The magicians could not stand before Moses, because the boils had broken out on them and on all the Egyptians. The magicians could not stand before MosesThe magicians, who previously attempted to replicate the miracles performed by Moses and Aaron, are now powerless. This signifies the superiority of God's power over Egyptian magic and deities. In earlier chapters, these magicians were able to mimic some of the plagues, but their inability to stand before Moses here highlights the progression of God's judgment and the futility of opposing Him. This moment foreshadows the ultimate defeat of all who oppose God's will, as seen in Revelation 19:19-21. because the boils had broken out on them
The boils represent the sixth plague sent by God upon Egypt. This affliction was not only painful but also rendered the magicians ceremonially unclean, preventing them from performing their duties. The Hebrew word for "boils" suggests inflamed, ulcerous sores, which would have been both physically debilitating and socially isolating. This plague demonstrates God's control over health and disease, contrasting with the Egyptian belief in their gods' protective powers. and on all the Egyptians
The widespread nature of the boils emphasizes the comprehensive reach of God's judgment. Unlike previous plagues that affected specific areas or groups, this one impacts all Egyptians, signifying that no one is exempt from God's authority. This universal affliction serves as a precursor to the final plague, the death of the firstborn, which ultimately leads to the liberation of the Israelites. The suffering of the Egyptians can be seen as a parallel to the suffering of those who reject God, as described in Romans 1:18-32. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe prophet and leader chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. He is the central human figure in the account of the Exodus. 2. Magicians of EgyptThese were the wise men and sorcerers who served Pharaoh. They attempted to replicate the miracles performed by Moses and Aaron but were ultimately powerless against the plagues sent by God. 3. PharaohThe ruler of Egypt who hardened his heart against God’s command to let the Israelites go, leading to the plagues. 4. BoilsThe sixth plague sent by God upon Egypt, causing painful sores on humans and animals, demonstrating God's power over health and well-being. 5. EgyptThe land where the Israelites were enslaved, and the setting for the plagues that God sent to compel Pharaoh to release His people. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over All PowersThe inability of the Egyptian magicians to stand before Moses due to the boils highlights God's supreme power over all earthly authorities and spiritual forces. The Consequences of Hardening One's HeartPharaoh's persistent refusal to heed God's command led to increasing severity in the plagues, illustrating the dangers of a hardened heart against God. The Futility of Human Wisdom Against Divine WillThe magicians' failure underscores the limitations of human wisdom and power when confronted with God's will and purposes. God's Protection and Distinction for His PeopleWhile the Egyptians suffered, God protected the Israelites, demonstrating His care and distinction for those who belong to Him. The Call to Repentance and ObedienceThe plagues serve as a call to repentance, urging us to respond to God's commands with obedience and humility. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the failure of the Egyptian magicians to stand before Moses demonstrate the limitations of human power against God's will? 2. In what ways does the plague of boils serve as a warning against hardening one's heart to God's commands? 3. How can we apply the lesson of God's protection over the Israelites to our own lives today? 4. What parallels can we draw between the plagues in Egypt and the judgments described in the book of Revelation? 5. How does the account of the plagues encourage us to trust in God's sovereignty and power in our current circumstances? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 7:11-12The magicians initially replicate some of the signs performed by Moses and Aaron, but their power is limited and ultimately fails. 2 Timothy 3:8-9Paul references Jannes and Jambres, who opposed Moses, illustrating the futility of resisting God's truth. Revelation 16:2The first bowl of God's wrath results in painful sores, reminiscent of the plague of boils, showing a parallel in divine judgment. People Aaron, Egyptians, Israelites, Moses, PharaohPlaces Egypt, GoshenTopics Able, Boil, Boils, Couldn't, Disease, Egyptians, Magicians, Places, Scribes, Stand, Wonder-workersDictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 9:11 5436 pain Exodus 9:9-11 5136 body Library Confession of Sin --A Sermon with Seven Texts
The Hardened Sinner. PHARAOH--"I have sinned."--Exodus 9:27. I. The first case I shall bring before you is that of the HARDENED SINNER, who, when under terror, says, "I have sinned." And you will find the text in the book of Exodus, the 9th chap. and 27th verse: "And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the Lord is righteous, and I and my people are wicked." But why this confession from the lips of the haughty tyrant? He was not often wont to …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857The God of the Old Testament is the God of the New
(Palm Sunday.) Exodus ix. 14. 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. We are now beginning Passion Week, the week of the whole year which ought to teach us most theology; that is, most concerning God, his character and his spirit. For in this Passion Week God did that which utterly and perfectly showed forth his glory, as it never has been shown forth before or since. …
Charles Kingsley—The Gospel of the Pentateuch The Plagues of Egypt
(Palm Sunday.) EXODUS ix. 13, 14. Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me. 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. You will understand, I think, the meaning of the ten plagues of Egypt better, if I explain to you in a few words what kind of a country Egypt is, what kind of people the Egyptians were. Some of you, doubtless, …
Charles Kingsley—The Gospel of the Pentateuch Sign Seekers, and the Enthusiast Reproved.
(Galilee on the Same Day as the Last Section.) ^A Matt. XII. 38-45; ^C Luke XI. 24-36. ^c 29 And when the multitudes were gathering together unto him, ^a 38 Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, Teacher, we would see a sign from thee. [Having been severely rebuked by Jesus, it is likely that the scribes and Pharisees asked for a sign that they might appear to the multitude more fair-minded and open to conviction than Jesus had represented them to be. Jesus had just wrought …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Hardening in the Sacred Scripture.
"He hath hardened their heart."-- John xii. 40. The Scripture teaches positively that the hardening and "darkening of their foolish heart" is a divine, intentional act. This is plainly evident from God's charge to Moses concerning the king of Egypt: "Thou shalt speak all that I command thee; and I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh shall not harken unto you, and I will lay My hand upon Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit The Sovereignty of God in Reprobation
"Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God" (Rom. 11:22). In the last chapter when treating of the Sovereignty of God the Father in Salvation, we examined seven passages which represent Him as making a choice from among the children of men, and predestinating certain ones to be conformed to the image of His Son. The thoughtful reader will naturally ask, And what of those who were not "ordained to eternal life?" The answer which is usually returned to this question, even by those who profess …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God Man's Misery by the Fall
Q-19: WHAT IS THE MISERY OF THAT ESTATE WHEREINTO MAN FELL? A: All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all the miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell for ever. 'And were by nature children of wrath.' Eph 2:2. Adam left an unhappy portion to his posterity, Sin and Misery. Having considered the first of these, original sin, we shall now advert to the misery of that state. In the first, we have seen mankind offending; …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Opposition to Messiah Ruinous
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel T here is a species of the sublime in writing, which seems peculiar to the Scripture, and of which, properly, no subjects but those of divine revelation are capable, With us, things inconsiderable in themselves are elevated by splendid images, which give them an apparent importance beyond what they can justly claim. Thus the poet, when describing a battle among bees, by a judicious selection of epithets …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Exposition of Chap. Iii. (ii. 28-32. )
Ver. 1. "And it shall come to pass, afterwards, I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions." The communication of the Spirit of God was the constant prerogative of the Covenant-people. Indeed, the very idea of such a people necessarily requires it. For the Spirit of God is the only inward bond betwixt Him and that which is created; a Covenant-people, therefore, without such an inward …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Exodus 9:11 NIVExodus 9:11 NLTExodus 9:11 ESVExodus 9:11 NASBExodus 9:11 KJV
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