Exodus 9:17

As yet exaltest thou thyself.

A self-exalted man

I. That a self-exalted man often treats with contempt the claims of duty.

II. That a self-exalted man often treats with contempt the people of God.

III. That a self-exalted man is often humiliated by the sad discipline of life. Self-conceit is self-destruction. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)

The plaque of hail threatened; or, attention to the word of God the condition of safety in the final judgment of life

I. That there is a great and awful judgment threatened upon man in the future. Time known only to God. Enough that fact is certain.

II. That there is a shelter provided from the final judgment of the future.

1. Divinely made known.

2. Mercifully sufficient.

3. Gratefully welcomed.

III. That only those who heed the warning of God, and avail themselves of the shelter provided, will be safe in the final judgment of life.

IV. That many, through unbelief, or through neglect of the word of God, will perish in the final judgment of life. Lessons:

1. Believe in the judgment to come.

2. Believe in the mercy of Christ.

3. Flee from the wrath to come. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)

Minding what God says

The text describes two classes, viz., those that feared the word of the Lord, and those that “set not their hearts “ to it. Here is a very distinct parable in history for our use and instruction. We may note--

I. The Divine warning.

1. It was “the word of Jehovah.” It was sent through a specially commissioned messenger.

2. It was sword of mercy. The Lord willeth not the death of a sinner.

3. It was a word of threatening. But the threat was only against those whose wilful disobedience would merit judgment.

II. The different ways in which it was regarded.

1. Wholesome fear. This fear was a fruit of faith. A feeble spark of faith, perhaps, but enough to stimulate action.

2. Careless neglect. Proverbs 14:16, gives well the contrast of the two classes. This “carnal security” a very common source of spiritual danger.

III. The definite application to ourselves. God has sent His word to us, full of mingled promises and warnings, declarations of mercy and judgment. Are we taking heed thereto? By startling events, by secret stirrings of conscience, by the Bible, by His special messengers, “the ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God,” God speaks. Do we listen? or do we, listless, if not openly scornful, let the utterance be to us as an idle tale? The gospel of Christ, as proclaimed to men, offers a refuge from God’s just wrath against sinful man. If we refuse, we shall be worthy of worse punishment than heathen who have never heard, and it shall be more tolerable for them in the day of judgment than for us. Before the hailstorm of judgment come, let us “set our heart to” the word of the Lord; so shall we be safe in the evil day. (W. Saumarez Smith, B. D.)