Exodus 9:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: but whoever did not pay attention to the word of the Lord left his slaves and his livestock in the field.

NIV: But those who ignored the word of the Lord left their slaves and livestock in the field.

NASB: but everyone who did not pay regard to the word of the Lord left his servants and his livestock in the field.

CSB: but those who didn’t take to heart the Lord’s word left their servants and livestock in the field.

NLT: But those who paid no attention to the word of the Lord left theirs out in the open.

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

NKJV: But he who did not regard the word of the Lord left his servants and his livestock in the field.

God has repeatedly commanded Pharaoh to release the Hebrew slaves (Exodus 5:1; 7:16; 8:1, 21; 9:1). Pharaoh has repeatedly refused (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7). As a result, Egypt suffered numerous disasters (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10). These are clearly divine (Exodus 8:19) and meant to prove the power of the Israelite God. Moses announces the threat of a seventh plague (Exodus 9:18), but also advice. Those who take shelter can avoid losing animals and servants (Exodus 9:19). Some of the Egyptians wisely chose to follow this guidance (Exodus 9:20), but some do not. Those who refuse to "fear" God (Proverbs 1:7) even now will suffer great losses (Exodus 9:22–26).

The phrase "the word of the Lord" is significant. Though a common expression in the Old Testament, the phrase only appears twice in the book of Exodus. Both are in this passage (Exodus 9:20). The book of Genesis uses this phrase only twice, as well, when God explains His covenant to Abraham (Genesis 15:1, 4). Later books make more use of the expression as they record the laws given to Israel. The term is often tied to warnings about disobedience (Numbers 3:16, 51; 15:31; 24:13; 36:5, Deuteronomy 5:5; 34:5).

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.