Musing – What were the real reasons for the ten plagues in Egypt?

Hebraic Musing – What were the real reasons for the ten plagues in Egypt?

The story in Exodus of the ten plagues endured by Egypt is so awe-inspiring and spectacular that it foreshadows the more important message.  Many analyses have equated the plagues to defeat of various Egyptian gods.  Let’s look at two very personal results.

God needed to remind His people that He was still an Almighty God.  His people had been in captivity for 400 years and now were in slavery. Can you imagine how important that would be to His people in captivity for so many generations?  He demonstrated His power with a series of plagues – Water into blood, Frogs, Lice or Gnats, Flies, Livestock diseases; Boils, Thunderstorms, Locusts, Darkness; and finally, Death of the FirstBorn. Can you imagine the impression that made on the beleaguered Israelites, and their faith in God?

Now let’s look at the impact on Pharaoh and the Pharaoh’s personal relationship with God.  Remember, God loves everyone.

Pharaoh was first introduced to God by Moses who said, “This is what . . . the God of Israel, says: ‘Let my people go’” Exod. 5:1-2.  And Pharaoh replied, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey him . . . I do not know the LORD and I will not let Israel go”.  Pharaoh did not recognize the God of the Israelites. He could not conceive that there might be a power greater than he; so God decided to start making Himself known.  Pharaoh had to learn exactly who God is in progressive stages. Up until then, Pharaoh was taking public credit for being god, creator and controller of everything.

When the Nile was turned to blood, Pharaoh’s magicians were able to repeat the trick.  Pharaoh concluded that the God of Israel may be powerful, but not more powerful than he.

So with the plague of gnats, Pharaoh was confronted with a different conclusion. His magicians couldn’t replicate the plague; they were defeated by the God of Israel, so they told the Pharaoh: “This is the finger of God” Exod. 8:19. Pharaoh and his advisers recognized that the God of the Israelites was stronger than they, but only by a little bit – just a “finger of God” — just slightly more powerful.

Finally, when Egypt was pounded by fire and hail and Pharaoh stood in his decimated country where only Goshen was miraculously spared, the land belonging to the Israelites.  Only then did Pharaoh come to know the God he had been denying.  Pharaoh finally realized that he offended God who was all powerful and worthy of adoration.  “Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron. ‘This time I have sinned,’ he said to them. ‘The LORD is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong. Pray to the LORD, for we have had enough thunder and hail. I will let you go; you don’t have to stay any longer.’” Exod. 9:27-28

We now see that the Israelites were shown their God as Almighty and caring; and Pharaoh, an individual, came to know an Almighty God.  Many people go through life thinking that they are in control, and the universe centers around them.  They make themselves to be “God.”  Pharaoh had to learn his lesson the hard way. We do not call the shots, and we are not in control.

If you read Exodus 5 to 12 with this in mind, you might enjoy this fresh perspective?

Points to ponder

Do we really know how powerful the God of Israel really is?

Do we worship Him accordingly?

♫ What a mighty God we serve! ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd,                                  January 26, 2016

Author: “Hebraic Insights”  “Biblical Marriage” “Musings v.1 – A Victorious Life”
“Musings v.2 – The Torah and New Testament” Weekly “Hebraic Musings”   www.InsightsByYosef.com

Note - Inspired by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein “Introducing the God of Israel   ” January 7, 2016