which neither threatenings nor promise, neither judgements nor mercies, make any abiding
impression. The conscience being stupified, and the heart filled with pride and presumption, they
persist in unbelief and disobedience. This state of mind is also called the stony heart. Very different
is the heart of flesh, the broken and contrite heart. Sinners have none to blame but themselves, for
that pride and ungodliness which abuse the bounty and patience of God. For, however the Lord
hardens the hearts of men, it is always as a punishment of former sins.
Verses 8–12
When the Egyptians were not wrought upon by the death of their cattle, God sent a plague that
seized their own bodies. If lesser judgments do not work, God will send greater. Sometimes God
shows men their sin in their punishment. They had oppressed Israel in the furnaces, and now the
ashes of the furnace are made a terror to them. The plague itself was very grievous. The magicians
themselves were struck with these boils. Their power was restrained before; but they continued to
withstand Moses, and to confirm Pharaoh in his unbelief, till they were forced to give way. Pharaoh
continued obstinate. He had hardened his own heart, and now God justly gave him up to his own
heart's lusts, permitting Satan to blind and harden him. If men shut their eyes against the light, it
is just with God to close their eyes. This is the sorest judgment a man can be under out of hell.
Verses 13–21
Moses is here ordered to deliver a dreadful message to Pharaoh. Providence ordered it, that
Moses should have a man of such a fierce and stubborn spirit as this Pharaoh to deal with; and
every thing made it a most signal instance of the power of God has to humble and bring down the
proudest of his enemies. When God's justice threatens ruin, his mercy at the same time shows a
way of escape from it. God not only distinguished between Egyptians and Israelites, but between
some Egyptians and others. If Pharaoh will not yield, and so prevent the judgment itself, yet those
that will take warning, may take shelter. Some believed the things which were spoken, and they
feared, and housed their servants and cattle, and it was their wisdom. Even among the servants of
Pharaoh, some trembled at God's word; and shall not the sons of Israel dread it? But others believed
not, and left their cattle in the field. Obstinate unbelief is deaf to the fairest warnings, and the wisest
counsels, which leaves the blood of those that perish upon their own heads.
Verses 22–35
Woful havoc this hail made: it killed both men and cattle; the corn above ground was destroyed,
and that only preserved which as yet was not come up. The land of Goshen was preserved. God
causes rain or hail on one city and not on another, either in mercy or in judgment. Pharaoh humbled
himself to Moses. No man could have spoken better: he owns himself wrong; he owns that the Lord
is righteous; and God must be justified when he speaks, though he speaks in thunder and lightning.
Yet his heart was hardened all this while. Moses pleads with God: though he had reason to think
Pharaoh would repent of his repentance, and he told him so, yet he promises to be his friend. Moses
went out of the city, notwithstanding the hail and lightning which kept Pharaoh and his servants
within doors. Peace with God makes men thunder-proof. Pharaoh was frightened by the tremendous