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one。〃 Still the king was obstinate。
Moses was next directed to take ashes of the furnace； and 〃sprinkle it
toward heaven in the sight of Pharaoh。〃 This act was deeply significant。
Four hundred years before； God had shown to Abraham the future oppression of
His people； under the figure of a smoking furnace and a burning lamp。 He had
declared that He would visit judgments upon their oppressors； and would
bring forth the captives with great substance。 In Egypt； Israel had long
languished in the furnace of affliction。 This act of Moses was an assurance
to them that God was mindful of His covenant； and that the time for their
deliverance had come。
As the ashes were sprinkled toward heaven； the fine particles spread over
all the land of Egypt； and wherever they settled； produced boils 〃breaking
forth with blains upon man； and upon beast。〃 The priests and magicians had
hitherto encouraged Pharaoh in his stubbornness； but now a judgment had come
that reached even them。 Smitten with a loathsome and painful disease； their
vaunted power only making them contemptible； they were no longer able to
contend against the God of Israel。 The whole nation was made to see the
folly of trusting in the magicians； when they were not able to protect even
their own persons。
Still the heart of Pharaoh grew harder。 And now the Lord sent a message to
him； declaring； 〃I will at this time send all My plagues upon thy heart； and
upon thy servants； and upon thy people； that thou mayest know that there is
none like Me in all the earth。 。 。 。 And in very deed for this cause have I
raised thee up； for to show in thee My power。〃 Not that God had given him an
existence for this purpose； but His providence had overruled events to place
him upon the throne at the very time appointed for Israel's deliverance。
Though this haughty tyrant had by his
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crimes forfeited the mercy of God； yet his life had been preserved that
through his stubbornness the Lord might manifest His wonders in the land of
Egypt。 The disposing of events is of God's providence。 He could have placed
upon the throne a more merciful king； who would not have dared to withstand
the mighty manifestations of divine power。 But in that case the Lord's
purposes would not have been accomplished。 His people were permitted to
experience the grinding cruelty of the Egyptians； that they might not be
deceived concerning the debasing influence of idolatry。 In His dealing with
Pharaoh； the Lord manifested His hatred of idolatry and His determination to
punish cruelty and oppression。
God had declared concerning Pharaoh； 〃I will harden his heart； that he shall
not let the people go。〃 Exodus 4：21。 There was no exercise of supernatural
power to harden the heart of the king。 God gave to Pharaoh the most striking
evidence of divine power； but the monarch stubbornly refused to heed the
light。 Every display of infinite power rejected by him； rendered him the
more determined in his rebellion。 The seeds of rebellion that he sowed when
he rejected the first miracle； produced their harvest。 As he continued to
venture on in his own course； going from one degree of stubbornness to
another； his heart became more and more hardened； until he was called to
look upon the cold； dead faces of the first…born。
God speaks to men through His servants； giving cautions and warnings； and
rebuking sin。 He gives to each an opportunity to correct his errors before
they become fixed in the character； but if one refuses to be corrected；
divine power does not interpose to counteract the tendency of his own
action。 He finds it more easy to repeat the same course。 He is hardening the
heart against the influence of the Holy Spirit。 A further rejection of light
places him where a far stronger influence will be ineffectual to make an
abiding impression。
He who has once yielded to temptation will yield more readily the second
time。 Every repetition of the sin lessens his power of resistance； blinds
his eyes； and stifles conviction。 Every seed of indulgence sown will bear
fruit。 God works no miracle to prevent the harvest。 〃Whatsoever a man
soweth； that shall he also reap。〃 Galatians 6：7。 He who manifests an infidel
hardihood； a stolid indifference to divine truth； is but reaping the harvest
of
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that which he has himself sown。 It is thus that multitudes come to listen
with stoical indifference to the truths that once stirred their very souls。
They sowed neglect and resistance to the truth； and such is the harvest
which they reap。
Those who are quieting a guilty conscience with the thought that they can
change a course of evil when they choose； that they can trifle with the
invitations of mercy； and yet be again and again impressed； take this course
at their peril。 They think that after casting all their influence on the
side of the great rebel； in a moment of utmost extremity； when danger
compasses them about； they will change leaders。 But this is not so easily
done。 The experience； the education； the discipline of a life of sinful
indulgence； has so thoroughly molded the character that they cannot then
receive the image of Jesus。 Had no light shone upon their pathway； the case
would have been different。 Mercy might interpose； and give them an
opportunity to accept her overtures； but after light has been long rejected
and despised； it will be finally withdrawn。
A plague of hail was next threatened upon Pharaoh； with the warning； 〃Send
therefore now； and gather thy cattle； and all that thou hast in the field；
for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field； and shall
not be brought home； the hail shall come down upon them； and they shall
die。〃 Rain or hail was unusual in Egypt； and such a storm as was foretold
had never been witnessed。 The report spread rapidly； and all who believed
the word of the Lord gathered in their cattle； while those who despised the
warning left them in the field。 Thus in the midst of judgment the mercy of
God was displayed； the people were tested； and it was shown how many had
been led to fear God by the manifestation of His power。
The storm came as predictedthunder and hail； and fire mingled with it；
〃very grievous； such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt
since it became a nation。 And the hail smote throughout all the land of
Egypt all that was in the field； both man and beast； and the hail smote
every herb of the field； and brake every tree of the field。〃 Ruin and
desolation marked the path of the destroying angel。 The land of Goshen alone
was spared。 It was demonstrated to the Egyptians that the earth is under the
control of the living God； that the elements obey His voice； and that the
only safety is in obedience to Him。
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All Egypt trembled before the awful outpouring of divine judgment。 Pharaoh
hastily sent for the two brothers； and cried out； 〃I have sinned this time：
the Lord is righteous； and I and my people are wicked。 Entreat the Lord （for
it is enough） that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail； and I will
let you go； and ye shall stay no longer。〃 The answer was； 〃As soon as I