What is the significance of the different plagues?

In Exodus 5: 2, we find Pharaoh asking the question, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the lord and will not let Israel go.”

In answer to this question, the Lord shows Pharaoh who He is, by demonstrating through the ten plagues that He is greater than all the gods whom they were worshipping.

God’s purpose in sending the ten plagues upon Egypt was to convince Pharaoh to set the Hebrews free and allow them to worship God.

This was also a declaration to the Israelites, who desperately needed proof of God’s power and might. While the Israelites may have worshiped the God of their ancestors, how could they truly believe that God, speaking through Moses, would actually save them? How could they trust God so much that they would abandon their homes for an abstract promised land?

The purpose of the ten plagues in the Book of Exodus is to make known that Israel’s God is the True God and reigns over all people. The ten plagues are a direct attack against the Egyptian gods.

1. The water of the Nile was turned to Blood: Exodus7:14-25.

The gods judged: Hapi: the god of annual flooding; Osirus: The Nile River was his bloodstream.

2. Frogs: Exodus 8:1-15.

The gods judged: Hapi and Hegt who had the head of a frog and were related to fertility: Hegt was a goddess.

3. Lice: These were tiny, stinging, blood sucking gnats. Exodus 8:16 -18.

The god judged: Seb: the earth god.

4. Flies that came in swarms: Exodus 8:20-32.

The gods judged: Hathor: the goddess of protection; Vatchi: fly god.

5. Livestock die: Exodus 9:1-7.

The god judged: Apis: the bull god.

6. Boils on the body: Exodus 9:8-12.

The god judged: Sekhmet: goddess of epidemics.

7. Hail and Fire: Exodus 9:13-15.

The gods judged: Nut; the sky goddess; Seth: god of storms; Shu: god of the atmosphere.

8. Locusts: Exodus 10:1-20.

The gods judged: Siris: god of crops; Serapia: protector of crops.

9. Darkness: Exodus 10:21-29.

The god judged: Ra: the sun god who was the most worshipped god in Egypt.

10. Death of the First Born: Exodus 11:1-12:36.

The god judged: Heget: goddess of birth; Min; the god of reproduction

The ultimate purpose of the plagues was so that future generations will know of the power of God. The ultimate purpose is that we should "know" God. Through the clearly miraculous events in Egypt, the children of Israel witness a spectacle that will forge into their hearts the imprint of the Almighty. They witness this when they understand that God can harness both natural and supernatural forces directing and controlling their phenomenal strength and enormous power in the fulfillment of his word. A moment of realization of this sort is a moment of "knowing God."

Have you come to “know” God in a personal way or do you need some “plagues” to teach you this lesson?

Application Question:

Pharaoh had 10 chances to turn to God, repent, and obey by letting the Israelites go. In your relationship with God, have you ever needed multiple chances to repent?

Quote:

We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.- C.S. Lewis

Prayer:

Lord, I thank You for showing me that You send problems my way so that I know you more personally. Help me not to be like Pharaoh and harden my heart, but respond to You in obedience. Amen