How does Psalm 78:48 connect to God's judgment in Exodus? Psalm 78:48—A Snapshot of Divine Judgment “He abandoned their cattle to hail and their livestock to bolts of lightning.” (Psalm 78:48) In one terse verse Asaph recalls a specific moment in Egypt when God’s wrath struck what the Egyptians valued for survival and wealth. The livestock—symbols of economic strength—were placed squarely in the path of heaven-sent catastrophe. Looking Back to the Plagues of Egypt Psalm 78:48 summarizes two linked plagues recorded in Exodus 9: 1. Fifth Plague—Deadly Pestilence (Exodus 9:1-7) • “All the livestock of Egypt died…” (v. 6) • God targeted animals that represented fertility, food, and false deities such as Apis, the bull-god. 2. Seventh Plague—Hail and Fire (Exodus 9:22-26) • “The LORD said to Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand… so that hail may fall on all the land of Egypt, on man and beast…’” (v. 22) • “The hail struck down everything in the field—both man and beast…” (v. 25) Psalm 78:48 merges these events: disease first thins the herds; hail and “bolts of lightning” (literally “flames”) finish what remains. Purpose Behind the Hail and Lightning • Judgment on Idolatry – Egyptians worshiped cattle; God showed absolute supremacy (Exodus 12:12). • Exposure of Hard Hearts – Pharaoh was warned to bring any remaining animals indoors (Exodus 9:19). Those who “feared the word of the LORD” acted; others ignored and lost everything (Exodus 9:20-21). • Revelation of God’s Power to Later Generations – “So that you may know that there is none like Me in all the earth” (Exodus 9:14). – Asaph retells it so Israel will “set their hope in God, and not forget” (Psalm 78:7). Lessons for Every Generation • God’s Word Stands—What He promises, He performs (Numbers 23:19). • Sin Has Consequences—Rebellion invites judgment; repentance invites mercy (Proverbs 28:13). • Remember and Teach—Psalm 78 uses historical memory to anchor faith; parents are to pass it on (Deuteronomy 4:9). • A Future Echo—Revelation 8:7 foretells hail mixed with fire striking the earth again, reminding us that the God who judged Egypt will judge a rebellious world once more. Psalm 78:48 is therefore more than a historical footnote; it is a living reminder that the same holy God who shattered Egypt’s pride still rules, warns, and delivers today. |
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