The Plagues of Dead Animals And Boils

Exodus 9:1–12
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Again Moses was God’s spokesman to Pharaoh and he said, “Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me (v. 1).” He warns the King that if he keeps refusing He will bring a terrible disease to his horses, donkeys, camels, cattle, sheep and goats (vv. 2-3). At the same time He will protect the people of Israel and none of theirs will die (v. 4). He says this will happen tomorrow (v. 5).

The next day it happened just as the Lord said it would (v. 6). This fifth plague of disease meant death to the cattle which was sacred to the Egyptians; Also death came to their other domesticated  animals: horses, donkeys, camels, and goats. What an economic disaster this was for the Egyptians and what a horrible odor through the land. Pharaoh sent his servants to the land of Goshen to see what was happening there. Not one of their cattle died. Even though Pharaoh could  see God taking care of the Israelites his heart was hard and he would not let the Israelites go (v. 7).

One day the Lord told Moses and Aaron to take handfuls of ashes from a furnace and threw the ashes in the air before Pharaoh (v. 8). From these particles the sixth plague of boils will break out in sores on the people and animals (v. 9). Moses threw ashes into the air and immediately sores broke out on the Egyptians and their animals (v. 10). Even the magicians couldn’t stand up to try their magic, because they were so sick with the boils (v. 11). Still Pharaoh’s heart was hardened (v. 12).

Application

Sometimes God may have to get my attention through physical things. Through these circumstances it is important that my heart never becomes hardened but is molded to His will.