Psalm 78:47-48

Psalm 78:47-48

The plague of hail

I love that fact that this Psalm gives us some additional details about a plague that even the original account of events in the book of Exodus does not mention. The Egyptians vines were ruined. Their sycamore figs were destroyed, and the cattle were killed by the icy torrent which was accompanied by bolts of lightning. It was absolutely terrifying and brought enormous destruction on the land although Goshen, where the Israelites dwelt, was hail-free!

The Egyptian goddess of the sky was named “Nut”. Again, warning is given before the enactment of the plague takes place. Pharaoh is warned of the impending doom that will be faced if he does not listen to the Lord and turn away from his own Egyptian gods and goddesses. Hail of unspeakable size and ability to destroy, would rain down from the sky and turn to fire as it hit the ground. The Lord, in showing Pharaoh that "there is none like Him in the Earth", allows those who are willing to hear His word, and do as He commands, to be saved. 

Interestingly enough, other scriptures tell us that the crops that were destroyed by the hail consisted of flax and barley, which were ripening in the fields. These two particular crops were not the mainstay of the Egyptians’ diet but were used more specifically for their clothing, potions, beverages and sacrifices. This destruction would make their life uncomfortable, but as far as effecting their food supply, the wheat presumably still survived. This gave the Egyptians still another chance to turn to "the One True God", and forsake their own gods and goddesses, thus revealing His mercy and grace even though their time was running out. 

 

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