the objects of the worship of the Egyptians, namely, their calves or oxen. Those who would offer
acceptable sacrifice to God, must separate themselves from the wicked and profane. They must
also retire from the world. Israel cannot keep the feast of the Lord, either among the brick-kilns or
among the flesh-pots of Egypt. And they must sacrifice as God shall command, not otherwise.
Though they were in slavery to Pharaoh, yet they must obey God's commands. Pharaoh consents
for them to go into the wilderness, provided they do not go so far but that he might fetch them back
again. Thus, some sinners, in a pang of conviction, part with their sins, yet are loth they should go
very far away; for when the fright is over, they will turn to them again. Moses promised the removal
of this plague. But let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more. Be not deceived; God is not mocked:
if we think to cheat God by a sham repentance and a false surrender of ourselves to him, we shall
put a fatal cheat upon our own souls. Pharaoh returned to his hardness. Reigning lusts break through
the strongest bonds, and make men presume and go from their word. Many seem in earnest, but
there is some reserve, some beloved, secret sin. They are unwilling to look upon themselves as in
danger of everlasting misery. They will refrain from other sins; they do much, give much, and even
punish themselves much. They will leave it off sometimes, and, as it were, let their sin depart a
little way; but will not make up their minds to part with all and follow Christ, bearing the cross.
Rather than that, they venture all. They are sorrowful, but depart from Christ, determined to keep
the world at present, and they hope for some future season, when salvation may be had without
such costly sacrifices; but, at length, the poor sinner is driven away in his wickedness, and left
without hope to lament his folly.
Chapter 9
Chapter Outline
The murrain of beasts. (1–7)
The plague of boils and blains. (8–12)
The plague of hail threatened. (13–21)
The plague of hail inflicted. (22–35)Verses 1–7
God will have Israel released, Pharaoh opposes it, and the trial is, whose word shall stand. The
hand of the Lord at once is upon the cattle, many of which, some of all kinds, die by a sort of
murrain. This was greatly to the loss of the owners; they had made Israel poor, and now God would
make them poor. The hand of God is to be seen, even in the sickness and death of cattle; for a
sparrow falls not to the ground without our Father. None of the Israelites' cattle should die; the
Lord shall sever. The cattle died. The Egyptians worshipped their cattle. What we make an idol of,
it is just with God to remove from us. This proud tyrant and cruel oppressor deserved to be made
an example by the just Judge of the universe. None who are punished according to what they
deserve, can have any just cause to complain. Hardness of heart denotes that state of mind upon