How does Exodus 9:22 demonstrate God's power over nature and creation? The Verse in Focus “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand toward heaven, so that hail may fall on all the land of Egypt—on man and beast and every plant of the field throughout the land of Egypt.’” (Exodus 9:22) Setting the Scene • The seventh plague falls after repeated refusals by Pharaoh. • Egypt’s sky is normally clear; hail of this magnitude is unknown there. • Goshen, where Israel lives, will be spared (v. 26), heightening the miracle. God’s Sovereign Command over the Elements • “Stretch out your hand” shows that a simple human gesture, under divine authority, moves the atmosphere. • Weather operates not by chance but by the direct word of the Creator (Job 37:6; Psalm 135:6-7). • The hail targets “man and beast and every plant,” proving control over all spheres of life, from human society to livestock to agriculture. Supernatural Precision • Timing: The moment Moses obeys, the storm begins (v. 23). • Geography: Destruction stops at Israel’s border, displaying pinpoint accuracy. • Intensity: Fire flashes within the hail (v. 24), combining two normally opposite elements—ice and fire—underscoring that natural laws bend to God’s will. Supremacy over False Gods • Egypt worshiped sky-gods like Nut and weather-gods like Shu. • By commanding hail, the LORD exposes these deities as powerless (Exodus 12:12). • Creation is not divine; it is subject to the One who spoke it into being (Genesis 1:1). Creation Listens to Its Maker • The natural world recognizes its Master’s voice; humanity should as well (Psalm 29:3-10). • Later, Jesus rebukes wind and waves with the same effortless authority (Mark 4:39), revealing continuity between Old and New Testament revelation of God’s power. Implications for Believers Today • Confidence: The God who governs hail governs every circumstance of life. • Awe: The created order is a daily reminder of His unmatched authority. • Obedience: If hail responds instantly, how much more should people created in His image heed His commands? |
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