Scripture: And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Take handfuls of soot from the kiln, and let Moses throw them in the air in the sight of Pharaoh. It shall become fine dust over all the land of Egypt, and become boils breaking out in sores on man and beast throughout all the land of Egypt.” So they took soot from the kiln and stood before Pharaoh. And Moses threw it in the air, and it became boils breaking out in sores on man and beast. And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils, for the boils came upon the magicians and upon all the Egyptians. But the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as the LORD had spoken to Moses.
Exodus 9:8-12 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, following the formulaic command of the first, second, and fourth plagues, God tells Moses to tell Pharaoh to let his people go and serve him. If he refuses, on the next day, the Lord will inflict a severe plague that will decimate the Egyptian livestock grazing in their fields, but not those in pasturing in Goshen (Israel’s territory). Without mentioning Pharaoh’s response, Moses tells us the Lord inflicted the plague the next day and that Pharaoh sent scouts to confirm whether the Hebrew God spared the Hebrew cattle from disease. And even with confirmation, Pharoah stubbornly refuses to let God’s people go.
Today’s reading continues the show of power with the sixth plague. This time, the instrument of choice to initiate the plague is not Aaron’s staff but soot from a kiln. Following God’s command, Moses thrusts the soot into the air, and oozing, painful boils erupt on the Egyptians and their livestock. Even the humiliated magicians avoided Moses. Nevertheless, hardhearted Pharaoh refuses to listen to Moses and Aaron.
Takeaway: This sixth plague marks the end of the second of three cycles of curses. And like the third plague (which ends the first cycle), the curse is acted out unannounced. Here, the detail of soot from a kiln likely symbolizes the physicality of Israel’s suffering under forced labor, given that they would have baked bricks in a kiln. Thus, casting the dust into the air signaled judgment soon for Pharaoh and his people. Moreover, the resulting painful boils forebode the type of judgment: just as the Egyptians disregarded the physical wellbeing of the Hebrews (which included loss of lives), so will the final plague.
Our takeaway? There are three. First, God initiated the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart to communicate his sovereignty and the certainty of redemption to Israel. While this might raise a question of fairness, we must always come back to the truth that the noetic effect of sin diminishes our understanding of justice and mercy. Moreover, as Paul warns, we are the creation, so who are we to question our Creator (Romans 9:19-24)? On a softer note, God exercises judgment, knowing the extent of Pharaoh’s and our hearts and every decision he and we will make. For us who know and love our Triune God, like Israel, this is excellent news that ensures our perseverance to the finish line, for nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39).
Secondly, as in this historical account, those we deem our antagonists, such as the magicians, will ultimately meet their just fate. While we should never crow over others’ misfortunes, equally, we should not envy their successes because final judgment awaits everyone. But as God’s children, we stand acquitted in Christ.
Lastly, our anguish does not go unnoticed by God. He has redeemed us from our ultimate enemy, sin, and will rescue us in due time from the sinful actions of others. For just as the unrepentant wreak suffering on the helpless, so they one day will helplessly suffer according to their crimes, eternally separated from the glorious kingdom of God. But we will rise from the ashes of the kiln to a magnificent heavenly banquet (Luke 14:12-24).
Our part? Rise from the ashes. Like the old English poem, The Phoenix, through our hunger for rebirth, we rise to new life in Christ from the ashes of our once hardened hearts. Indeed, this imagery of new life from death is at the heart of our sacrament of baptism. Still, as theologian Jürgen Moltmann contends, the remainder of our faith journey will entail daily dying to our selfish, stubborn ways and rising to a new way of living in Christ where humility replaces hardheartedness and love replaces fear of loss and overwhelms our enemies. So, how do we rise? We abide in Christ (John 15:4), where, through the help of the Holy Spirit, we mature into fearless servants of Christ who enter the fray of spiritual warfare armed with love and prayers that overwhelm our enemies (Matthew 5:44).
Prayer: Father God, we thank you that while ancient Israel witnessed your presence in clouds by day and pillars of fire by night, in this age of the New Covenant, you dwell with us and in us through your Son and your Holy Spirit. Please help us prayerfully abide in your Son and cooperate with the discipline and direction of your Holy Spirit to rise from the ashes, knowing no one or nothing can snatch us from your and your Son’s grasp (John 10:28-29). Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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