PREPARE YOUR HEART FOR THE SERMON BY LOOKING THROUGH THESE SUGGESTIONS THAT WILL ASSIST YOU IN MAKING THE MOST OF OUR TIME TOGETHER HEARING GOD'S WORD.

You will find suggestions for thinking more critically through the passage, meditating more intently on the text, and prayerfully seeking wisdom to deepen your understanding of the passage to be preached this Sunday.

Carefully Think

• Read chapters 7 and 8 to refresh in your mind what has been taking place in Exodus leading up to Chapter 9.

• In verse 4, God makes a distinction between Israel and Egypt. In what other plagues has God made a distinction?

• What spiritual effects and implications would the death of livestock have for the Egyptians?

• What physical impact would the death of livestock have on the Egyptians?

• The plague of boils comes on man and beast and is the first plague to physically attack humans. What particular group of people are mentioned as being affected by the boils and why do you think they are mentioned?

• What other individuals besides Pharaoh harden their hearts in verse 34?

Prayerfully Meditate

• How does the distinction between Egypt and Israel inform or emphasize the supernatural nature of the plagues?

• What is highlighted in verse 5 by the Lord setting a definite time for the coming plague?

• In verses 18-21 the Lord offers an advance warning of the plague of hail to which some listen, but others ignore in unbelief. Are there warnings that God has extended to you in his word that you ignore in unbelief? Explain.

• What can we learn from Pharaoh’s professed repentance and return to hardening his heart in vs 27-35?