then the hand of the LORD will bring a severe plague on your livestock in the field--on your horses, donkeys, camels, herds, and flocks. Sermons I. THE ALTERNATIVE AGAIN (vers. 1, 2). Surely Pharaoh was well warned. The analogy of the third plague would have led us to expect that on this occasion - after a second and glaring breach of faith - there would have been no warning. Yet mercy waits upon him. Faithless though he had been, if even yet he will let the people go, all will be forgiven. If not - then judgments. Mark how sacredly, in all this, the freedom of Pharaoh is respected. "He was not put on the actual rack or held over a slow fire till his cruel hand relaxed, and let the Hebrew bondmen go. The appeal was loud, and each time it was repeated he and his people were shaken more severely than before; but after every demand there was a respite, a pause, an opportunity to ponder, and either yield the point or recall a past concession." (Hamilton.) II. A MURRAIN OF CATTLE (vers. 3-7). This was the form assumed by the fifth plague. It is to be viewed, 1. As a new blow at Egyptian idolatry. The sacredness of the cow and ox are hinted at in Exodus 8:26. It may well have been that the sacred beasts themselves, the bull Apis, the calf Mnevis, and the rest, were smitten by the pestilence. 2. As a fresh illustration of the manifold resources of Jehovah. The mortality which came upon the cattle was universal in its sweep, carrying off, not only sheep and oxen, but horses, asses, and camels; destructive in its effects, the greater proportion of the cattle of each class falling victims to it; yet carefully discriminative, attacking the cattle of the Egyptians, but leaving unharmed those of the Israelites (ver. 6). 3. As a plague of increased severity. The loss sustained by the Egyptians in this mowing down of their cattle was the greatest they had yet experienced. Cattle constitute a large part of the wealth of every nation. They are of importance for food, for burden, and for the produce of the dairy. What a loss it would be to our own nation were our sheep, cows, oxen, horses, and asses, all suddenly destroyed! In the East the oxen were employed for draught, and in the operations of agriculture. Yet the plague was but the intensification of a natural calamity - one with the effects of which we are not wholly unfamiliar. It may seem "advanced to scoff at the agency of God in cattle-plague visitations, but the truer philosophy will reverently recognise the fact of such agency, and will not regard it as in the least incompatible with any secondary causes which may be shown to be involved in the production and spread of the disorder. God has this weapon equally with others at his command for chastening a disobedient people. Our wisdom, surely, is to be at peace with him. 4. As a forewarning of greater judgment. As yet the persons of the Egyptians had escaped. The plagues, however, were coming nearer and nearer them. Their cattle had been smitten, and what could the next stroke be, but an infliction upon themselves? III. THIS PLAGUE ALSO INEFFECTUAL (ver. 7). Pharaoh sent to see if any of the cattle of the children of Israel had died. The connection seems to indicate that his hardening was partly the result of the news that they had all escaped. This, instead of softening, maddened and embittered him. Hitherto Pharaoh has been seen hardening himself in spite of the influences brought to bear on him. The fact is to be noted that the plagues here begin to produce a positively evil effect. That which ought to have softened and converted, now only enrages, and confirms in the bad resolution. - J.O.
I know that ye will not yet fear the Lord God. 1. Gracious souls are willing to yield to vilest persecutors to help them though they deceive them.2. Time and place convenient, God's servants take to answer the desires of the wicked. 3. Heart and hand do God's saints lay out in prayer to God for their enemies. 4. Under God's revelation his ministers may assure the wicked of His mercies. 5. Such discoveries are made to wicked men that they might acknowledge His propriety and sovereignty over all (ver. 29). 6. Though God's servants know how the wicked will afterward behave themselves, yet they may pray for them. 7. God doth foretell by His servants sometimes the incorrigibility of the wicked under judgment and mercy. 8. Wicked men may tremble under vengeance, but never fear the Lord God when it is removed (ver. 30). (G. Hughes, B. D.) II. THAT THE TRUE MINISTER WILL PRAY FOR THE MOST OBSTINATE SINNER IN THE HOUR OF DISTRESS. "As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the Lord." 1. The prayer will be offered in private. "Out of the city." Solitude is favourable to prayer. The minister should seek solitude. It is well for him to go outside of the city to meditate and to pray about obstinate men. 2. It will be offered with earnestness. "I will spread abroad my hands unto the Lord." The ministers of God should employ their hands and hearts in prayer to heaven for the souls of wicked men. III. THAT THE TRUE MINISTER MAY ASSURE THE MOST OBSTINATE SINNER OF THE MERCY OF GOD TOWARD HIM. A contrite heart shall not hear the thunder of retributive judgment. IV. THAT THE TRUE MINISTER MUST ASSERT THE UNBENDING SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD TO THE MOST OBSTINATE SINNER. V. THAT THE TRUE MINISTER WILL DEAL FAITHFULLY WITH THE MOST OBSTINATE SINNER WHO MAT MANIFEST TOKENS OF REPENTANCE. Lessons: 1. That ministers are often perplexed as to the best method of conduct toward obstinate sinners. 2. They must pray for them. 3. They must be faithful to them. (J. S. Exell, M. A.) 2. Then participate in its bounty. 3. Then tread it reverently. 4. Then use it generously. (J. S. Exell, M. A.) 1. Because your mind is dark.2. Because your heart is hard. 3. Because your conscience is seared. 4. Because your will is rebellious. 5. Because your sin is a pleasure. (J. S. Exell, M. A.) People Aaron, Egyptians, Israelites, Moses, PharaohPlaces Egypt, GoshenTopics Asses, Behold, Camels, Cattle, Disease, Donkeys, Evil, Fall, Field, Flock, Flocks, Goats, Grievous, Herd, Herds, Horses, Livestock, Murrain, Oxen, Pestilence, Plague, Severe, Sheep, TerribleOutline 1. The plague on livestock8. The plague of boils 13. The message of Moses about the hail, 22. The plague of hail 27. Pharaoh pleads with Moses, but yet is hardened Dictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 9:3Library Confession of Sin --A Sermon with Seven TextsThe Hardened Sinner. PHARAOH--"I have sinned."--Exodus 9:27. I. The first case I shall bring before you is that of the HARDENED SINNER, who, when under terror, says, "I have sinned." And you will find the text in the book of Exodus, the 9th chap. and 27th verse: "And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the Lord is righteous, and I and my people are wicked." But why this confession from the lips of the haughty tyrant? He was not often wont to … Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857 The God of the Old Testament is the God of the New The Plagues of Egypt Sign Seekers, and the Enthusiast Reproved. The Hardening in the Sacred Scripture. The Sovereignty of God in Reprobation Man's Misery by the Fall Opposition to Messiah Ruinous Exposition of Chap. Iii. (ii. 28-32. ) Exodus Links Exodus 9:3 NIVExodus 9:3 NLT Exodus 9:3 ESV Exodus 9:3 NASB Exodus 9:3 KJV Exodus 9:3 Bible Apps Exodus 9:3 Parallel Exodus 9:3 Biblia Paralela Exodus 9:3 Chinese Bible Exodus 9:3 French Bible Exodus 9:3 German Bible Exodus 9:3 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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