Exodus 9: “Knowing the Truth and Still Refusing It”
1. God Repeats the Same Demand
“Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews: Let My people go, that they may serve Me.” (Ex 9:1)
God does not change His message.
This matters deeply for Catholic faith:
God is patient
God is consistent
God does not lower the truth to make obedience easier
Freedom is still for service and worship, not independence.
St Augustine of Hippo writes:
“God repeats His call, not because He is unsure, but because man is slow to obey.”
(Sermons)
2. A Clear Warning Before Judgment
“If you refuse to let them go and still hold them, behold, the hand of the Lord will fall…” (vv. 2–3)
God warns before He strikes.
Judgment is never sudden or arbitrary.
This is a constant Catholic teaching:
God always gives space for repentance.
St Gregory the Great explains:
“God threatens so that He may not strike; He strikes only when threats are despised.”
(Moralia on Job)
3. The Fifth Plague: Disease Among the Livestock
“A very severe pestilence… on the horses, the donkeys, the camels, the herds, and the flocks.” (v. 3)
This plague strikes economic security.
Animals were:
Wealth
Food
Power
God shows that false security cannot protect life.
Spiritually, this teaches:
What we trust instead of God eventually fails us.
4. God Makes a Distinction Again
“But the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt.” (v. 4)
Once more, God protects His people.
This does not mean Israel is better —
it means Israel belongs to God.
Catholic theology calls this election for mission, not privilege.
St Bede the Venerable comments:
“God distinguishes His people not to exalt them, but to reveal His faithfulness.”
(Commentary on Exodus)
5. God Sets a Time
“The Lord set a time, saying, ‘Tomorrow the Lord will do this thing.’” (v. 5)
God’s actions are deliberate, not chaotic.
This gives Pharaoh time to reflect.
The Church sees here a warning:
Grace often gives one last pause before judgment.
6. Pharaoh Checks the Evidence — and Still Refuses
“Pharaoh sent, and behold, not one of the livestock of Israel was dead.” (v. 7)
This is crucial.
Pharaoh now knows:
God’s power is real
God’s word is accurate
Yet he still refuses.
This is no longer ignorance —
it is deliberate resistance.
St John Chrysostom warns:
“Nothing is more dangerous than truth recognised but not obeyed.”
(Homilies on Exodus)
7. Pharaoh’s Heart Hardens Further
“But the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.” (v. 7)
Repeated refusal is becoming habit.
Catholic moral teaching is very clear:
What we repeatedly refuse becomes harder to accept later.
8. The Sixth Plague: Painful Boils
“They took soot from the kiln… and it became boils breaking out in sores.” (vv. 8–10)
This plague now affects human bodies, not just property.
The kiln was used to make bricks —
the very symbol of Israel’s slavery.
What was used to oppress others now returns as suffering.
St Gregory the Great says:
“The instruments of sin often become the instruments of punishment.”
(Moralia on Job)
9. Even the Magicians Are Struck
“The magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils.” (v. 11)
This is decisive.
False power is:
Publicly humiliated
Physically broken
Unable even to appear
The world’s pretenders collapse.
St Augustine explains:
“When pride is struck, it cannot even stand in the presence of truth.”
(City of God)
10. Pharaoh Still Refuses
“But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not listen.” (v. 12)
This now describes the result, not the cause.
God allows Pharaoh to remain fixed in his chosen pride.
This is a sobering Catholic truth:
God respects human freedom — even when it leads to ruin.
11. God Speaks Directly to Pharaoh’s Responsibility
“For by now I could have struck you… but for this purpose I have raised you up.” (vv. 15–16)
God reveals why He has allowed Pharaoh to continue:
So God’s power may be unmistakable
So future generations may learn
This is not cruelty —
it is revelation.
St Augustine explains:
“God permits the proud to rise so that pride may be seen and condemned.”
(City of God)
12. Mercy Is Still Offered
“Now therefore send, get your livestock and all that you have in the field into safe shelter.” (v. 19)
This is astonishing.
Even now, God provides instructions to escape harm.
Judgment is mixed with mercy.
The Church teaches:
God never delights in suffering; He always leaves a door open.
13. Some Egyptians Listen
“Whoever feared the word of the Lord… brought his servants and livestock into the houses.” (v. 20)
This is vital.
Not all Egyptians resist God.
Faith is possible even among the oppressors.
This anticipates:
Gentile conversion
The Church welcoming all nations
St Bede comments:
“Where humility appears, mercy enters, even among strangers.”
(Commentary on Exodus)
14. Others Ignore the Warning
“Whoever did not pay attention… left his servants and livestock in the field.” (v. 21)
Knowledge alone does not save.
Response matters.
15. The Seventh Plague: Hail and Fire
“There was hail and fire flashing continually in the midst of the hail.” (vv. 23–24)
This plague is overwhelming:
Destructive
Visible
Unavoidable
Nature itself becomes an instrument of judgment.
Yet again:
Israel is spared.
16. Pharaoh Finally Admits Sin — But Not Conversion
“This time I have sinned; the Lord is in the right.” (v. 27)
This sounds like repentance — but it is incomplete.
Pharaoh admits:
God is right
He is wrong
But he does not surrender.
St John Chrysostom explains:
“Confession without conversion is fear speaking, not faith.”
(Homilies on Exodus)
17. Pharaoh Wants the Punishment Gone — Not the Sin
“Plead with the Lord… and I will let you go.” (v. 28)
Again:
Relief is desired
Obedience is conditional
This is false repentance.
18. Moses Knows the Truth
“I know that you do not yet fear the Lord.” (v. 30)
Moses sees clearly.
Fear of punishment is not the same as fear of God.
Catholic teaching is precise:
True repentance flows from love of God
Not merely fear of consequences
19. The Land Is Partially Destroyed
“The flax and barley were struck down… but the wheat was not.” (vv. 31–32)
Even judgment is measured.
God limits destruction.
This again shows:
Judgment is never indiscriminate.
20. Moses Prays — and the Plague Stops
“The thunder and hail ceased.” (v. 33)
God responds immediately to intercession.
Prayer still works — even for the unrepentant.
This reveals Moses as a true mediator — a figure of Christ.
21. Pharaoh Hardens His Heart Yet Again
“When Pharaoh saw that the rain and hail ceased… he sinned yet again.” (v. 34)
This is now a pattern.
Relief leads to relapse.
St Augustine warns:
“To promise obedience in pain and withdraw it in comfort is the sickness of the proud soul.”
(Sermons)
Key Catholic Themes in Exodus 9
| Theme | Catholic Meaning |
| Warning before judgment | God’s mercy precedes justice |
| Knowledge | Increases responsibility |
| False repentance | Fear without surrender |
| Intercession | God listens to prayer |
| Freedom | God respects even stubborn refusal |
| Measured judgment | God limits destruction |
Christ at the Centre of Exodus 9
Moses → Christ the Mediator
Pharaoh → the hardened heart
Warning → Gospel call to repentance
Judgment → consequence of refusal
Protection → grace for God’s people
St Augustine summarises:
“What Pharaoh resisted in shadow, Christ offers in fullness — mercy before judgment.”
(City of God)
Spiritual Application
Do not delay obedience once truth is known.
Fear of punishment is not enough — love must change the heart.
God always warns before He judges.
Intercessory prayer matters.
Repeated refusal makes repentance harder.
Closing Prayer
Lord God of mercy and truth,
You warn before You judge
and call before You strike.
Give us hearts that listen and obey,
not only in fear but in love.
Save us from hardened hearts,
and lead us to true repentance
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 