IX.

THE FIFTH PLAGUE.

(1-3) The nature of the fifth plague is manifest, and admits of no dispute. It was a rinderpest, or murrain upon cattle; which, however, unlike most similar disorders, attacked the greater number of the domesticated animals—horses, asses, camels, oxen, and sheep. Thus it was “very grievous” (Exodus 9:3). Horses were highly prized by the Egyptians, and were a comparatively recent importation, having been unknown before the time of the seventeenth, or “Shepherd” Dynasty. They were at first used only in war; then by rich men, in peace, to draw their chariots. They had now, however, it would seem, come to be employed also in agriculture. (Note the words “in the field.”) Asses were the ordinary beasts of burthen, and abounded in Egypt anciently as indeed they do at the present day. The Egyptian monuments mention cases where a single landowner owned as many as seven or eight hundred of them. Camels are not represented by the Egyptian sculptors, but are mentioned in the inscriptions (Chabas, Etudes sur l’ Antiquité Historique, pp. 400-413), and must have been employed in the trade between Egypt and the Sinaitic peninsula. Both oxen and sheep were numerous, and constituted a great part of the wealth of individuals. The plague fell upon such animals as were “in the field” at the time—i.e., in the open air, and not confined in stables or sheds. It was the Egyptian practice to house a considerable portion of their cattle; but at the probable season of this plague—December or January—the majority would be in the pastures. Thus the Egyptian losses were very heavy, and the king, no doubt, suffered with the rest, for the Egyptian monarchs were large cattle-owners (Genesis 47:6; Genesis 47:17), The Pharaoh was, however, less impressed by this plague than by the fourth, and made no sign of submission.

9:1-7 God will have Israel released, Pharaoh opposes it, and the trial is, whose word shall stand. The hand of the Lord at once is upon the cattle, many of which, some of all kinds, die by a sort of murrain. This was greatly to the loss of the owners; they had made Israel poor, and now God would make them poor. The hand of God is to be seen, even in the sickness and death of cattle; for a sparrow falls not to the ground without our Father. None of the Israelites' cattle should die; the Lord shall sever. The cattle died. The Egyptians worshipped their cattle. What we make an idol of, it is just with God to remove from us. This proud tyrant and cruel oppressor deserved to be made an example by the just Judge of the universe. None who are punished according to what they deserve, can have any just cause to complain. Hardness of heart denotes that state of mind upon which neither threatenings nor promise, neither judgements nor mercies, make any abiding impression. The conscience being stupified, and the heart filled with pride and presumption, they persist in unbelief and disobedience. This state of mind is also called the stony heart. Very different is the heart of flesh, the broken and contrite heart. Sinners have none to blame but themselves, for that pride and ungodliness which abuse the bounty and patience of God. For, however the Lord hardens the hearts of men, it is always as a punishment of former sins.Three days' journey - See the Exodus 3:18 note. CHAPTER 9

Ex 9:1-7. Murrain of Beasts.God threatens to smite his cattle with a pestilence, Exodus 9:1-3; but spares Israel’s, Exodus 9:4. Appoints a time for the execution hereof, Exodus 9:5; wherein the Egyptians’ cattle dies, Exodus 9:6. Pharaoh’s obstinacy, Exodus 9:7. God strikes all Egypt with boils, which is the sixth plague, Exodus 9:10. The magicians are not able to stand before Moses, Exodus 9:11. Pharaoh’s heart hardened according to the word of the Lord, Exodus 9:12. God commands Moses to repeat his message, Exodus 9:13; and threatens Pharaoh with more grievous plagues, Exodus 9:14. God’s end in raising up Pharaoh, Exodus 9:16. The seventh plague, viz. hail and rain, Exodus 9:18. God’s counsel for the securing of their cattle, Exodus 9:19. The execution of this plague, Exodus 9:23. The effects of it, Exodus 9:25. The land of Goshen is preserved, Exodus 9:26. Pharaoh’s confession, Exodus 9:27. Moses’ prayer for him, Exodus 9:29. He foretells Pharaoh’s obstinacy, Exodus 9:30. By Moses’s entreaty the plague is stayed, Exodus 9:33. Pharaoh’s heart remains hardened, Exodus 9:34,35.

No text from Poole on this verse.

Then the Lord said unto Moses,.... The same day the plague of the flies was removed:

go in unto Pharaoh boldly, without any fear of him or his court:

and tell him, thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews: speak in the name of Jehovah, the God whom the Hebrews worship, and who owns them for his people, and has a special love for them, and takes a special care of them, and is not ashamed to be called their God, as poor and as oppressed as they be:

let my people go, that they may serve me; this demand had been often made, and, though so reasonable, was refused.

Then the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.