How does Exodus 9:31 illustrate God's control over nature and human affairs? Setting the Scene Exodus 9:31—“Now the flax and the barley were destroyed, since the barley was ripe and the flax was in bloom.” God’s Timing in Full View • The hail struck exactly when two particular crops had reached a vulnerable stage. • Wheat and spelt, which matured later (v.32), were spared. • This precision highlights a deliberate, not random, act—underscoring the Lord’s mastery over seasonal cycles and agricultural stages (cf. Psalm 104:14). Precision Over Nature • Weather is often seen as unpredictable, yet here the storm obeys divine command (Job 37:10-13). • The scope, strength, and target of the hail were calibrated by God, illustrating Psalm 135:6: “The LORD does whatever pleases Him in the heavens and on the earth…”. • Even the timing of plant growth fell under His sovereign oversight; nothing happened by chance. Instruction for Pharaoh and Egypt • Economic impact: flax (for linen) and barley (for food & drink) were vital to Egypt’s economy. • Political impact: the devastation pressured Pharaoh, showing that resistance to God’s word brings tangible consequences (Exodus 9:14-16). • Spiritual impact: each plague dismantled an aspect of Egypt’s trust in false deities; the storm revealed that Egypt’s sky-gods were powerless before Yahweh (Exodus 12:12). Encouragement for Believers Today • God still governs the smallest details—plant cycles, weather patterns, and human decisions (Proverbs 19:21). • The same precision that spared later-ripening crops assures us He can tailor circumstances for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28). • Even in apparent chaos, His purposes stand firm; “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.” (Matthew 10:29). Exodus 9:31 therefore serves as a vivid snapshot of the Lord’s comprehensive control—directing nature with exact timing and steering human affairs toward His redemptive plan. |
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