Moses – The Making of a LeaderSample

Day 10: The Purpose of the Plagues 

Thoughts on the Passage

Water to blood – Hapi the god of the Nile

Plague of frogs – Heket, the frog god of fertility and renewal

Plague of lice – Geb, the god of the dust of the earth

Plague of flies – Khepri, the god of creation and rebirth (the dung beetle represents this god)

Plague on the cattle – Hathor, the goddess of love and protection (head of a cow)
Plague of ashes and boils – Isis, the goddess of medicine and peace
Plague of hail – Nut, the goddess of the sky

Plague of locusts – Seth, the god of war, storms, and disorder

Plague of Darkness – Ra, the sun god

Death of the firstborn – Pharaoh, earth’s representation of Ra (he was considered the son of Ra)

The number ten represents completeness – God’s complete judgment over the gods of Egypt. 

There is much more we can learn from these plagues if we understood how the Egyptians worshipped these gods and their impact on the lives of the people. To the Israelites, this time became the defining moment of their history for generations to come – the Lord was known as the “God who took them out of the land of Egypt, out of the land of bondage”. 

In these few short weeks or months (we do not know exactly how long this took), we see Moses grow strong in his trust of God. We see Moses use his authority to humble a proud ruler; bring the gods of Egypt to their knees; and open the door for God to bring out His people from slavery. We see Moses become the face of deliverance to the people of Israel. There are many other things Moses must do for them, but this is where it starts – with deliverance. For our lives, and for our world, this is where it must start as well – with deliverance.

Application to our Life

When we look at our world (our lives as well), is there any spiritual bondage? Is the god of this world holding any ground that must be broken and released? Today is the day to see deliverance from this oppression.

Is God asking any of us to minister to someone in bondage? Take time to look at the life of Moses and see the kind of person God uses to set others free.

Time to Pray
Father, when I look at the bondages in the lives of people around me, I see the same need – deliverance. I see it in their faces, I see it in their pain and brokenness, and I see it in their culture and identity. To set them free is not something we do – it is only You that can set them free. The forces holding them in bondage are stronger than me – but they are not stronger than You! So help me today to listen carefully to You. 

You want to use me – and everyone of us – to help people become free. Some do not yet believe it is necessary. You need to open their eyes. Others need to see that You are more powerful than the demonic forces that bind them. Help us to be Your staff that You use. In Jesus' name, Amen.