But the LORD will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that no animal belonging to the Israelites will die.'" But the LORD will make a distinctionThis phrase highlights God's sovereignty and His ability to differentiate between His people and others. It reflects the theme of divine election and protection, as seen throughout the Bible. The distinction made by God here is a precursor to the separation of the righteous from the unrighteous, a theme that is echoed in the New Testament, such as in Matthew 25:31-46, where Jesus speaks of separating the sheep from the goats. between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt,
The livestock represents the economic and agricultural wealth of both nations. In ancient Egypt, livestock was crucial for agriculture, transportation, and religious sacrifices. By sparing the livestock of Israel, God demonstrates His power over the natural world and His ability to protect His people’s resources. This distinction also serves as a sign to the Egyptians of the true God’s power, contrasting with their own deities, such as Apis, the bull god, and Hathor, the cow goddess. so that no animal belonging to the Israelites will die.’”
This promise of protection is a direct fulfillment of God's covenant with Israel, showcasing His faithfulness. It also serves as a type of Christ, who is the ultimate protector and savior of His people. The sparing of the Israelites' livestock can be seen as a foreshadowing of the Passover, where God spares the firstborn of Israel, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). This act of divine protection underscores the theme of redemption and deliverance that runs throughout the Bible. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who demonstrates His power and sovereignty over creation and the false gods of Egypt. 2. MosesThe prophet and leader chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. 3. PharaohThe ruler of Egypt, whose heart is hardened against letting the Israelites go, despite witnessing God's mighty acts. 4. EgyptThe land where the Israelites are enslaved, representing a place of oppression and idolatry. 5. IsraelitesGod's chosen people, who are set apart by Him and protected during the plagues. Teaching Points God's SovereigntyRecognize that God is in control over all creation and can make distinctions according to His will. Divine ProtectionTrust in God's ability to protect and preserve His people, even in the midst of judgment or calamity. Covenant FaithfulnessReflect on God's faithfulness to His promises and His people, as seen in His actions during the plagues. Call to HolinessUnderstand that being set apart by God calls for a life of holiness and obedience in response to His grace. Witness to the NationsConsider how God's actions in distinguishing His people serve as a testimony to His power and character to the surrounding nations. Bible Study Questions 1. How does God's distinction between the livestock of Israel and Egypt demonstrate His sovereignty and faithfulness? 2. In what ways can we see God's protective hand in our lives today, similar to His protection of the Israelites? 3. How does the concept of being set apart by God challenge us to live differently in our current cultural context? 4. What are some modern-day "Egypts" or places of bondage from which God is calling us to be free? 5. How can we, as God's people, serve as a witness to His power and character in our communities? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 12:1-3God's promise to Abraham to make his descendants a great nation, which is being fulfilled as He distinguishes Israel from Egypt. Exodus 8:22-23Earlier in the plagues, God also made a distinction between His people and the Egyptians, showing His protective hand over Israel. Psalm 91A psalm of protection, reflecting the theme of God safeguarding His people amidst danger. John 10:27-29Jesus speaks of His sheep knowing His voice and being protected, echoing the theme of divine distinction and care. People Aaron, Egyptians, Israelites, Moses, PharaohPlaces Egypt, GoshenTopics Animal, Belongeth, Belonging, Belongs, Cattle, Children's, Die, Distinction, Distinguish, Division, Egypt, Israelites, Israel's, Livestock, Loss, Nothing, Separated, Sever, SonsDictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 9:4 4843 plague Exodus 9:4-6 4604 animals, nature of 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 9:4 NIVExodus 9:4 NLTExodus 9:4 ESVExodus 9:4 NASBExodus 9:4 KJV
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