Exodus 9:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then whoever feared the word of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh hurried his slaves and his livestock into the houses,

NIV: Those officials of Pharaoh who feared the word of the Lord hurried to bring their slaves and their livestock inside.

NASB: Everyone among the servants of Pharaoh who feared the word of the Lord hurried to bring his servants and his livestock into the houses;

CSB: Those among Pharaoh’s officials who feared the word of the Lord made their servants and livestock flee to shelters,

NLT: Some of Pharaoh’s officials were afraid because of what the Lord had said. They quickly brought their servants and livestock in from the fields.

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

NKJV: He who feared the word of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his livestock flee to the houses.

The most basic expression of "faith" is acting on what is known about the past and present, despite what isn't known about the future. In that sense, some Egyptians express a vague form of "faith" in the God of Israel (Exodus 9:21). When warned about yet another plague (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10), they act on advice to shelter their servants and animals (Exodus 9:18–19). They "fear" the Lord in that they respect His power and obey His instructions (Proverbs 1:7). This will protect those assets from an impending hailstorm (Exodus 9:18). Despite all that's happened, some Egyptians still refuse to listen (Exodus 9:21).

This also hints at a growing rift between Pharaoh and his people. Pharaoh has been given many chances to obey (Exodus 5:1; 7:16; 8:1, 21; 9:1) but has stubbornly refused (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7), despite Egypt suffering catastrophe after catastrophe. Later, the Old Testament suggests that there were Egyptians who left with Israel (Exodus 12:38, 43, 45; Leviticus 22:25; Deuteronomy 14:21; 15:3). Soon, Pharaoh's advisors will begin pressuring him to negotiate (Exodus 10:7).

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.