Exodus Chapters 7-11

INTRODUCTION:

Today, we continue our journey through the Book of Exodus and it is going to be a journey to say the least!  While we won't be able to cover every verse, today, in the next several chapters I want to hone in on God’s power and sovereignty over earthly rulers and natural forces, recognizing His authority and trusting in His power to overcome obstacles in our own lives.

Today we will cover the main aspects of chapters 7 to 11. The ten plagues of Exodus form one of the most dramatic and theologically rich narratives in the Bible. The plagues serve as both acts of judgment and redemption, showcasing the sovereignty of God as He moves to deliver His people from slavery in Egypt. Each plague targeted key aspects of Egyptian life, challenging their multitude of gods and dismantling the power structures that upheld Pharaoh's tyranny.

We will see that the plagues were purposeful and progressive, escalating in severity to demonstrate God's unmatched authority over nature, human institutions, and even life itself. They also revealed the consequences of hardened hearts, as Pharaoh's persistent defiance led to widespread suffering in Egypt. Through these events, we will see God highlighting the distinction between the Israelites and the Egyptians, foreshadowing His covenantal care for His people and His ultimate plan for their redemption. Jesus.

Exodus 7: 

God Sends Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh (Verses 1-7):

The Lord reassures Moses, saying He has made Moses "like God to Pharaoh," with Aaron as his prophet. Moses and Aaron are commanded to deliver God's message and perform signs.

God tells Moses that He will harden Pharaoh’s heart and that Pharaoh will not listen.

He also tells Moses that He will eventually stretch out His hand on Egypt and bring His children out of Egypt by great acts of Judgement.

The Staff Turns into a Serpent (Verses 8-13):

At Pharaoh’s court, Aaron throws down his staff, and it turns into a serpent as a sign of God's power. Pharaoh’s magicians replicate this miracle through their magic, but Aaron’s staff-serpent swallows theirs, demonstrating God's superiority.

The First Plague: Water Turned to Blood (Verses 14-24):

God begins His judgments on Egypt. Through Moses and Aaron, the Nile River and all water sources are turned to blood, killing the fish and making the water undrinkable. Pharaoh’s magicians again imitate this, and Pharaoh remains stubborn, refusing to let the Israelites go.

Why?  The Nile River was central to Egyptian life, seen as a source of sustenance, commerce, and fertility. It was also worshipped as divine, with gods such as Hapi, the god of the Nile, believed to control its waters. By turning the water into blood, God demonstrated His authority over the Nile and showed the impotence of Egypt's gods.

Takeaway - Spiritual Warfare:

The confrontation between Aaron’s staff and the magicians underscores the reality of spiritual warfare. God's power is always greater than any human or spiritual force.

Exodus 8:

The Plague of Frogs (Verses 1–15):

At God's command, Moses and Aaron bring a plague of frogs upon Egypt, with frogs invading every part of daily life. Pharaoh asks Moses to plead with God to remove the frogs, promising to release the Israelites, but after the frogs are gone, Pharaoh hardened his heart and refuses.  Which we see repetitively by Pharaoh.

So why frogs you might ask?  Frogs were associated with the Egyptian goddess Heqet, who was depicted as a frog and was linked to fertility, childbirth, and life. By sending a plague of frogs, God demonstrated His power over Heqet, showing that He alone is the true source of life.

The "excessive" number of frogs symbolized chaos and a disruption of the natural order, contrasting with the orderliness attributed to Egyptian deities.

The Plague of Gnats (Verses 16–19):

At God’s instruction, Aaron strikes the dust of the ground, and it turns into gnats (or lice) that infest humans and animals. Pharaoh’s magicians are unable to replicate this plague and admit, “This is the finger of God.” Yet, Pharaoh remains stubborn.

Why the lice or gnats?  The plague of gnats struck at the very dust of the earth, turning it into swarming insects. This likely held significance because the Egyptians considered the soil of the Nile Valley sacred.

Additionally, the gnats represented uncleanness. Egyptian priests adhered to strict purification rituals, and the infestation of gnats would have rendered them unclean and unable to serve their gods.

The Plague of Flies (Verses 20–32):

Swarms of flies infest Egypt, but God spares the land of Goshen, where the Israelites live. This distinction demonstrates God’s protection over His people. Again, Pharaoh promises to let the Israelites go if the flies are removed, but he hardens his heart again after the plague is lifted.

Why flies?  Flies (often interpreted as biting insects or swarming flies) were both a nuisance and a threat to health. This plague disrupted daily life and likely made people recognize their vulnerability.

Some scholars suggest that the flies symbolized the corruption and decay of the Egyptian system, and their swarming nature illustrated the overwhelming power of God’s judgment.

Takeaway - The Danger of Hardened Hearts:

Pharaoh’s repeated hardening of his heart serves as a warning against resisting God’s will. It reminds us of the spiritual consequences of pride and disobedience.

Exodus 9:

The Fifth Plague: Egyptian Livestock Die (Verses 1–7):

God sends a deadly plague on the livestock of Egypt, sparing only the livestock of the Israelites. Despite witnessing this distinction, Pharaoh's heart remains hardened.

Why?  Livestock were sacred in Egyptian culture and associated with several gods, such as Apis, a bull deity worshipped for fertility and strength. The plague showed God's supremacy over these false gods by showing that they could not protect Egypt’s livestock.  But did you notice the Israelites livestock was unharmed?  Yup.  His protective care of His people is seen here.

The Sixth Plague: Boils (Verses 8–12):

Moses and Aaron scatter soot in the air, causing boils to break out on Egyptians and their animals. Even Pharaoh’s magicians are afflicted, yet Pharaoh remains unyielding.

Why?  Boils caused intense pain and discomfort, directly affecting the Egyptians' physical health. Unlike earlier plagues that primarily disrupted daily life (e.g., frogs or gnats), this plague struck their bodies, showing God’s power on a very personal level.  REAL personal!

The Seventh Plague: Hail (Verses 13–35):

God warns Pharaoh of an unprecedented storm of hail that will destroy crops, livestock, and anything left outside. Those who fear the Lord take shelter, but many ignore the warning. The hail devastates Egypt, sparing Goshen where the Israelites reside. Pharaoh momentarily acknowledges his sin but backs off on his promise to release the Israelites after the hail ceases.

Why?  Display of God's power over all of it.  We have all been through hail storms but this one was like no other!  This was a huge blow to crops and the economy, but we do see a glimpse of mercy because God gave them all a heads up that this was coming.

Takeaway - The Danger of Superficial Repentance:

Pharaoh’s temporary acknowledgment of sin without true repentance reminds us that saying the right words is not enough—genuine heart change is required.

Exodus 10:

The Eighth Plague: Locusts (Verses 1–20):

God sends locusts to devastate Egypt’s land, consuming what remains after the hail. Pharaoh’s officials plead with him to release the Israelites, recognizing the destruction brought by these plagues. Pharaoh temporarily agrees but insists only the men may go to worship. After the locusts are removed, Pharaoh again hardens his heart and refuses to let the Israelites go.  You'd think Pharaoh would catch on eventually right?

Why? Locusts are known for their ability to swarm and destroy entire crops in a short time, and they were a recognized threat in ancient societies dependent on agriculture. This plague struck at the heart of Egypt's food supply, crippling their economy and survival even further.  The locusts ate up anything that was left after the hailstorm!  Think economic collapse.

The Ninth Plague: Darkness (Verses 21–29):

God brings a thick, impenetrable darkness over Egypt for three days, described as darkness that could be "felt." The Israelites, however, are spared and have light in their dwellings. Pharaoh offers another conditional release, but Moses rejects it. Pharaoh angrily tells Moses he will never see him again.

Why?  We can see another direct challenge to one of the Egyptians gods, her name is Ra.  Darkness directly confronted Ra, one of Egypt’s most important deities, who was believed to be the god of the sun and the source of light and life. By plunging Egypt into darkness for three days, God demonstrated His power over Ra, proving that the true source of light and creation is the God of Israel.

As the ninth plague, darkness set the stage for the final and most devastating plague—the death of the firstborn. It foreshadowed the ultimate consequence of Pharaoh’s resistance: the removal of life itself.

Takeaway - God’s Protection of His People:

The Israelites were once again spared from the plagues (e.g., they had light during the darkness), emphasizing God’s faithfulness and care for His covenant people.

Exodus 11:

The Final Warning (Verses 1–3):

God tells Moses that one last plague will finally cause Pharaoh to release the Israelites. God also assures Moses that the Israelites will leave with favor and wealth, as the Egyptians will freely give them silver and gold. Bout time, right?

The Death of the Firstborn Foretold (Verses 4–8):

Moses announces to Pharaoh that every firstborn in Egypt, from Pharaoh’s household to the lowest servant’s household and livestock, will die at midnight. However, God will protect the Israelites, ensuring not even a dog will harm them. Despite this terrifying warning, Pharaoh's heart remains hardened.

Why?  This one is pretty straightforward.  The first born is the namesake representing the family's future and inheritance, let alone the heir to the throne.  By striking the firstborn, God directly challenged Pharaoh's supposed divinity and authority, proving that Yahweh alone is sovereign.

Moses Departs in Anger (Verse 8):

After delivering God’s final message, Moses leaves Pharaoh in great anger, as Pharaoh’s resistance continues, despite the suffering already inflicted on Egypt.  Moses is DONE with it at this point.

Takeaway - God Prepares His People:

God instructs the Israelites to request silver and gold from the Egyptians. This not only fulfills His promise to Abraham (Genesis 15:14) but also provides resources for the journey and the building of the Tabernacle later. It’s a reminder that God equips His people for His purposes.

Conclusion:

These plagues not only inflicted discomfort and even death, but also systematically demonstrated that the gods of Egypt were powerless against Yahweh, the God of Israel. Each plague attacked a specific aspect of Egyptian life—religion, agriculture, or daily living and their future—exposing the futility of trusting in false gods and systems. 

But why does it matter to us today?  The plagues remind us that God is in control of all creation. He works through circumstances to accomplish His purposes, even when humans resist.

We can see that persistent rebellion against God leads to consequences. 

Good news though!  Just as God delivered the Israelites, He continues to work to deliver His people today—from sin, trials, oftentimes the ugliness of our rebellion against Him.

Personal Challenge

• Why does God harden Pharaoh’s heart? Do a little research.