Question 1

What does it mean that God raised up Pharaoh to show His power?

Accepted Answer

When God says He raised up Pharaoh, it means He allowed Pharaoh to come to power and remain in power so that His own power and name would be seen clearly through what happened to Egypt. God could have wiped Pharaoh out much earlier, but instead He used Pharaoh’s stubborn pride as a backdrop to show His control over kings, over nature, and over whole nations. This does not excuse Pharaoh’s sin. Pharaoh is still responsible for his hard heart, but God’s purpose moves forward even through that rebellion.

Question 2

Why did God send a hailstorm instead of some other judgment in this passage?

Accepted Answer

The hailstorm showed God’s rule over the weather in a very direct way. It came at a set time, was unlike anything Egypt had seen, and struck only those left in the open fields while sparing Goshen. God even warned Pharaoh ahead of time to bring people and animals inside. So this plague was both judgment and mercy. It destroyed crops, trees, and unprotected life, but it also gave a chance to listen, obey, and be spared by taking His warning seriously.

Question 3

Why did some of Pharaoh’s servants fear the word of the LORD and others ignore it?

Accepted Answer

When Moses warned about the coming hail, some of Pharaoh’s servants believed the warning enough to act. They brought their servants and cattle inside and were kept safe. Others ignored the word and left their people and animals in the field, and they died. This shows how people can hear the same message and respond in very different ways. It also shows that even in a time of judgment, God’s word gives a real way of escape to those who respond with humble fear and simple obedience.

Question 4

What does Pharaoh mean when he says, “I have sinned this time”?

Accepted Answer

When Pharaoh says, “I have sinned this time; the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked,” he is admitting that God is right to send the hail and that he has been wrong. But his words come from fear of the storm, not from a truly changed heart. As soon as the thunder, hail, and rain stop, he goes back to his old ways and hardens his heart again. This shows that a person can say the right things and still not truly turn to God in repentance.

Question 5

How does Moses act as an intercessor in this passage?

Accepted Answer

Moses acts as an intercessor when he agrees to pray for Pharaoh even after Pharaoh has been stubborn. Moses leaves the city, lifts up his hands to the LORD, and the thunder, hail, and rain stop. He is not just asking for himself but for the very king who keeps refusing to obey God. This shows a heart that cares about others, even enemies, and it also shows that God listens when His servant prays, bringing relief in response to that prayer.

Question 6

What does this passage teach about God’s judgment and mercy together?

Accepted Answer

In this passage, judgment and mercy are side by side. God sends a severe plague of hail that kills and destroys, showing that He takes sin and pride seriously. At the same time, He gives a clear warning, a set time, and a simple command to bring people and animals inside. Those who listen are spared. He also stops the storm when Moses prays. So God is not harsh for its own sake. He judges, but He also gives chances to turn, be protected, and see that He alone is God.

Question 7

Why did Pharaoh’s heart harden again after the hail stopped?

Accepted Answer

When the storm is raging, Pharaoh feels the weight of God’s power and begs for it to end. But once the danger is past and the rain, hail, and thunder cease, he quickly forgets his fear. He sins even more and hardens his heart, and his servants follow him. This shows how a heart that only fears punishment, without truly loving or fearing God, will often go right back to its old ways. Trouble alone cannot change the heart. Real change comes when a person truly bows to God.

Question 8

What is the significance of Goshen having no hail while the rest of Egypt was struck?

Accepted Answer

The land of Goshen, where the children of Israel lived, was spared from the hail. While Egypt’s fields, trees, people, and animals were crushed, Goshen was untouched. This clear difference highlights God’s power to judge and protect at the same time. It shows that He can single out His people for mercy even while others are facing disaster. This protection points to God’s care for His people and makes it even more clear that the plague was from Him and not just a natural storm.

Exodus 9:13

¶ And the Lord said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

The Seventh Plague: Hail

metadata.crossReferences

Exodus 9:13

¶ And the Lord said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

share.title

share.allVerses

share.verseWithContext

share.currentVerse

The Seventh Plague: Hail

metadata.crossReferences