How does Exodus 7:20-21 relate to the events in Psalm 105:29? Text of the Two Passages • Exodus 7:20-21: “So Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded; in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials, Aaron raised the staff and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was turned to blood. The fish in the Nile died, and the river reeked so badly that the Egyptians could not drink its water. And there was blood throughout the land of Egypt.” • Psalm 105:29: “He turned their waters to blood and caused their fish to die.” Direct Connection • Psalm 105:29 is a concise, Spirit-inspired summary of the historical event detailed in Exodus 7:20-21. • Both passages describe: – Waters turned into blood. – Massive fish die-off. – Divine action, not natural coincidence. Why the Psalm Recounts the Plague • Psalm 105 is a historical psalm celebrating God’s faithfulness; verse 29 highlights His power in Egypt as proof He keeps covenant promises (Genesis 15:13-14). • The summary form reinforces that the Exodus plagues were purposeful acts of judgment and deliverance, not random disasters. Theological Themes Shared • Sovereignty: God alone commands nature (cf. Job 38:8-11; Jeremiah 32:17). • Judgment on Idolatry: The Nile was deified in Egypt; by striking it, the LORD exposes false gods (Exodus 12:12). • Covenant Faithfulness: The plague moves the redemption narrative forward toward the promised land (Exodus 6:6-8). Literary Perspective • Exodus gives narrative detail; Psalm 105 gives liturgical retelling for worship. • The psalmist condenses the plague cycle to highlight God’s continuous work across generations (compare Psalm 78:43-51). Implications for Readers Today • History remembered shapes faith: rehearsing God’s acts fuels present trust (Psalm 77:11-12). • God’s judgments are precise and purposeful; His deliverance is certain for those who belong to Him (Romans 9:17; 1 Corinthians 10:1-6). |
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