Plague of Livestock, mixed media by Yvette Rock

Reflection by Don Schwager

In the fifth sign, the plague of the destruction of the Egyptians' cattle and other livestock, God again makes a distinction between those who serve him and those who serve idols, sparing the livestock of the Israelites.

Pharoah put a higher value on his livestock than on the Israelites whom he maltreated as slaves. Because of his stubborn pride and refusal to serve God, he is now dispossessed of his cattle and livestock. This plague is more severe than the previous plagues because the loss of livestock threatens the livelihood of the Egyptians. 

Jesus issues a similar warning to those who put their trust in possessions rather than in God. In the parable of the rich fool he says: "`Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." (Luke 11:20-21)

"Lord Jesus, you are my treasure and there is nothing more that I desire besides you. Take possession of my heart, that I may find joy, contentment, and refuge in you alone." 

Exodus 9

1 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go in to Pharaoh, and say to him, `Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, "Let my people go, that they may serve me. 2 For if you refuse to let them go and still hold them, 3 behold, the hand of the LORD will fall with a very severe plague upon your cattle which are in the field, the horses, the asses, the camels, the herds, and the flocks. 4 But the LORD will make a distinction between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt, so that nothing shall die of all that belongs to the people of Israel."'" 5 And the LORD set a time, saying, "Tomorrow the LORD will do this thing in the land." 

6 And on the morrow the LORD did this thing; all the cattle of the Egyptians died, but of the cattle of the people of Israel not one died. 

7 And Pharaoh sent, and behold, not one of the cattle of the Israelites was dead. But the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.