The judgments upon Egypt, as recorded in the Book of Exodus, represent a pivotal moment in biblical history where God demonstrated His power and sovereignty over the gods of Egypt and delivered His people, the Israelites, from bondage. These events are foundational to understanding God's covenant relationship with Israel and His ability to intervene in human history.

Background

The Israelites had been living in Egypt for several centuries, initially as honored guests due to Joseph's position in Pharaoh's court. However, as time passed, a new Pharaoh arose who did not know Joseph and viewed the growing Israelite population as a threat. Consequently, the Egyptians enslaved the Israelites, subjecting them to harsh labor (Exodus 1:8-14).

The Call of Moses

God heard the cries of His people and chose Moses to lead them out of Egypt. At the burning bush, God revealed Himself to Moses and commissioned him to confront Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites (Exodus 3:1-10). Despite Moses' initial reluctance, God assured him of His presence and power.

The Ten Plagues

The plagues were a series of divine judgments designed to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites. Each plague targeted specific aspects of Egyptian life and their pantheon of gods, demonstrating the futility of their idols and the supremacy of Yahweh.

1. Water Turned to Blood (Exodus 7:14-24): The Nile, the lifeblood of Egypt, was turned to blood, killing the fish and making the water undrinkable. This was a direct affront to the Egyptian god Hapi, the god of the Nile.

2. Frogs (Exodus 8:1-15): Frogs swarmed the land, invading homes and disrupting daily life. This plague mocked the goddess Heqet, who was depicted with a frog's head and associated with fertility.

3. Gnats (Exodus 8:16-19): Dust turned into gnats, afflicting people and animals. The magicians of Egypt could not replicate this plague, acknowledging the "finger of God" (Exodus 8:19).

4. Flies (Exodus 8:20-32): Swarms of flies filled the houses and land of Egypt, sparing only the land of Goshen where the Israelites lived. This distinction highlighted God's protection over His people.

5. Livestock Diseased (Exodus 9:1-7): A severe plague struck the Egyptian livestock, while the Israelite animals remained unharmed. This judgment challenged the Egyptian god Apis, a bull deity.

6. Boils (Exodus 9:8-12): Painful boils afflicted the Egyptians and their animals, demonstrating God's power over health and the impotence of their healing deities.

7. Hail (Exodus 9:13-35): A devastating hailstorm destroyed crops and livestock in the fields. This plague targeted the sky goddess Nut and the agricultural deities.

8. Locusts (Exodus 10:1-20): Locusts consumed what was left after the hail, leaving Egypt in ruin. This judgment further emphasized God's control over nature.

9. Darkness (Exodus 10:21-29): A palpable darkness covered Egypt for three days, a direct challenge to Ra, the sun god, and a symbol of spiritual blindness.

10. Death of the Firstborn (Exodus 11:1-12:30): The final and most severe plague resulted in the death of every firstborn in Egypt, from Pharaoh's household to the lowest servant. This judgment broke Pharaoh's resistance and led to the Israelites' release. The Passover, instituted during this plague, became a lasting ordinance for Israel, symbolizing God's deliverance and foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.

The Overthrow of Pharaoh's Army

After the Israelites' departure, Pharaoh's heart was hardened once more, and he pursued them with his army. At the Red Sea, God miraculously parted the waters, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. When the Egyptians followed, the waters returned, drowning Pharaoh's army (Exodus 14:21-28). This decisive act of deliverance demonstrated God's power and faithfulness, leading the Israelites to fear the Lord and trust in Him (Exodus 14:31).

These judgments upon Egypt served as a testament to God's sovereignty, His covenant faithfulness, and His ability to save His people. They also foreshadowed the ultimate deliverance from sin and death through Jesus Christ, the true Passover Lamb.Exodus 7:14
And the LORD said to Moses, Pharaoh's heart is hardened, he refuses to let the people go.
Nave's Topical Index

The victors on the Sea of Glass.
... seven angels having the seven last plagues; for by ... earth, witnesses of the
manifestations of God's judgments. ... by the Israelites when the Egyptians had perished ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the victors on the sea.htm

Psalm CV.
... God:" because the Church, where His judgments are preached ... These plagues are ten
in number, but they are ... after that final destruction of the Egyptians, and the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cv.htm

Exposition of Chap. Iii. (ii. 28-32. )
... 6:3 and Isaiah 31:3: "The Egyptians are men ... on a larger scale, viz., the plagues
inflicted upon ... arise in believers when considering the judgments which threaten ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/exposition of chap iii ii.htm

The Sibylline Oracles.
... [346] If the Egyptians shall neglect ... wholly occupied with denunciations of judgments
and calamities ... coming calamities be wanting; comets, plagues, famines, wars ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the sibylline oracles.htm

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
... the mother of the daughters, of whose overthrow we have ... he has (as was said) his
judgments for her ... nor at all believed by her; wherefore, her plagues must come ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm

The Barren Fig-Tree;
... against this my prophecy of your utter and unavoidable overthrow, by the ... thou hast
had time, seasons, sermons, ministers, afflictions, judgments, mercies, and ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the barren fig-tree.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
... Korah and his company, and that which brought upon them such heavy judgments; yea,
and ... what will become of them that do what they can to overthrow its authority ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm

The Strait Gate;
... gnashing of teeth; yea, without are all the miseries, sorrows, and plagues that
an ... the Lord Jesus designed by these words to show what an overthrow will one ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the strait gate.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... God will not bring forth his people out of Babylon, especially those that are to
be the chief in the building of this city, without their own judgments. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

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