How does the hail in Exodus 9:18 foreshadow God's judgment in Revelation? Setting the scene “Behold, at this time tomorrow I will rain down the worst hail that has ever fallen on Egypt, from the day it was founded until now.” (Exodus 9:18) Key facts from Exodus 9 • Literal, unprecedented hailstorm—ice, fire, thunder (vv. 23-24) • Directly announced by God through Moses (v. 18) • Aimed at exposing Egypt’s idols and hardening Pharaoh’s heart (vv. 14, 27) • Opportunity for repentance: those who feared the word sheltered their servants and livestock (v. 20) • Clear distinction between God’s people and Egypt (v. 26) Foreshadowing threads that run into Revelation 1. Divine origin • Exodus: “I will rain down…” (9:18) • Revelation: judgments “were hurled to the earth” from heaven (8:7; 16:21) 2. Hail combined with fire • Exodus 9:24—“hail, and fire flashing continually” • Revelation 8:7—“hail and fire mixed with blood” 3. Severity escalates • Exodus: worst in Egypt’s history • Revelation 16:21—“Huge hailstones, each weighing about a talent, fell from heaven on people.” The judgment in Revelation surpasses anything previously experienced, echoing and amplifying the Exodus plague. 4. Purpose—judgment that calls for repentance • Exodus: Pharaoh repeatedly hardened his heart (9:34-35) • Revelation: “They cursed God because of the plague of hail, since it was so severe.” (16:21) Humanity’s reaction mirrors Pharaoh’s obstinacy. 5. Protection for the faithful • Exodus: Goshen spared (9:26) • Revelation 7:3-4; 9:4—God seals His servants before the trumpet and bowl judgments begin, marking them for preservation. Why the Exodus hail matters for believers today • It shows God’s consistency: He judges sin yet offers mercy first. • It validates prophecy: the literal plague in Exodus undergirds the literal, future hail of Revelation. • It warns of escalating judgments: what happened locally in Egypt prefigures a global scale in the end times. • It assures God’s covenant people of protection amidst judgment. Living response • Stand in awe of God’s sovereign power displayed from Egypt to the end of the age. • Trust Scripture’s accuracy: past fulfillment guarantees future prophecy. • Live repentantly and obediently, remembering that refusing God’s warnings leads to hardened hearts and heavier judgments. |
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