🌩️ Exodus Lesson 4: Hail, Locusts, and Darkness | Sabbath School Study (July 24, 2025)

🌩️ Exodus Lesson 4: Hail, Locusts, and Darkness | Sabbath School Study (July 24, 2025)

🖼️ AI-generated image: symbolic representation of the seventh, eighth, and ninth plagues in Exodus

Date: Thursday, July 24, 2025

Weekly Theme: Lesson 4 — The Plagues

🌪️ Hail, Locusts, and Darkness

As the seventh, eighth, and ninth plagues fell upon Egypt, we see Yahweh directly confronting some of Egypt’s most revered deities. These were not random events, but targeted judgments—each one exposing the powerlessness of false gods and the ultimate authority of the Creator.

📖 Exodus 9:23 (KJBPNV)

“‭And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and Yahweh sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and Yahweh rained hail upon the land of Egypt.”

☁️ The hailstorm challenged Nut, the Egyptian sky goddess, and Osiris, god of crops. The fire that mingled with the hail devastated Egypt’s food sources and declared Yahweh’s dominion over weather, life, and death.

What’s remarkable here is that Yahweh gave the Egyptians a chance to believe His word. Those who took shelter were spared. It was an open test of faith—and some passed. God’s mercy was present, even in judgment.

🌾 Then came the eighth plague: locusts. These voracious insects consumed what was left after the hail. Egypt’s agricultural gods, including Serapis and Seth, were helpless. Not even Pharaoh’s bargaining attempts could prevent the devastation.

🌑 The ninth plague—darkness—struck at Egypt’s core. Ra, the sun god and symbol of divine authority, was silenced. For three days, thick darkness covered the land—but not in Goshen, where the children of Israel dwelled. Yahweh was again making a clear separation between His people and Egypt.

📖 Exodus 10:7 (KJBPNV)

“‭And Pharaoh’s servants said to him, How long shall this man be a snare to us? let the men go, that they may serve Yahweh their God: know you not yet that Egypt is destroyed?”

Even Pharaoh’s advisors had seen enough. But Pharaoh—driven by pride—continued to resist. This story perfectly illustrates the warning of Scripture:

📖 Proverbs 16:8 (KJBPNV)

“‭Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.”

💔 Egypt’s economy, power, and religion were shattered, but Pharaoh clung to pride instead of righteousness. In contrast, Yahweh’s people were being prepared for freedom, not just from slavery—but from false worship.

💬 Call to Action (CTA):

🕊️ Have you seen God exposing false securities in your life? Like the Egyptians, we often cling to what is familiar, even if it fails us. This week, reflect on where your true trust lies—and ask Yahweh to be your only Source of light and life. 🌞

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📌 Note: All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Bible Proper Name Version (KJBPNV). Images are AI-generated unless otherwise stated.