Question 1

What is the main message of the plague of hail in this passage?

Accepted Answer

This plague shows both God’s judgment and His mercy. God announces a terrible hailstorm that has never been seen in Egypt before. He warns Pharaoh to bring people and animals in from the field so they will not die, so anyone who believes His word can be safe. When Moses stretches out his hand, God sends hail, thunder, and fire that destroy people, animals, and crops, but He protects His people in Goshen. The story shows God’s power over creation, the danger of ignoring His warnings, and His kindness in giving a clear way to escape.

Question 2

Why did God warn the Egyptians to bring their cattle and servants inside?

Accepted Answer

God’s warning shows that even when He sends judgment, He still shows mercy. He tells Pharaoh and the Egyptians to gather their cattle and everything in the field, because anyone left outside will die in the hail. Some of Pharaoh’s servants take this seriously, fear the word of the Lord, and bring their servants and animals inside. Others ignore it and lose them. This teaches that God’s justice is not random. He gives clear warning and a way of safety, and those who listen to His word are spared from harm.

Question 3

Why was there no hail in the land of Goshen where Israel lived?

Accepted Answer

The lack of hail in Goshen shows that God can judge and protect at the same time. The storm covers all Egypt, striking people, animals, plants, and trees, yet in the land where the children of Israel live there is no hail. This makes it clear that the plague is not a normal storm but God’s direct act. It also shows His special care for His people. While Egypt is struck, God keeps Israel safe, proving that He rules over nature and remembers His promises to those who belong to Him.

Question 4

What does Pharaoh’s confession “I have sinned this time” show about his heart?

Accepted Answer

Pharaoh’s words sound humble at first. He says, “I have sinned this time; the Lord is righteous, and I and my people are wicked,” and he begs Moses to pray for the thunder and hail to stop. But the story shows this is not real repentance. He only wants the pain to end, not to truly submit to God. Moses even says he knows Pharaoh and his servants will not yet fear the Lord. As soon as the storm stops, Pharaoh sins more and hardens his heart. This warns us that saying the right words is not the same as truly turning to God.

Question 5

What does this passage teach about fearing the word of the Lord?

Accepted Answer

In the story, some of Pharaoh’s servants “feared the word of the Lord” and some did not. Those who feared His word brought their servants and cattle into shelter and they were kept safe. Those who did not regard His word left them in the field and they died in the hail. This shows that real fear of God is not just a feeling, it leads to action. To fear His word is to take it seriously, trust what He says, and obey it, even when others do not. Ignoring God’s word brings loss, but listening brings protection.

Question 6

Why did Pharaoh harden his heart again after the hail and thunder stopped?

Accepted Answer

When the storm is raging, Pharaoh feels the pressure and calls Moses and Aaron. He admits his sin and promises to let Israel go. Moses prays, the thunder and hail stop, and even the rain ceases. But when Pharaoh sees that the danger is over, he sins yet more and hardens his heart, along with his servants. This shows how the same mercy that should lead to repentance can, in a stubborn heart, lead back to rebellion. The passage warns that if we only turn to God in trouble, but forget Him when things calm down, our hearts can grow even harder.

Question 7

What is the meaning of the detail about barley, flax, wheat, and rye?

Accepted Answer

The passage explains that the flax and barley were struck by the hail because they were already grown, while the wheat and rye were not yet up and so were not destroyed. This shows how severe the plague was, but it also hints at God’s providence. Even in judgment, He leaves some crops that will survive and give future food. The detail helps us see that God’s hand is in the timing and extent of the storm. He is not out of control; He knows what is being broken and what is being spared.

Question 8

How does Moses act in this passage, and what does it show about prayer?

Accepted Answer

Moses obeys God by stretching out his hand so the hail will come, and later he leaves the city, spreads out his hands to the Lord, and prays for the hail and thunder to stop. He does this even though he knows Pharaoh’s heart is still hard. This shows Moses as a faithful servant and go-between, carrying out God’s commands and also pleading for mercy. It teaches that God listens to prayer, since the storm stops when Moses prays, and also that we should keep praying even for people who seem very stubborn.

Question 9

What does this passage show about God’s power over nature?

Accepted Answer

The hailstorm here is described as unlike anything Egypt had ever seen. God tells the exact time it will start, sends hail and thunder, and even fire running along the ground mixed with the hail. It destroys people, animals, crops, and trees wherever God sends it, yet it leaves Goshen untouched. All of this shows that God is not limited by natural laws. He controls the weather and every part of creation. The elements obey Him, and He can use them either to judge or to protect, so the earth truly belongs to Him.

Exodus 9:18

Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.

The Seventh Plague: Hail

The Plague of Hail

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Exodus 9:18

Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.

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The Seventh Plague: Hail

The Plague of Hail

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