Exodus 9:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For this time I will send all my plagues on you yourself, and on your servants and your people, so that you may know that there is none like me in all the earth.

NIV: or this time I will send the full force of my plagues against you and against your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no one like me in all the earth.

NASB: For this time I am going to send all My plagues on you and your servants and your people, so that you may know that there is no one like Me in all the earth.

CSB: For this time I am about to send all my plagues against you, your officials, and your people. Then you will know there is no one like me on the whole earth.

NLT: If you don’t, I will send more plagues on you and your officials and your people. Then you will know that there is no one like me in all the earth.

KJV: For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth.

NKJV: for at this time I will send all My plagues to your very heart, and on your servants and on your people, that you may know that there is none like Me in all the earth.

God's prediction here clearly indicates that the upcoming seventh plague (Exodus 3:20) would not be the last. The Hebrew text literally says the plagues will be sent "on your heart." This figure of speech indicates a personal emphasis on Pharaoh. The Lord clarifies the reason for these plagues, which is to demonstrate His glory and power. Egypt was the most powerful nation on earth at that time. The series of plagues would prove that neither Egypt nor their false gods were anything compared to the One True God.

Part of this judgment is using Pharoah as an example for history. After repeatedly defying the Lord (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7), Pharaoh has one last chance. He will fail once again (Exodus 9:34–35) and lose any opportunity to avoid disaster (Exodus 4:21–23). From now on, God will complete His message by "hardening" Pharaoh to incite further calamities (Exodus 10:1, 20, 27; 11:10; 14:8). To some, this seems unfair. But Pharaoh has been given numerous chances (Exodus 5:1; 7:16; 8:1, 21; 9:1). God could have wiped out the entire nation if He so chose (Exodus 9:15). Pharaoh's own sin has brought him past the point of no return (Proverbs 29:1; Exodus 9:16–17).

In Isaiah 46:9 the Lord notes, "I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me." In Isaiah's context, God contrasts His greatness against the idols of Babylon. He is superior to imaginary gods made by people. God exhibits supreme power over all creation, including times of judgment against those who oppose His will and His people.

Exodus 9:13–26 explains the seventh plague on Egypt (Exodus 3:20). Because Pharaoh has stubbornly resisted the Lord (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7), God has begun to harden Pharaoh's heart as a means of judgment (Exodus 9:12). Moses offers a warning for Egyptians to take shelter against a coming storm. Some listen, others do not. God sends a terrifying, brutal storm of hail and lightning that kills everything and everyone in the open fields. Only the Hebrew land of Goshen is spared.

After four devastating plagues, Pharaoh continues to resist God's command to free the Hebrew slaves. Through Moses, the Lord sends two more: death of Egyptian livestock and an epidemic of skin lesions. Pharoah refuses to respond to the first, and God makes him stubborn after the second. This leads to the most terrifying sign yet: the seventh plague of hail and fire. Pharoah claims to repent. Yet as soon as the hail stops, he again chooses obstinance. After this, the Lord will use Pharaoh as a tool to demonstrate divine judgment.

Moses and Aaron brought the Lord's command that Pharaoh should release Hebrew slaves (Exodus 5:1–4). Over and over, Egypt's king was obstinate. This resulted in divine plagues meant to demonstrate God's power and authority (Exodus 7:20; 8:6, 17, 24). In this chapter, God sends three more disasters: a plague on livestock, an epidemic of skin sores, and an obliterating storm of hail and lightning. Pharaoh will once again choose stubbornness, passing a point of no return (Proverbs 29:1). For the remaining plagues (Exodus 10—12) and after (Exodus 14:4), Pharaoh will be a living example of the Lord's divine judgment (Exodus 4:21).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.