31 And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled.

32 But the wheat and the rie were not smitten: for they were not grown up.

Different crops grow at different seasons. The flax and the barley had already sprouted out of the earth and were developing their fruit, thus they were exposed to the elements and destroyed. But the wheat and the rye were still in the ground, which provided a sufficient barrier to keep the seeds alive and well. They would still be able to grow and be harvested.

What is the significance of this? Other scholars have pointed out that flax would have been used for the Egyptian manufacturing of linens, and the barley for the feeding of livestock and brewing of beer. In short, these crops were not essential for human life. The wheat and the rye, however, were a major food source, and necessary for survival. Thus, even in the midst of God’s curse, He had shown mercy. He had sent His hail at precisely the right time to hurt the Egyptian’s finances, but not their bellies. This is yet another example of God creating a wall between what was to be destroyed and what was to be preserved. It shows what careful control He has over the Earth and His power upon it.

God had shown terrific power to kill, but as of yet had not turned that power directly upon the Egyptians. He had destroyed their livestock, He had destroyed their crops, He had irritated and inconvenienced them, but the only loss of human life had been due to those who were so obstinate as to leave their servants in the field during the hailstorm. God was churning a menacing storm before the eyes of all the Egyptians. With every curse it grew nearer and nearer to lashing out against the lives of the people. How much longer could it be before God’s storm would fall upon Pharaoh’s people directly? Not much longer.