How does Exodus 9:9 demonstrate God's power over creation and human health? Verse in Focus “‘It will become fine dust over all the land of Egypt, and festering boils will break out on man and beast throughout the land of Egypt.’ ” (Exodus 9:9) Context of the Sixth Plague - After five devastating signs, Pharaoh still resisted God’s command to release Israel (Exodus 7–9). - God instructs Moses and Aaron to take soot from a kiln, toss it heavenward, and watch it spread like dust, igniting painful boils on Egyptians and their animals (Exodus 9:8–10). Power Over Inanimate Creation - The very particles of soot obey the Lord. He transforms ordinary kiln ash into “fine dust” that blankets Egypt. - Echoes of Genesis 1:1: the God who spoke matter into existence effortlessly re-orders existing matter for His purposes. - Psalm 135:6 affirms: “Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, in the heavens and on the earth…” — dust, wind, temperature, and viral agents move at His command. Power Over Human Health - The outbreak is immediate, universal, and uncontrollable by Egypt’s magicians (Exodus 9:11). - Deuteronomy 32:39: “There is no god besides Me… I wound and I heal.” God alone determines wellness or affliction. - Job 2:7–10 shows Satan needing permission to touch Job’s health; here, God Himself directly sovereignly acts, bypassing any spiritual intermediary. - Psalm 103:3 comforts: the same Lord who “heals all your diseases” can also permit disease for righteous judgment. Purpose Behind the Display 1. Judgment on Idolatry • Egyptian deities such as Imhotep (god of medicine) are humiliated; they cannot protect their worshipers. 2. Warning and Mercy • Each plague escalates, giving Pharaoh repeated chances to repent (Exodus 9:15). 3. Revelation of God’s Name • Exodus 9:14: “so that you may know there is no one like Me in all the earth.” The boils preach a sermon louder than words. Application for Today - Illness, microbes, and even dust remain under divine jurisdiction; nothing lies outside His authority (Matthew 8:8–13). - Because He rules both creation and health, believers can trust Him in sickness and in health, seeking healing while submitting to His higher purposes (James 5:14–16). - The passage invites reverent awe: the God who can inflict is also eager to forgive and restore through Christ, who touched lepers and banished boils of sin (Luke 5:12–13). |
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