How does the water turning to blood foreshadow Christ's sacrifice in the New Testament? The First Plague: Water Becomes Blood “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Tell Aaron, “Take your staff and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt … and they will turn to blood.” ’” (Exodus 7:19) Immediate Significance in Exodus • God confronts Egypt’s false gods: the Nile, source of life, is struck. • Judgment falls on Pharaoh’s hard-heartedness. • Death replaces life—fish die, water stinks, the nation suffers (vv. 20-21). Patterns That Point Forward • Water → blood = life → death. • A righteous act of God against sin. • A public, undeniable sign; no one in Egypt could ignore it. Bridge to the New Testament • Hebrews 9:22, “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” • Where Egypt tasted judgment, Christ would taste judgment for us. • In Exodus, blood pollutes; at Calvary, blood purifies (1 John 1:7). From Nile Judgment to Cross Redemption 1. Blood Reveals Sin’s Cost – Exodus 7:21 shows death in the river. – Romans 6:23, “The wages of sin is death.” 2. Blood Introduces a Substitute – The narrative flows toward Passover (Exodus 12), where lamb’s blood grants life. – 1 Peter 1:18-19, “You were redeemed … with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish.” 3. Blood Demands a Decision – Egyptians were forced to reckon with God’s power. – At the cross the centurion cries, “Surely this was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39). Jesus’ First Miracle: Water to Wine • John 2:1-11: water again changes, this time to celebratory wine. • The sign previews the transformative power of Jesus’ blood—wine symbolizing the new covenant (Luke 22:20). • Contrast: Moses brings judgment; Jesus brings joy and grace (John 1:17). Life Through the Pierced Side “But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out.” (John 19:34) • Blood and water separate, confirming real death. • Symbolically, the very elements Egypt lost now flow for our salvation—blood that atones, water that cleanses (Ephesians 5:26). Key Takeaways • The Nile turning to blood previews the cross: judgment displayed, blood shed, hearts called to repentance. • What condemned Egypt foreshadowed what would redeem us. • The same God who strikes sin provides the sacrifice—Jesus Christ, “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Response of Faith Hold fast to the “better blood” (Hebrews 12:24) that speaks grace instead of judgment, life instead of death, and eternal deliverance instead of temporal plagues. |
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