Exodus 9:24
So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.
There was hail mingled with fire, with thunder and lightning and fire running along the ground, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. Its time was told beforehand and it came the next day exactly as threatened, as foretold, so that it could not be said to have happened by chance. It smote throughout all Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast, and every herb of the field, and broke every tree, shattering trees and destroying every herb. Death and desolation followed in the track of the destroying angel, in the first taking of Egyptian life.
The flax and the barley were smitten, because the barley was in the ear and the flax was bolled, but the wheat and the rye were not smitten because they were not grown up. Only in the land of Goshen, where Israel was, there was no hail; Goshen alone was spared. Warning had been given to bring servants and cattle and all that was in the field into houses and barns.
That warning tested exalted Egyptian pride and divided those who feared the word of the Lord and made servants and cattle flee into houses and gathered them into barns from those who disbelieved and, hardened like Pharaoh, left them in the field. It showed the mercy of God in providing a way of escape for all who would act upon warning in the midst of judgment, and revealed whose hearts were really affected by His dealings with His despised people. The storm formed part of a judgment that displayed God's power over the elements, demonstrating that the whole earth is under the command of the God of the Hebrews and that thunder, hail, and storm obey His voice, and that even the elements obey Him.
The sparing of Goshen fulfills that His people dwell in a peaceful habitation and sure dwellings and quiet resting-places when it hails on the forest and the city is laid low. It proves that the only true safety of nations and individuals is obedience to the voice of God and standing on the side of truth and righteousness. Its severity humbled proud Pharaoh to confess that he had sinned and that the Lord is righteous while he and his people are wicked, and to beg for entreaty and intercession that the mighty thunderings and lightning and hail might stop, with promise to let Israel go.
Moses answered that he would go out of the city and spread abroad his hands unto the Lord outside the city until thunder and hail and rain ceased, that Pharaoh might know the earth is the Lord's, while declaring that Pharaoh and his servants would not yet fear God. Pharaoh's confession came only from terror and anguish with no change of mind or heart. After the thunder and hail and rain ceased through Moses' intercession he returned to stubbornness and rebellion and refused to let Israel go, his continual opposition hardening him until his whole being rose in rebellion against divine power.