Pharaoh had already received more than enough signs that he needed to listen to God’s command. But God now gave Pharaoh an even clearer message about the meaning of judgment. In one day, all the livestock of the Egyptians died, but animals among the Israelites were not touched (4). This caused great economic damage to Egypt, and they were beginning to see that the wages of sin is death. But Pharaoh still hardened his heart.

The sixth plague afflicted the people of Egypt most personally, as festering boils broke out on them. The works of judgment through Moses and Aaron had now so far surpassed the works of the Egyptian magicians that they could no longer even stand before Moses (11).

The increasing severity of the plagues actually shows God’s patience. God’s judgment often does not come all at once, but with multiple smaller and then bigger warnings. Pharaoh was aware of everything that was happening, but still he hardened his heart (7). May God grant us an open heart and open spiritual eyes to see when God wants us to make a change. Then judgment will turn into blessing.
Application: Father, thank you for how you lead me to repentance, warning me about the effects of my sin. Help me to open my heart and eyes and see your way of repentance.
One Word: God is patiently leading to repentance