OVERVIEW:
Moses and Aaron go before Pharaoh; the first seven of the 10 plagues.
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
Seven times God says to Pharaoh, “Let my people go, that they may serve me.” (Ex. 5:1; 7:16; 8:1, 20; 9:1,13; 10:3). Notice that though the children of Israel would most certainly be the beneficiaries of God’s delivering power, the actual purpose in delivering them out of the bondage of Egypt wasn’t first and foremost for them—it was for Him! It was so the children of Israel could “serve HIM”—not Pharaoh… and not Egypt! In recounting His purpose in Israel’s “exodus” in Ezekiel 20:9, God said, “But I wrought for my name’s sake, that it should be polluted before the heathen, among whom they were, in whose sight I made myself known unto them, in bringing them fourth out of the land of Egypt.” And may we never forget, that God’s purpose in delivering us out of the bondage of Egypt (sin/ world) was not simply so we could live comfortable, happy lives—and go to heaven when we die. He saved us for His purposes and pleasure (Eph. 2:10; Rev. 4:11; John 17:3). He saved us so we would cease polluting His holy name! He saved us so we would cease serving our own selfish and worldly interests—so we could serve HIM! (2 Cor. 5:15)
The ten plagues of Egypt had a fourfold purpose:
- They were signs to Israel, assuring them of God’s power and care. (Ex. 7:3, 1 Cor. 1:22)
- They were judgments upon Egypt and its ruler, Pharaoh, for persecuting Israel.
- They were prophecies of judgments that will come upon this world and Satan when Moses reappears on this planet during the tribulation period. (Rev.16)
- To show the people of Egypt God’s superiority over their gods.
- The 1st plague of bloody waters was directed against the Egyptian god, Osiris, the god of the Nile. (Ex. 7:20)
- The 2nd plague of the frogs was directed against Hekt, the Egyptian frog goddess. (Ex. 8:6)
- The 3rd plague of lice was directed against the Egyptian god, Seb, the earth god. (Ex. 8:17)
- The 4th plague of flies was directed against the Egyptian goddess, Hatkok, the wife of Osiris. (Ex. 8:24)
- The 5th plague of cattle disease was directed against the Egyptian god, Apis, the sacred bull god. (Ex. 9:6)
- The 6th plague of boils was directed against the Egyptian god, Typhon. (Ex. 9:10)
- The 7th plague, hail with fire, was directed against the Egyptian god, Shu, the god of the atmosphere.
- The 8th plague of locusts was directed against Serapia, the god who supposedly protected Egypt against locusts.
- The 9th plague, darkness, was directed against the Egyptian god, Ra, the sun god.
- The 10th plague, the death of the firstborn, was directed against all gods.
Notice Pharaoh’s (Satan’s) response to God’s command to let his people go in Exodus 5:1: “Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice?” (Ex. 5:2) Keep in mind that the world and Satan have no respect for God’s Word—it is “vain” to them. (5:9) Sinners will either yield to God’s Word—or resist it and become hardened. (Ex. 7:14, Heb. 3:13)
Notice also that God says that His purpose in allowing Pharaoh to oppress Israel was so that His power and glory might be known to the world. (Ex. 6:7; 7:5, 17; 8:10, 22) Today, God is fulfilling His purposes through His church. (Eph. 3:10) That’s why God sometimes allows us to be oppressed (“suffer persecution”—2 Tim. 3:12)—to reveal His power and glory to the world! Our response to persecution and suffering will determine whether or not we will fulfill God’s purposes through us. (1 Peter 2:19–23, Phil. 1:28–29).
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
- As the REDEEMER from the bondage of sin – Exodus 6:6 (Rom. 6:14; Gal. 3:13; 1Pet. 1:18–25)