The Egyptians destroyed the lives of the Israelites. Now, in the sixth plague, the destruction comes back on themselves.

Purity was important to the Egyptians. Those who could had themselves embalmed so that the body remained intact. In Exodus 9:11 we read something important: “And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils, for the boils came upon the magicians and upon all the Egyptians.”

What a fiasco. The Egyptian ceremonies are cancelled. This is also where the magicians are mentioned the last time. The god of medicine, Imhotep, was powerless.

Six times Pharaoh hardened his own heart and resisted the signs of God. Now he is reaping what he has sown. From now on he himself is affected.