.
The LORD will make a distinction between Egypt's livestock and Israel's. Not one animal belonging to the Israelites will die. The LORD sets a time for the plague and does exactly what he said: the livestock of the Egyptians die, but not one animal belonging to Israel dies.
Pharaoh sends word and discovers that not even one of Israel's animals has died. Yet his heart remains hard, and he will not let the people go.
The LORD then tells Moses and Aaron to take handfuls of soot from a furnace. Moses is to toss it into the air before Pharaoh. He does so, and festering boils break out on people and animals throughout Egypt.
The magicians cannot stand before Moses because of the boils, and the LORD hardens Pharaoh's heart so that he will not listen. Even the magicians who stood against Moses are now unable to stand before him. The LORD rules both the protection of Israel and the judgment of Egypt. Pharaoh's continued refusal will not place him beyond God's reach.
Questions
1 What does God announce about the livestock plague?
AnswerIt will strike Egypt's livestock in the field the next day, but no animal belonging to Israel will die. God names both the time and the distinction.
2 What does Pharaoh learn from his investigation?
AnswerNone of Israel's livestock has died. He confirms that God's word was fulfilled but still refuses to release the people.
3 What happens when Moses throws soot into the air?
AnswerFestering boils break out on people and animals. The magicians are so afflicted that they cannot stand before Moses.
4 What does the final verse say about Pharaoh's heart?
AnswerThe LORD hardens it, and Pharaoh will not listen, just as God had said. The resistance remains under God's sovereign rule and judgment.
What This Means for Us
Pharaoh investigates and learns that God has done exactly what He said. Yet he will not yield. Checking the facts is useful only if we are willing to respond to what we find. Ask God for honesty about a truth you have acknowledged but kept at a distance from your choices.
These plagues have a stated purpose in God's judgment on Egypt. They do not authorize us to identify every illness as punishment or every spared household as morally superior. When someone is sick or suffering loss, offer care instead of an explanation God has not given you. Receiving mercy should make us grateful and compassionate.
Prayer
God of justice and mercy, protect those who are vulnerable and soften hearts that resist truth. Keep us from careless judgments about suffering, and make our response to what we know obedient and compassionate. Amen.
Your reading
Keep your place.
Save this passage to your private reading history.
Sign in to save your reading