4. God’s First Nine Plagues Against Egypt
Text: Exodus 7:8-10:29
Key Verses: Exodus 7:16-17; 8:1,20; 9:1,16; 10:2
Outline: I. The Beginning of God’s Wonders Ex. 7:8-13
II. God Requires Our Worship Ex. 7:9-9:12
III. God Requires We Make His Name Known Ex. 9:13-10:29
Context/Discussion/Comments:
Many scholars have approached this section of Scripture in detail. I will take a simplified approach. I have put together a simple chart telling what is happening but the lessons and applications really come directly out of the key verses listed above.
| Plague | Announced Beforehand | Against | Duplicated by Egypt’s Magicians | Pharaoh’s Response | End Result |
| Aaron’s Rod becomes a snake; not a plague; Ex. 7:8-13 | No | Egypt’s magicians | Yes | His heart becomes harder. | Aaron’s rod ate the magician’s snakes. |
| Nile turns to blood and fish die; Ex. 7:14-24 | Yes | All of Egypt’s water supply. | Yes | His heart becomes hard. | Egyptians had to filter water or dig new wells. |
| Severe frog infestation; Ex. 8:1-15 | Yes | All of Egypt | Yes | Remove the frogs and Israel may worship. | Frogs died but Pharaoh refused to let Israel go. |
| Dust turns into gnats; Ex. 8:16-19 | No | All of Egypt | No | His heart was hardened and he refuse to listen. | Gnats die but Pharaoh remains stubborn. |
| Fly infestation; Ex. 8:20-32 | Yes | All of Egypt except Goshen | No | Go sacrifice in Egypt. | Moses refuses Pharaoh’s offer. |
| Livestock die; Ex. 9:1-7 | Yes | All of Egypt except Goshen | No | Israel cannot leave Egypt. | Egypt’s livestock dies and Israel’s lives. |
| Infestation of Boils on men & animals. Ex. 9:8-12 | No | Egyptians | No | Pharaoh’s heart is hardened by the Lord. | Magicians could not stand in Moses’ presence. |
| Hail storm; Ex.9:13-35 | Yes | All Egypt except Goshen | No | I have sinned. I will let you go | Pharaoh changes his mind and his heart is hardened. |
| Locust infestation; Ex.10:1-20 | Yes | All Egypt’s crops. | No | Realizes his sin but refuses to let Israel go. | His heart is further hardened. |
| Darkness; Ex. 10:21-29 | No | All Egypt except Goshen | No | Take your families, but not animals, and go worship. | Unwilling to let Israel go and threatens Moses’ life. |
Lessons/Applications:
We see God as:
1. Patient and merciful; giving all ample time to understand what is happening by whom so they may acknowledge and worship the true Almighty God.
2. Exercising progressive judgment over those who refuse God.
3. Allowing all to experience God’s power and sovereignty but only unbelievers will experience His full wrath.
4. A hardener of hearts ONLY because man refuses to accept/obey God’s Will. Man’s heart becomes hardened against God because he chooses to disobey God.
5. Judge over those who refuse to accept Him as Lord God and sovereign over all His creation.
The purpose of Exodus and the purpose of these plagues is to show Israel and Egypt the power and sovereignty of God. It is to show that the Lord’s Word is truth and that He keeps His promises. What God proclaims happens. Therefore we can believe with absolute certainty that:
A. Christ died for our sins.
B. We who trust Him in faith will live eternally, resurrected to live in fellowship with God.
C. Jesus is coming again as King of Kings.
D. GOD’S WORD is TRUTH!
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