March 2008 - Vol. 17

The Ten Plagues – A Scriptural Reflection
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Plague of Blood, mixed media by Yvette Rock

Reflection by Don Schwager

God's purpose of the plagues was not only to secure the release of the Israelities from bondage in Egypt, but also to make himself known to the Egyptians as the one true God who not only acts with power and judgment, but also with grace, blessing, and protection for those who serve him.

And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch forth my hand upon Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them (Exodus 7:5-6).
In the open warfare between God and Pharoah, God demonstrates his power and shows his wonders to all of Egypt. 

The first plague turning the waters of the Nile into blood is a sign of death. The waters of the Nile nourished  Egypt's fertile lands enabling this desert climate to flourish. The plague of blood not only polutted the fertile river, but led to death both on land and in water. This sign would culminate with the harsh reality of death in the final plague the destruction of the firstborn of all Egypt. There is a moral message in this plague: 

The wages of sin is death, 
but the free gift of God is eternal life 
in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). 
"Lord Jesus Christ, you died that we might no longer live in bondage to sin. Strengthen my hands for battle against the  corrupting force of wrongdoing and rebellion in my life (Psalm 144:1-2,7-8). Increase my hunger for your righteousness and holiness that I may renounce sin, Satan, and the world for your kingdom and your glory." 

The plague of blood

Exodus 7

14 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Pharaoh’s heart is hardened, he refuses to let the people go. 15 Go to Pharaoh in the morning, as he is going out to the water; wait for him by the river’s brink, and take in your hand the rod which was turned into a serpent. 16 And you shall say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, sent me to you, saying, “Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness; and behold, you have not yet obeyed.” 17 Thus says the LORD, “By this you shall know that I am the LORD: behold, I will strike the water that is in the Nile with the rod that is in my hand, and it shall be turned to blood, 18 and the fish in the Nile shall die, and the Nile shall become foul, and the Egyptians will loathe to drink water from the Nile.”’” 19 And the LORD said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Take your rod and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt, over their rivers, their canals, and their ponds, and all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and there shall be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood and in vessels of stone.’”

20 Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded; in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants, he lifted up the rod and struck the water that was in the Nile, and all the water that was in the Nile turned to blood. 21 And the fish in the Nile died; and the Nile became foul, so that the Egyptians could not drink water from the Nile; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt. 22 But the magicians of Egypt did the same by their secret arts; so Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened, and he would not listen to them; as the LORD had said. 23 Pharaoh turned and went into his house, and he did not lay even this to heart. 24 And all the Egyptians dug round about the Nile for water to drink, for they could not drink the water of the Nile. 25 Seven days passed after the LORD had struck the Nile.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Return to: The Ten Plagues (an introduction)


 
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