On the day following this warning by Mo'ses, he and Aa'ron stretched forth their hands toward the Heavens in prayer. Then Mo'ses raised up his staff, and from the Heavens there poured down upon the land the terrible wrath of an avenging God. The same Heavens which had sent a destroying flood upon the world in the time of No'ah, and had rained fire upon the wicked cities of Sod'om and Go-mor'rah, now poured out great streams of both upon the land of E'gypt. It was a terrific, awesome sight, with hail and water and fire all pouring forth from the clouds above.
The E'gyp-tians were especially terrified by the sight, for in that country rain was almost unknown, and what few thunderstorms there were seldom did harm. Fire was regarded as a god, and was worshiped in many heathen ways. The plague was miraculous in every respect, and called the E'gyp-tians to repentance with the voice of God,
This plague was especially harmful to the wealth and commerce of the country. The gardens which yielded vast supplies of fruits and flowers, and upon which the E'gyp-tians bestowed such great care, were swept into ruin. Dates, grapes, and pomegranates; olives, figs, and various kinds of melons,-all the pride and support of the land-were completely destroyed. The barley crop, which was now ready for harvest, and the fine fields of flax, were smitten and ruined. E'gypt's commerce in grains and flax, which was the principal source of her wealth, was now wrecked, and her manufacture of fine linens was stopped.
As floods of hail and fire and rain poured out upon the land, as thunder roared through the Heavens and lightning flashed a trail of death through the country, Pha'raoh was stricken with terror. He sent for Mo'ses and Aa'ron, and said to them: "I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked. Entreat the LORD, for it is enough, that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer." This was a noble confession and plea, if only it had been sincere. Had Pha'raoh spoken the truth in these words it would have meant that his pride, stubbornness, contempt for God were all gone. The wicked king, however, was more concerned with removing the calamities which his sins had brought upon the land than he was with the welfare of his soul, and with the pardon of his sins.
