Topical Encyclopedia Moses, a central figure in the Old Testament, is renowned for his role as a prophet and leader of the Israelites. Under divine direction, Moses was instrumental in bringing a series of plagues upon the land of Egypt, a pivotal event in the narrative of the Exodus. These plagues were a demonstration of God's power and a means to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage.Divine Commissioning Moses' mission to liberate the Israelites began with a divine encounter at the burning bush, where God revealed Himself and commissioned Moses to confront Pharaoh. In Exodus 3:10, God commands, "So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt." Despite initial reluctance and self-doubt, Moses accepted the task, equipped with signs and wonders to authenticate his divine mandate. The Plagues as Divine Judgments The plagues were not arbitrary acts of destruction but were divinely orchestrated judgments against Egypt and its pantheon of gods. Each plague systematically dismantled the Egyptians' reliance on their deities and demonstrated the supremacy of Yahweh, the God of Israel. The plagues are recorded in Exodus 7-12 and include: 1. Water Turned to Blood: The Nile, Egypt's lifeline, was turned to blood, rendering it undrinkable and killing the fish (Exodus 7:20-21). This act challenged the Egyptian god Hapi, the deity of the Nile. 2. Frogs: Frogs swarmed the land, invading homes and disrupting daily life (Exodus 8:6). This plague mocked the goddess Heqet, who was depicted with a frog's head. 3. Gnats: Dust became gnats, afflicting people and animals (Exodus 8:17). This plague demonstrated God's power over the earth, countering the Egyptian god Geb. 4. Flies: Swarms of flies filled the houses and land of Egypt, causing chaos (Exodus 8:24). This plague further emphasized the impotence of Egyptian deities. 5. Livestock Disease: A severe plague struck the Egyptian livestock, sparing the Israelites' animals (Exodus 9:6). This targeted the bull-god Apis and the cow-goddess Hathor. 6. Boils: Painful boils afflicted the Egyptians and their animals (Exodus 9:10). This plague demonstrated God's power over health and the body. 7. Hail: A devastating hailstorm destroyed crops and livestock in the fields (Exodus 9:23-25). This plague challenged the sky goddess Nut and the agricultural god Osiris. 8. Locusts: Locusts consumed what was left after the hail, devastating the land (Exodus 10:13-15). This plague further undermined the fertility gods of Egypt. 9. Darkness: A palpable darkness enveloped Egypt for three days, a direct affront to Ra, the sun god (Exodus 10:22-23). 10. Death of the Firstborn: The final and most severe plague was the death of the firstborn in every Egyptian household, from Pharaoh's palace to the lowliest dungeon (Exodus 12:29-30). This plague was a decisive act of judgment, leading to the liberation of the Israelites. Pharaoh's Hardened Heart Throughout the plagues, Pharaoh's heart remained hardened, a recurring theme that highlights the tension between divine sovereignty and human obstinacy. Despite witnessing the power of God, Pharaoh repeatedly refused to release the Israelites, fulfilling God's declaration in Exodus 7:3-4: "But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I will multiply My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, Pharaoh will not listen to you." The Passover and Exodus The culmination of the plagues was the institution of the Passover, a pivotal event in Israelite history. God instructed the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb and mark their doorposts with its blood, ensuring that the angel of death would "pass over" their homes (Exodus 12:13). This act of faith and obedience set the stage for the Exodus, as Pharaoh finally relented and allowed the Israelites to depart. Moses' role in bringing the plagues upon Egypt underscores his obedience to God's command and the fulfillment of divine promises. Through these acts, God demonstrated His power, justice, and faithfulness to His covenant people, setting the stage for their journey to the Promised Land. Nave's Topical Index Exodus 7:1And the LORD said to Moses, See, I have made you a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet. Nave's Topical Index Exodus 8:1 Exodus 9:1 Exodus 10:1 Exodus 11:1 Exodus 12:1 Library Exposition of Chap. Iii. (ii. 28-32. ) The Reaction against Egypt The Letter of the Church of Rome The Second vision "On Earth" Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ... Funeral Oration on the Great S. Basil, Bishop of C??sarea in ... Importance of Small Things in Religion The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ... Israel's Hope Encouraged; Resources In what ways was Moses like Jesus? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did Moses have to wear a veil? | GotQuestions.org How old was Moses when he died? How long did Moses live? | GotQuestions.org Moses: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Iconoclasm: Destroyed by Moses Moses is a Herdsman for Jethro in the Desert of Horeb Moses with Aaron Assembles the Leaders of Israel Moses with his Wife and Sons, he Leaves Jethro to Perform his Mission in Egypt Moses: A Levite and Son of Amram Moses: Appoints Joshua As his Successor Moses: Benedictions of Last Benediction Upon the Twelve Tribes Moses: Benedictions of Upon the People Moses: Character of Called the Man of God Moses: Character of Complainings of Moses: Character of God Spoke To, As a Man to his Friend Moses: Character of Impatience of Moses: Character of Magnanimity of, Toward Eldad and Medad Moses: Character of Magnified of God Moses: Character of Meekness of Moses: Character of Obedience of Moses: Character of Respected and Feared Moses: Character of Unaspiring Moses: Commissioned As Leader of the Israelites Moses: Composes a Song for the People of Israel on Their Deliverance from Pharaoh Moses: Crosses the Red Sea; Pharaoh and his Army are Destroyed Moses: Discovered and Adopted by the Daughter of Pharaoh Moses: Has the Vision of the Burning Bush Moses: Hidden in a Small Basket Moses: His Controversy With his Wife on Account of Circumcision Moses: His Loyalty to his Race Moses: His Rod Miraculously Turned Into a Serpent, and his Hand Was Made Leprous, and Then Restored Moses: Institutes a System of Government Moses: Jealousy of Aaron and Miriam Toward Moses: Joined by his Family in the Wilderness Moses: Joins Himself to Jethro, Priest of Midian Moses: Learned in all the Wisdom of Egypt Moses: Meets Aaron in the Wilderness Moses: Mourning For, Thirty Days in the Plains of Moab Moses: Not Permitted to Enter Canaan, But Views the Land from Atop Mount Pisgah Moses: People Complain Against Moses and Aaron Moses: Present With Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration Moses: Rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram Against Moses: Receives Comfort and Assurance from the Lord Moses: Rejected by Pharaoh; Hardships of the Israelites Increased Moses: Renews his Appeal to Pharaoh Moses: Reproves Aaron For: Irregularity in the offerings Moses: Reproves Aaron For: Making the Golden Calf Moses: Secures the Deliverance of the People and Leads Them out of Egypt Moses: Takes the Life of an Egyptian Taskmaster Moses: Under Divine Direction Brings Plagues Upon the Land of Egypt Mutiny: Israelites Against Moses Related Terms |
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