And he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field.
The warning stood before a threatened plague of hail that would destroy cattle and every man found in the field, coming with thunder and storm. It was given beforehand so the plagues would not be mistaken for chance. The hail, thunder and storm would show that the whole earth was under God's command, and the judgments would show Jehovah's power.
Those who did not regard the word of the Lord left their servants and cattle in the field exposed to the hail. Those who feared and regarded the word brought their servants and cattle into shelter, into barns and houses. The two responses revealed who feared God and heeded the warning, while disregard came from hearts hardened like Pharaoh's heart.
The warning gave the Egyptians an opportunity to act and repent, testing their exalted pride and showing how many hearts were really affected by God's dealings for His people whom the Egyptians had despised and cruelly entreated. Obeying the warning was the only safety from the judgment. In providing a way of escape for all who submitted and acted on it, for all who chose to act upon the warning, God's mercy was seen in the midst of judgment.
The warning stood before a threatened plague of hail that would destroy cattle and every man found in the field, coming with thunder and storm. It was given beforehand so the plagues would not be mistaken for chance. The hail, thunder and storm would show that the whole earth was under God's command, and the judgments would show Jehovah's power.
Those who did not regard the word of the Lord left their servants and cattle in the field exposed to the hail. Those who feared and regarded the word brought their servants and cattle into shelter, into barns and houses. The two responses revealed who feared God and heeded the warning, while disregard came from hearts hardened like Pharaoh's heart.
The warning gave the Egyptians an opportunity to act and repent, testing their exalted pride and showing how many hearts were really affected by God's dealings for His people whom the Egyptians had despised and cruelly entreated. Obeying the warning was the only safety from the judgment. In providing a way of escape for all who submitted and acted on it, for all who chose to act upon the warning, God's mercy was seen in the midst of judgment.