Plagues on Egypt
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The Plagues on Egypt, as recorded in the Book of Exodus, are a series of ten divine judgments that God inflicted upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery. These events are pivotal in the narrative of the Exodus and demonstrate God's power and sovereignty over creation and the false gods of Egypt. The plagues are found in Exodus chapters 7 through 12.

1. Water Turned to Blood (Exodus 7:14-24): The first plague involved the transformation of the Nile River's waters into blood. This act of judgment not only devastated Egypt's primary water source but also struck at the heart of Egyptian religion, as the Nile was considered sacred. "And all the waters of the Nile were turned to blood" (Exodus 7:20).

2. Frogs (Exodus 8:1-15): The second plague brought an overwhelming infestation of frogs throughout the land. Frogs entered homes, bedrooms, and kitchens, causing great distress. This plague mocked the Egyptian goddess Heqet, who was depicted as a frog and associated with fertility.

3. Gnats (Exodus 8:16-19): The third plague saw the dust of the earth become gnats, which tormented both man and beast. The magicians of Egypt, unable to replicate this miracle, acknowledged, "This is the finger of God" (Exodus 8:19).

4. Flies (Exodus 8:20-32): Swarms of flies descended upon Egypt, sparing only the land of Goshen where the Israelites resided. This distinction highlighted God's protection over His people and His control over the natural world.

5. Livestock Disease (Exodus 9:1-7): The fifth plague struck the Egyptian livestock with a severe pestilence, resulting in the death of horses, donkeys, camels, cattle, sheep, and goats. Again, the livestock of the Israelites remained unharmed, demonstrating God's selective judgment.

6. Boils (Exodus 9:8-12): Painful boils afflicted the Egyptians and their animals. This plague directly challenged the Egyptian priests, who prided themselves on ritual purity, as they were rendered unclean and unable to perform their duties.

7. Hail (Exodus 9:13-35): A devastating hailstorm, accompanied by fire, destroyed crops and livestock in the fields. The severity of this plague was unprecedented, as Moses warned Pharaoh, "I will send the full force of My plagues against you and your officials and your people" (Exodus 9:14).

8. Locusts (Exodus 10:1-20): Swarms of locusts consumed what remained of Egypt's crops after the hail. This plague further crippled the Egyptian economy and food supply, emphasizing the futility of resisting God's will.

9. Darkness (Exodus 10:21-29): A palpable darkness enveloped Egypt for three days, a direct affront to Ra, the sun god, whom the Egyptians worshipped. The Israelites, however, had light in their dwellings, underscoring the distinction between God's people and the Egyptians.

10. Death of the Firstborn (Exodus 11:1-12:30): The final and most severe plague resulted in the death of every firstborn male in Egypt, from Pharaoh's household to the lowest servant, as well as the firstborn of the livestock. The Israelites were spared by marking their doorposts with the blood of a lamb, a foreshadowing of Christ's sacrificial death. "At midnight the LORD struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt" (Exodus 12:29).

These plagues served as a demonstration of God's power and a judgment against the gods of Egypt (Exodus 12:12). They ultimately led to the liberation of the Israelites, setting the stage for their journey to the Promised Land and the establishment of the covenant at Sinai.
Plagues of Egypt
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