January 15, 2025
What was the point of the plagues in the Bible?
Exodus 7-9
Brandon Salmon
Big Book Idea
God redeems His people, sets them apart, and reveals Himself.
Key Verse | Exodus 7:13
Still Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said.
Exodus 7-9
Moses and Aaron Before Pharaoh
1 And the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. 2 You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of his land. 3 But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, 4 Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. 5 The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them.” 6 Moses and Aaron did so; they did just as the LORD commanded them. 7 Now Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh.
8 Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 9 “When Pharaoh says to you, ‘Prove yourselves by working a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.’” 10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD commanded. Aaron cast down his staff before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. 11 Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts. 12 For each man cast down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs. 13 Still Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said.
The First Plague: Water Turned to Blood
14 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Pharaoh's heart is hardened; he refuses to let the people go. 15 Go to Pharaoh in the morning, as he is going out to the water. Stand on the bank of the Nile to meet him, and take in your hand the staff that turned into a serpent. 16 And you shall say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, sent me to you, saying, “Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness.” But so far, you have not obeyed. 17 Thus says the LORD, “By this you shall know that I am the LORD: behold, with the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water that is in the Nile, and it shall turn into blood. 18 The fish in the Nile shall die, and the Nile will stink, and the Egyptians will grow weary of drinking water from the Nile.”’” 19 And the LORD said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt, over their rivers, their canals, and their ponds, and all their pools of water, so that they may become blood, and there shall be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, even in vessels of wood and in vessels of stone.’”
20 Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded. In the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants he lifted up the staff and struck the water in the Nile, and all the water in the Nile turned into blood. 21 And the fish in the Nile died, and the Nile stank, so that the Egyptians could not drink water from the Nile. There was blood throughout all the land of Egypt. 22 But the magicians of Egypt did the same by their secret arts. So Pharaoh's heart remained hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said. 23 Pharaoh turned and went into his house, and he did not take even this to heart. 24 And all the Egyptians dug along the Nile for water to drink, for they could not drink the water of the Nile.
25 Seven full days passed after the LORD had struck the Nile.
The Second Plague: Frogs
1 1 8:1 Ch 7:26 in Hebrew Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. 2 But if you refuse to let them go, behold, I will plague all your country with frogs. 3 The Nile shall swarm with frogs that shall come up into your house and into your bedroom and on your bed and into the houses of your servants and your people, 2 8:3 Or among your people and into your ovens and your kneading bowls. 4 The frogs shall come up on you and on your people and on all your servants.”’” 5 3 8:5 Ch 8:1 in Hebrew And the LORD said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your hand with your staff over the rivers, over the canals and over the pools, and make frogs come up on the land of Egypt!’” 6 So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt. 7 But the magicians did the same by their secret arts and made frogs come up on the land of Egypt.
8 Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and said, “Plead with the LORD to take away the frogs from me and from my people, and I will let the people go to sacrifice to the LORD.” 9 Moses said to Pharaoh, “Be pleased to command me when I am to plead for you and for your servants and for your people, that the frogs be cut off from you and your houses and be left only in the Nile.” 10 And he said, “Tomorrow.” Moses said, “Be it as you say, so that you may know that there is no one like the LORD our God. 11 The frogs shall go away from you and your houses and your servants and your people. They shall be left only in the Nile.” 12 So Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh, and Moses cried to the LORD about the frogs, as he had agreed with Pharaoh. 4 8:12 Or which he had brought upon Pharaoh 13 And the LORD did according to the word of Moses. The frogs died out in the houses, the courtyards, and the fields. 14 And they gathered them together in heaps, and the land stank. 15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart and would not listen to them, as the LORD had said.
The Third Plague: Gnats
16 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, so that it may become gnats in all the land of Egypt.’” 17 And they did so. Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the earth, and there were gnats on man and beast. All the dust of the earth became gnats in all the land of Egypt. 18 The magicians tried by their secret arts to produce gnats, but they could not. So there were gnats on man and beast. 19 Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said.
The Fourth Plague: Flies
20 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Rise up early in the morning and present yourself to Pharaoh, as he goes out to the water, and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. 21 Or else, if you will not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and your servants and your people, and into your houses. And the houses of the Egyptians shall be filled with swarms of flies, and also the ground on which they stand. 22 But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where my people dwell, so that no swarms of flies shall be there, that you may know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth. 5 8:22 Or that I the LORD am in the land 23 Thus I will put a division 6 8:23 Septuagint, Vulgate; Hebrew set redemption between my people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall happen.”’” 24 And the LORD did so. There came great swarms of flies into the house of Pharaoh and into his servants' houses. Throughout all the land of Egypt the land was ruined by the swarms of flies.
25 Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and said, “Go, sacrifice to your God within the land.” 26 But Moses said, “It would not be right to do so, for the offerings we shall sacrifice to the LORD our God are an abomination to the Egyptians. If we sacrifice offerings abominable to the Egyptians before their eyes, will they not stone us? 27 We must go three days' journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the LORD our God as he tells us.” 28 So Pharaoh said, “I will let you go to sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only you must not go very far away. Plead for me.” 29 Then Moses said, “Behold, I am going out from you and I will plead with the LORD that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, tomorrow. Only let not Pharaoh cheat again by not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD.” 30 So Moses went out from Pharaoh and prayed to the LORD. 31 And the LORD did as Moses asked, and removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; not one remained. 32 But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and did not let the people go.
The Fifth Plague: Egyptian Livestock Die
1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. 2 For if you refuse to let them go and still hold them, 3 behold, the hand of the LORD will fall with a very severe plague upon your livestock that are in the field, the horses, the donkeys, the camels, the herds, and the flocks. 4 But the LORD will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that nothing of all that belongs to the people of Israel shall die.”’” 5 And the LORD set a time, saying, “Tomorrow the LORD will do this thing in the land.” 6 And the next day the LORD did this thing. All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one of the livestock of the people of Israel died. 7 And Pharaoh sent, and behold, not one of the livestock of Israel was dead. But the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.
The Sixth Plague: Boils
8 And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Take handfuls of soot from the kiln, and let Moses throw them in the air in the sight of Pharaoh. 9 It shall become fine dust over all the land of Egypt, and become boils breaking out in sores on man and beast throughout all the land of Egypt.” 10 So they took soot from the kiln and stood before Pharaoh. And Moses threw it in the air, and it became boils breaking out in sores on man and beast. 11 And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils, for the boils came upon the magicians and upon all the Egyptians. 12 But the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as the LORD had spoken to Moses.
The Seventh Plague: Hail
13 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Rise up early in the morning and present yourself before Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. 14 For this time I will send all my plagues on you yourself, 7 9:14 Hebrew on your heart and on your servants and your people, so that you may know that there is none like me in all the earth. 15 For by now I could have put out my hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, and you would have been cut off from the earth. 16 But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth. 17 You are still exalting yourself against my people and will not let them go. 18 Behold, about this time tomorrow I will cause very heavy hail to fall, such as never has been in Egypt from the day it was founded until now. 19 Now therefore send, get your livestock and all that you have in the field into safe shelter, for every man and beast that is in the field and is not brought home will die when the hail falls on them.”’” 20 Then whoever feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh hurried his slaves and his livestock into the houses, 21 but whoever did not pay attention to the word of the LORD left his slaves and his livestock in the field.
22 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, so that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, on man and beast and every plant of the field, in the land of Egypt.” 23 Then Moses stretched out his staff toward heaven, and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and fire ran down to the earth. And the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt. 24 There was hail and fire flashing continually in the midst of the hail, very heavy hail, such as had never been in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. 25 The hail struck down everything that was in the field in all the land of Egypt, both man and beast. And the hail struck down every plant of the field and broke every tree of the field. 26 Only in the land of Goshen, where the people of Israel were, was there no hail.
27 Then Pharaoh sent and called Moses and Aaron and said to them, “This time I have sinned; the LORD is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong. 28 Plead with the LORD, for there has been enough of God's thunder and hail. I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer.” 29 Moses said to him, “As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will stretch out my hands to the LORD. The thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, so that you may know that the earth is the LORD's. 30 But as for you and your servants, I know that you do not yet fear the LORD God.” 31 (The flax and the barley were struck down, for the barley was in the ear and the flax was in bud. 32 But the wheat and the emmer 8 9:32 A type of wheat were not struck down, for they are late in coming up.) 33 So Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh and stretched out his hands to the LORD, and the thunder and the hail ceased, and the rain no longer poured upon the earth. 34 But when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunder had ceased, he sinned yet again and hardened his heart, he and his servants. 35 So the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people of Israel go, just as the LORD had spoken through Moses.
Table of Contents
Introduction to Exodus
Timeline
Author and Date
Exodus (meaning exit) is best understood to have been written primarily by Moses, like the rest of the Pentateuch, though some details (such as the narrative of his death in Deuteronomy 34) were clearly added at a later time. It also appears that some language and references were updated for later readers. There is no consensus among scholars as to the date when the events of the exodus took place. A common view is that the exodus occurred in c. 1446 B.C. This is based on the calculation of 480 years from Israel’s departure from Egypt to the fourth year of Solomon’s reign (c. 966 B.C.; see 1 Kings 6:1). However, because Exodus 1:11 depicts Israel working on a city called Raamses, some scholars believe that this would suggest that the exodus occurred during the reign of Raamses II in Egypt (c. 1279–1213 B.C.), possibly around 1260 B.C. (see note on 1 Kings 6:1).
Theme
The overarching theme of Exodus is the fulfillment of God’s promises to the patriarchs. The success of the exodus must be credited to the power and purpose of God, who remembers his promises, punishes sin, and forgives the repentant. The book highlights Moses’ faithfulness and prayerfulness.
Key Themes
- Covenant promises. The events and instructions in Exodus are described as the Lord remembering his covenant promises to Abraham (2:24; 3:6, 14–17; 6:2–8). The promises extend to both Abraham’s descendants and all the nations of the world (Gen. 12:1–3). They include land (which Israel will inhabit), numerous offspring (which will secure their ongoing identity), and blessing (God cares for them and other nations). The fulfillment of these promises is rooted in Israel’s covenant relationship with the Lord (Gen. 17:7–8).
- Covenant mediator. Moses mediates between the Lord and his people. Through Moses the Lord reveals his purposes to Israel and sustains the covenant relationship.
- Covenant presence. God’s presence with his people is highlighted throughout the book of Exodus.
Outline
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Exodus of Israel from Egypt (1:1–18:27)
- Setting: Israel in Egypt (1:1–2:25)
- Call of Moses (3:1–4:31)
- Moses and Aaron: initial request (5:1–7:7)
- Plagues and exodus (7:8–15:21)
- Journey (15:22–18:27)
- Covenant at Sinai (19:1–40:38)
- Setting: Sinai (19:1–25)
- Covenant words and rules (20:1–23:33)
- Covenant confirmed (24:1–18)
- Instructions for the tabernacle (25:1–31:17)
- Moses receives the tablets (31:18)
- Covenant breach, intercession, and renewal (32:1–34:35)
- Tabernacle: preparation for the presence (35:1–40:38)
The Journey to Mount Sinai
1446 B.C.
Scholars disagree about the precise route of the exodus, but most agree that Mount Sinai is the site that today is called Jebel Musa (“Mountain of Moses”).
Fact: As numerous as the stars
As numerous as the stars. As the book of Exodus begins, some 350 years have passed since the end of Genesis. The 70 Israelites who went to Egypt have grown into a great multitude. This fulfills God’s promise to multiply Abraham’s descendants and to make them a blessing to all the nations of the world (Gen. 12:1–3; 15:5).
Fact: On eagles’ wings
On eagles’ wings. The kind of eagle that the author of Exodus probably had in mind had a wingspan of 8 to 10 feet (2–3 m), making it a fitting symbol of the Lord’s ability to rescue his people from their life of slavery in Egypt.
Fact: God’s glory fills the tabernacle
Israel has witnessed some incredible events, such as the 10 plagues and the parting of the Sea. Now, at the end of Exodus, God’s glory fills the tabernacle and he will lead them to the Promised Land.
Fact: Lord of all creation
Lord of all creation. Each of the 10 plagues showed clearly that the God of Israel was infinitely more powerful than the false gods of the Egyptians.
Fact: River turned to blood
River turned to blood. Egypt’s most important gods were associated with the Nile River. Turning the Nile to blood proved that the God of Israel had supreme control of the rivers.
Fact: Frogs
Frogs. The Egyptians worshiped the god Hekt, who was portrayed as having the head of a frog.
Fact: Death of livestock
Death of livestock. A number of the Egyptian gods were portrayed as having the head of an animal: Apis and Mnevis (bulls) and Khnum (a ram). Isis was depicted with cow horns on her head.
The Setting of Leviticus
c. 1446 B.C.
The book of Exodus finishes with Moses and Israel having constructed and assembled the tabernacle at the base of Mount Sinai. The book of Leviticus primarily records the instructions the Lord gives to Moses from the tent of meeting, but also includes narratives of a few events related to the tabernacle. (Regarding the date of the exodus, see Introduction to Exodus, and note on 1 Kings 6:1.)
The Battle between Yahweh and the Rulers of Egypt
Exodus tells about the plagues God brings about as he frees his people from Egypt. The plagues affect areas of life supposedly protected by Egypt’s gods. Thus, they show God’s power over the gods of the world’s mightiest nation.
| Type of Plague | Reference | Warning? | Time of Warning | Instruction | Agent | Staff? | Pharaoh promises to let people go? | Pharaoh’s heart hardened? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Cycle | 1. Nile to blood | 7:14–25 | Yes | In the morning | Go to Pharaoh; Stand | Aaron | Yes | — | Yes |
| 2. Frogs from the Nile | 8:1–15 | Yes | — | Go in to Pharaoh | Aaron | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 3. Dust to gnats | 8:16–19 | — | — | — | Aaron | Yes | — | Yes | |
| 2nd Cycle | 4. Flies | 8:20–32 | Yes | Early in the morning | Present yourself to Pharaoh | God | — | Yes | Yes |
| 5. Egyptian livestock die | 9:1–7 | Yes | — | Go in to Pharaoh | God | — | — | Yes | |
| 6. Boils | 9:8–12 | — | — | — | Moses | — | — | Yes | |
| 3rd Cycle | 7. Hail | 9:13–35 | Yes | Early in the morning | Present yourself before Pharaoh | Moses | — | Yes | Yes |
| 8. Locusts | 10:1–20 | Yes | — | Go in to Pharaoh | Moses | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 9. Darkness | 10:21–29 | — | — | — | Moses | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 10. Death of firstborn | 11:1–10; 12:29–32 | Yes | — | — | God | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Parallels between Exodus and Numbers
| Ex. 18:1 | Advice from Moses’ father-in-law | Advice from Moses’ father-in-law | Num. 10:29 |
| Ex. 15:22 | Three-day journey to Sinai | Three-day journey from Sinai | Num. 10:33 |
| Ex. 15:22–26 | Complaint about water | Unspecified complaint | Num. 11:1–3 |
| Exodus 16 | Manna and quail | Manna and quail | Num. 11:4–15, 31–35 |
| Exodus 18 | Leaders appointed to assist Moses | Leaders appointed to assist Moses | Num. 11:16–30 |
| Ex. 15:20–21 | Miriam’s song of praise | Miriam and Aaron rebel | Numbers 12 |
| Ex. 17:8–16 | Israel defeats Amalek | Israel defeated by Amalek | Num. 14:39–45 |
| Ex. 17:1–7 | Water from rock | Water from rock | Num. 20:1–13 |
| Ex. 32:6 | People sacrifice to other gods | People sacrifice to other gods | Num. 25:2 |
| Ex. 32:27 | Killing of apostates demanded | Killing of apostates demanded | Num. 25:5 |
| Ex. 32:28–29 | Levites’ status enhanced | Levites’ (Phinehas’s) status enhanced | Num. 25:6–13 |
| Ex. 32:35 | Plague on the people | Plague on the people | Num. 25:9 |
5:1–7:7 Moses and Aaron: Initial Request. This section describes Moses’ and Aaron’s initial audience and request before Pharaoh (5:1–21) and the Lord’s promises and encouragement in light of Pharaoh’s response (5:22–6:9; 7:1–7). It also includes a genealogy of Moses and Aaron (6:10–30).
Ex. 7:9 The staff signifies that God is the one working the signs through Moses and Aaron (see 4:1–17). See chart.
The Battle between Yahweh and the Rulers of Egypt
Exodus tells about the plagues God brings about as he frees his people from Egypt. The plagues affect areas of life supposedly protected by Egypt’s gods. Thus, they show God’s power over the gods of the world’s mightiest nation.
| Type of Plague | Reference | Warning? | Time of Warning | Instruction | Agent | Staff? | Pharaoh promises to let people go? | Pharaoh’s heart hardened? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Cycle | 1. Nile to blood | 7:14–25 | Yes | In the morning | Go to Pharaoh; Stand | Aaron | Yes | — | Yes |
| 2. Frogs from the Nile | 8:1–15 | Yes | — | Go in to Pharaoh | Aaron | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 3. Dust to gnats | 8:16–19 | — | — | — | Aaron | Yes | — | Yes | |
| 2nd Cycle | 4. Flies | 8:20–32 | Yes | Early in the morning | Present yourself to Pharaoh | God | — | Yes | Yes |
| 5. Egyptian livestock die | 9:1–7 | Yes | — | Go in to Pharaoh | God | — | — | Yes | |
| 6. Boils | 9:8–12 | — | — | — | Moses | — | — | Yes | |
| 3rd Cycle | 7. Hail | 9:13–35 | Yes | Early in the morning | Present yourself before Pharaoh | Moses | — | Yes | Yes |
| 8. Locusts | 10:1–20 | Yes | — | Go in to Pharaoh | Moses | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 9. Darkness | 10:21–29 | — | — | — | Moses | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 10. Death of firstborn | 11:1–10; 12:29–32 | Yes | — | — | God | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Ex. 7:11–12 This is the first of three times where the magicians of Egypt see the sign that Aaron performs and then do the same by their secret arts (also v. 22; 8:7). “Magician” likely refers to men who saw themselves as using their magic arts to serve Egypt’s gods but who also were considered teachers of wisdom. Exodus does not provide any further explanation of how the magicians performed these signs. Although the magicians were able to perform each sign, they did not control the situation completely, as when Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs.
Ex. 7:13 While the recurring references to the hardness of Pharaoh’s heart show that the Lord is sovereign over the events (see 4:21; 7:3), they also show that Pharaoh is responsible for his own actions (see also 8:15, 32). See also Ps. 95:8; Heb. 3:7–4:13.
Ex. 7:14 Then the LORD said to Moses. This phrase introduces each plague (see 8:1, 16, 20; 9:1, 8, 13; 10:1, 21; 11:1). The events are governed by the word of the Lord spoken to Moses. Pharaoh’s heart is hardened. Even before the first plague, the Lord had said he would harden Pharaoh’s heart (4:21; 7:3). Pharaoh showed the state of his heart by refusing to listen (7:13).
Fact: River turned to blood
River turned to blood. Egypt’s most important gods were associated with the Nile River. Turning the Nile to blood proved that the God of Israel had supreme control of the rivers.
Ex. 7:16 The LORD, the God of the Hebrews. To the king of a powerful nation like Egypt, the Lord’s identification with an enslaved people would seem to indicate that he had no power or authority. However, the Lord will reveal otherwise.
Ex. 7:19 even in vessels of wood and . . . stone. The extent of the first plague shows that it is not the result of natural causes.
Ex. 7:24–25 The description of the Egyptian people digging for water (v. 24) and the time frame of seven full days (v. 25) indicate that the magicians could not reverse the effects of the plague or cleanse the Nile.
Ex. 8:3–4 The account emphasizes that the effects will extend beyond the water of the Nile.
Ex. 8:8 Pharaoh told Moses and Aaron to plead with the LORD to take away the frogs. Pharaoh knows the magicians of Egypt cannot do this. Even after this demonstration of God’s power, Pharaoh thinks it is up to him whether to keep Israel or to let the people go.
Ex. 8:14–15 Even when the Lord removes the frogs as Pharaoh asks, Pharaoh still refuses to obey.
Ex. 8:15 As the LORD had said (see 7:13, 22; 8:19; also 9:12, 35) further underscores that God controls the events.
Ex. 8:18–19 Some of Pharaoh’s servants (see also 10:7) recognize that the God of Moses and Aaron has power over Egypt. Pharaoh’s persistent defiance is harming his own people.
Ex. 8:20–21 In his message to Pharaoh the Lord refers to Israel as my people (v. 20; see 3:7) and to Egypt as your people (8:21). God will treat the two groups differently in the fourth plague.
Ex. 8:22 The land of Goshen (perhaps the eastern delta in Egypt) was originally given to Jacob and his family (Gen. 47:4–6). that you may know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth. The Lord states repeatedly that the purpose of the plagues is that Pharaoh and the Egyptians would know who the Lord is (see note on Ex. 5:2).
Ex. 8:28 Even as he asks for Moses to intercede for him, Pharaoh tries to preserve some appearance of power by setting the conditions under which he would let Israel go (only you must not go very far away).
Ex. 9:1 the God of the Hebrews. Compare 3:18; 7:16. After the fourth plague (8:20–32), Pharaoh should begin to understand that the Lord favors Israel. This will be seen in the fifth plague (9:1–7) as well.
Ex. 9:8 Here the Lord commands Moses to bring about the sign. Moses is maturing in his leadership role.
Ex. 9:9 The boils of the sixth plague are the first plague to affect the Egyptians physically. The plagues continue to grow both in what they show of the Lord’s power and in their direct effect on the lives of Pharaoh and his people.
Ex. 9:14 this time I will send all my plagues on you yourself. Literally (see ESV footnote), “this time I will send all my plagues on your heart” (that is, on Pharaoh’s hard heart).
Ex. 9:14–16 Although Pharaoh considered himself a representative of divine power, the plagues have revealed that there is no one like the Lord in all the earth (see v. 29). It was only by God’s mercy that Egypt had not yet been destroyed from the earth. In God’s plan, Pharaoh’s main purpose was to show the Lord’s power, so that the Lord’s name would be proclaimed in all the earth.
Ex. 9:18–21 Explaining how to find safe shelter from the hail was a test to indicate who had taken the plagues to heart and now feared the word of the LORD. The reference to those who did not pay attention to the word of the LORD again focuses on the hearts of Pharaoh and his servants (see v. 14). The Hebrew phrase is literally, “whoever did not set his heart to the word of the Lord.”
Ex. 9:27 This time I have sinned. Even though he admits guilt for the first time, Pharaoh is still wrong: he has sinned in response to each plague, not just “this time.”
Ex. 9:31–32 The explanation about Egypt’s crops indicates that Pharaoh took comfort from what remained in his land rather than acknowledging the destruction that had already come.
Ex. 9:34 he . . . hardened his heart, he and his servants. Pharaoh’s resistance to the Lord encourages his servants to adopt the same attitude.
Ex. 9:13–35 The Lord explains to Pharaoh the power and purposes of the plagues (vv. 14–17). It is the first time he offers Pharaoh a way to avoid the effects of a plague (vv. 18–19).
S4:013 Exodus 7-9
Listen NowDive Deeper | Exodus 7-9
"Prove yourselves by working a miracle" (Exodus 7:9), Pharaoh said to Moses and his brother Aaron. This simple statement set the stage for the ten plagues that would devastate Egypt and its people and result in Pharaoh's downfall. Aaron threw down his staff, which God turned into a serpent. Pharaoh's stubbornness began at this stage, and history would be forever changed.
In ancient history, the Egyptians viewed pharaohs as divine, and any God worshiped by the Israelites was meaningless to the Egyptians (Exodus 5:2). Because of this, Moses asking Pharaoh to free the Israelite slaves would not be taken seriously. The relatively simple act of turning a staff into a snake was not going to change Pharaoh's mind, which God already knew.
These three chapters contain the first seven plagues: water turning to blood, frogs, gnats, flies, death of livestock, skin boils, and hail. Throughout all ten plagues, one theme remains consistent: "Still Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them . . . ." (Exodus 7:13)
As the living embodiment of a false idol ruling a nation, Pharaoh was not going to easily relinquish his power. The plagues were sent to demonstrate the true power of our God. They even showed God's divine grace, as the captive Israelites were frequently unaffected by the plagues (Exodus 9:26). The plagues would also physically weaken Egypt, allowing the Israelites an easier eventual exile.
During these first seven plagues and leading up to the parting of the Red Sea, the Israelites experienced waves of trust in God and Moses, mixed with moments of doubt and resistance. Does that sound familiar? After rivers of blood, mass famine, and hailstorms, the Israelites ultimately trusted in the Lord and followed Moses.
We may sometimes have devastating hailstorms (hello, Texas!) and mosquitoes so bad they seem like a plague. In your life, you may face stress, the death of loved ones, job loss, miscarriages, and even the frustration of someone cutting you off on the way to church. It's important to remember that the world isn't perfect, but God is, and He will be there to guide and support you.
This month's memory verse
"The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, 'The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.'"
– Exodus 34:6
Discussion Questions
1. In what part of your life do you currently show a stubbornness and resistance to God? Think of areas in which your heart may be hardened and resistant to a God-honoring change.
2. What circumstances have you faced recently in which you didn't fully trust in the Lord's provision? What would you do differently now?
3. What was a trial you've been through that you can thank God for providing you with a way through it?