**The Plague of Livestock and the Boils: A Story of Judgment and Mercy**
The sun rose over the land of Egypt, casting its golden rays across the fertile fields and the bustling cities. Yet, beneath the surface of this vibrant land, a storm of divine judgment was brewing. Pharaoh, the proud ruler of Egypt, had hardened his heart against the Lord and His servant Moses. Despite the signs and wonders already displayed—the Nile turned to blood, the invasion of frogs, the swarms of gnats, and the relentless flies—Pharaoh refused to let the Israelites go. The Lord, in His infinite wisdom and justice, prepared to unleash the next act of His mighty hand.
Moses and Aaron stood before Pharaoh in the grand halls of his palace. The air was thick with tension, the weight of God’s presence palpable. Moses, his face resolute and his voice steady, delivered the message of the Lord: “This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may worship Me. If you refuse to let them go and continue to hold them back, the hand of the Lord will bring a terrible plague on your livestock in the field—on your horses, donkeys, camels, and on your cattle, sheep, and goats. But the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and that of Egypt. No animal belonging to the Israelites will die.’”
Pharaoh’s eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched. He had heard such warnings before, yet his heart remained as unyielding as stone. He dismissed Moses and Aaron with a wave of his hand, his pride refusing to bow to the God of slaves. But the Lord’s word would not return void.
The next morning, a cry rose from the fields of Egypt. The livestock—the lifeblood of the nation—began to fall. Horses that once galloped with strength now lay lifeless in the dust. Cattle that had grazed in the lush pastures collapsed, their eyes glazed in death. Donkeys and camels, essential for travel and trade, succumbed to the plague. The air was filled with the wails of farmers and herdsmen as they discovered their losses. The plague was swift and devastating, sparing none of the Egyptian livestock.
Yet, in the land of Goshen, where the Israelites dwelled, not a single animal perished. The flocks and herds of the Hebrews grazed peacefully, untouched by the hand of judgment. The distinction was clear: the Lord was making a separation between His people and the Egyptians, a sign of His covenant and His power.
Pharaoh, hearing of the devastation, sent messengers to investigate. They returned with grim news: the plague had struck every corner of Egypt, yet Goshen remained untouched. For a moment, Pharaoh’s heart wavered. He called for Moses and Aaron and demanded, “What is the meaning of this? Why does your God spare your livestock but destroy ours?”
Moses, standing tall before the king, replied, “The Lord has done this so that you may know there is no one like Him in all the earth. He is the Creator of all things, and His power is unmatched. Let His people go, Pharaoh, or His judgments will only grow more severe.”
But Pharaoh’s heart, though momentarily shaken, remained stubborn. He refused to relent, and the Lord prepared to strike again.
The following day, the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron: “Take handfuls of soot from a furnace and have Moses toss it into the air in the presence of Pharaoh. It will become fine dust over the whole land of Egypt, and festering boils will break out on people and animals throughout the land.”
Moses and Aaron obeyed. They went to the outskirts of the city, where the furnaces burned day and night, and gathered soot from the flames. Moses raised his hands to the heavens and cast the soot into the air. As it scattered, a fine dust settled over the land, carried by the wind to every corner of Egypt.
Soon, the people began to cry out in agony. Painful, festering boils broke out on their skin—on the faces of the young, the hands of the old, and the bodies of the strong. The Egyptians, known for their cleanliness and pride in their appearance, were now covered in sores. Even the magicians, who had once tried to replicate the Lord’s miracles, could not stand before Moses because of the boils that afflicted them.
Pharaoh himself was not spared. Boils erupted on his arms and legs, their fiery pain a constant reminder of his defiance. Yet, even in his suffering, his heart remained hardened. He refused to acknowledge the Lord’s power or relent in his oppression of the Israelites.
Moses and Aaron, though grieved by the suffering of the people, knew that the Lord’s judgments were just. They returned to Pharaoh, their faces marked with sorrow yet their resolve unshaken. “Pharaoh,” Moses said, “the Lord has shown His power and His justice. He has made a distinction between His people and yours. Yet, you refuse to humble yourself before Him. How long will you resist the Almighty?”
Pharaoh, his body wracked with pain, could only glare at Moses. “Leave me!” he shouted. “I will not listen to your God or to you!”
And so, Moses and Aaron departed, knowing that the Lord’s plan was unfolding according to His will. The plagues were not merely acts of punishment but also acts of revelation. Through them, the Lord was revealing His power, His holiness, and His desire for all to know Him.
As the sun set over Egypt, the land lay in turmoil. The cries of the afflicted echoed through the streets, and the stench of death hung heavy in the air. Yet, in Goshen, the Israelites remained untouched, a testament to the Lord’s faithfulness and His promise to deliver His people.
The story of the plagues was far from over, but one thing was certain: the Lord would not be mocked. His judgments were sure, His mercy was great, and His name would be glorified in all the earth.
