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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Exod.9.18

Exodus 9:18

KJV GOD

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 Plague of Hail

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.

Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die.

He that feared the word of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses:

And he that regarded not the word of the Lord left his servants and his cattle in the field.

¶ And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.

And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the Lord rained hail upon the land of Egypt.

So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.

And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field.

Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail.

¶ 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.

Intreat the Lord (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer.

And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the Lord; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the Lord’S.

But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the Lord God.

And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled.

But the wheat and the rie were not smitten: for they were not grown up.

And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the Lord: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.

And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.

And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the Lord had spoken by Moses.

Cross References

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