But for this I have made you endure, so as to show you My power, and that My name be recounted throughout the land: And now, send and shelter all your livestock that you have in the field, all the men and animals.
Par’oh said to Moshe at the beginning of their story מי ה' – who is Hashem. He refused to recognize Hashem, and Moshe told him that he was only permitted to survive to show him the answer to his question. He would now recount His name throughout the land.
Through the story of Par’oh, Hashem’s name would be famous and everyone would know Him. The Ohr Hachaim quotes a story he heard about a great king who said, “If Moshiach comes to Klal Yisroel in my lifetime, I won’t make the same mistake as Par’oh. If he shows me a miracle, I will accept him and not refuse Hashem’s word.”
The Ohr Hachaim adds that this explains the next possuk too. The purpose of this plague was not to hurt the Mitzrim, to punish them, or to make them change their behavior. The purpose was just that everyone should know about Hashem’s strength. He warned them how to save their possessions, because the destruction of their possessions was not part of the plague.
All that was needed was that the plague of hail should make its point on the earth. As long as the plants were destroyed, the message would be sent to the Mitzrim and the world that Hashem is the strongest of all.
The possuk is still not completely explained. Why does the possuk start with the word וְעַתָּה – and now? They had another day until the plague began, why were they in a rush? Also, this possuk was geared to someone who didn’t exist. Someone who was scared of Hashem would bring their animals inside without this command. Someone who rebelled against Hashem and did not accept His words, would not listen or believe now either. What was the point of this command?
The Ohr Hacham explains that Chazal tell us אין ועתה אלא תשובה – the word וְעַתָּה always denotes Teshuva. Hashem was warning them to do Teshuva and then become of those who fear Hashem’s words.
Indeed, in the next possuk we find הַיָּרֵא אֶת דְּבַר ה' מֵּעַבְדֵי פַרְעֹה הֵּנִיס אֶת עֲבָדָיו וְאֶת מִקְנֵהוּ אֶל הַבָּתִים - Those who feared the word of Hashem among the servants of Paroh made their servants and livestock flee into the houses. There were people who began to fear Hashem, and they brought their animals inside. Only וַאֲשֶׁר לֹא שָׂם לִבּוֹ אֶל דְּבַר ה' וַיַּעֲזֹב אֶת עֲבָדָיו וְאֶת מִקְנֵהוּ בַּשָּׂדֶה - he who did not take Hashem's word to heart left his servants and livestock in the field. Some did not do Teshuva, and they were punished unnecessarily.
