Exodus 9:28 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Plead with the Lord, for there has been enough of God 's thunder and hail. I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer."

NIV: Pray to the Lord, for we have had enough thunder and hail. I will let you go; you don’t have to stay any longer."

NASB: Plead with the Lord, for there has been enough of God’s thunder and hail; and I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer.'

CSB: Make an appeal to the Lord. There has been enough of God’s thunder and hail. I will let you go; you don’t need to stay any longer."

NLT: Please beg the Lord to end this terrifying thunder and hail. We’ve had enough. I will let you go; you don’t need to stay any longer.'

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Entreat the Lord, that there may be no more mighty thundering and hail, for it is enough. I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer.”

The latest plague to strike Egypt (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10) was a brutal hailstorm demolishing every living thing caught in the open (Exodus 9:24–25). Yet the Hebrew territories were spared (Exodus 9:26). Egypt's king, the pharaoh, has called on Moses and Aaron to beg for relief. In that appeal, he admitted that he and the people of Egypt were wrong. Yet he specifically said, "this time," meaning only this latest refusal (Exodus 9:27). He apparently sees no issues with his prior stubbornness (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32), despite the disastrous results of the prior plagues (Exodus 7:21, 24; 8:3, 14, 17, 24; 9:6, 10–11) , or with Egypt's treatment of the Israelites in general. This is an all but explicit claim that his and Egypt's prior conduct were moral (Exodus 1:11–14).

Here, Pharaoh recognizes that Moses and Aaron speak with God. Some commentators emphasize that Pharaoh does not attempt to speak directly to God—but such a thing would not likely have occurred to an Egyptian. That detail is less a sign of his humility and more a reflection of his religious culture. In the modern day, it's common for the non-religious or weakly spiritual to assume that believers have exclusive access to God which others could never attain. In truth, God has always been willing to hear those who cry out (Psalm 14:2; Galatians 3:28), even when some of His laws included priests for certain rituals (Leviticus 5:8; 6:6; Numbers 6:10).

Pharaoh claims he will release the Israelite slaves. Moses will agree to appeal to God to bring an immediate end to the storm. But Moses was not gullible. He knew Pharaoh was not entirely sincere (Exodus 9:29). The plague would be ended, but God's people would not be freed (Exodus 9:34–35). Once again, and for the last time (Exodus 4:21; 10:20, 27; 14:3–4), Pharaoh rejects an opportunity to submit to God. This was his final opportunity (Proverbs 29:1; Isaiah 55:6; Luke 13:25; Hebrews 9:27). As a result, three more plagues take place before Israel is freed.

Exodus 9:27–35 shows that Pharaoh is entirely to blame for his stubbornness against God. After a catastrophic seventh plague, the king claims to be convinced. He begs for the hailstorm to stop (Exodus 9:24–25). Moses agrees but is not fooled by the apparent change of heart. As soon as the hail and lightning stop, Pharaoh once again (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7) deliberately defies God. This is a point of no return (Proverbs 29:1). After this, God will ensure that Pharaoh remains obstinate (Exodus 4:21) to establish an example of divine judgment.

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).