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Bible Study: The Ten Plagues of Egypt

Scripture Focus: Exodus 7:14–12:36

Background:

The ten plagues were miraculous acts of judgment by God against Pharaoh and Egypt for their oppression of the Israelites and their refusal to let God’s people go. Each plague targeted Egypt’s gods, demonstrating Yahweh’s supremacy over all false deities. The plagues also served as a sign to both the Egyptians and the Israelites of God’s power and faithfulness.

Each plague was not just a random act of judgment but a targeted demonstration of God’s supremacy over the gods of Egypt and His commitment to deliver His people.

1. Water Turned to Blood (Exodus 7:14-25)

Description: The Nile River and all water sources in Egypt turned to blood, killing fish and making the water undrinkable.

Significance: The Nile was the lifeblood of Egypt, worshipped as a god (Hapi). By turning it to blood, God showed His power over Egypt’s most vital resource and their false gods.

Symbolism: Blood often represents life and judgment in Scripture. This plague was a warning of death and destruction to come.

Question: How does this plague remind us of God’s control over the resources we often take for granted?

What was the significance of the Nile turning to blood in relation to the Egyptian god Hapi?

2. Frogs (Exodus 8:1-15)

Description: Frogs swarmed the land, invading homes, beds, and even food supplies.

Significance: Frogs were associated with Heqet, the Egyptian goddess of fertility and birth. The overabundance of frogs turned a symbol of life into a nuisance, showing God’s power over creation.

Symbolism: The frogs’ invasion disrupted daily life, symbolizing how sin and disobedience can overwhelm us.

Question: What “frogs” (disruptions or distractions) in your life might God be using to get your attention?

3. Gnats (Exodus 8:16-19)

Description: Dust turned into gnats, covering people and animals.

Significance: This plague targeted the earth itself, which the Egyptians associated with Geb, the earth god. Even the magicians acknowledged, “This is the finger of God” (Exodus 8:19).

Symbolism: Gnats represent the small but pervasive nature of sin and the impossibility of escaping God’s judgment.

Question: How does this plague demonstrate that even the smallest things are under God’s control?

4. Flies (Exodus 8:20-32)

Description: Swarms of flies infested Egypt, but the land of Goshen (where the Israelites lived) was spared.

Significance: This was the first plague to distinguish between the Egyptians and the Israelites, showing God’s protection over His people.

Symbolism: The flies represent corruption and decay, highlighting the moral and spiritual decay of Egypt.

Question: How does God’s protection of His people in this plague encourage you in times of trouble?

5. Death of Livestock (Exodus 9:1-7)

Description: All Egyptian livestock (cattle, horses, donkeys, etc.) died, but the Israelites’ animals were unharmed.

Significance: This plague targeted Hathor, the cow-headed goddess, and Apis, the bull god. It also struck at Egypt’s economy and agricultural system.

Symbolism: The death of livestock represents the futility of trusting in material wealth or false gods.

Question: What “livestock” (possessions or resources) do you tend to rely on instead of God?

6. Boils (Exodus 9:8-12)

Description: Painful boils broke out on people and animals.

Significance: This plague targeted Isis, the goddess of healing, and Sekhmet, the goddess of disease. Even the magicians were afflicted and could not stand before Moses.

Symbolism: Boils represent the physical and spiritual consequences of sin.

Question: How does this plague remind us that no one can stand against God’s judgment?

7. Hail (Exodus 9:13-35)

Description: A devastating hailstorm destroyed crops, trees, and livestock. Those who heeded God’s warning were spared.

Significance: This plague targeted Nut, the sky goddess, and Set, the storm god. It also showed God’s mercy to those who listened.

Symbolism: Hail represents the destructive power of God’s judgment and the importance of heeding His warnings.

Question: Are there areas in your life where you need to heed God’s warnings?

8. Locusts (Exodus 10:1-20)

Description: Locusts swarmed Egypt, devouring any remaining crops and vegetation.

Significance: This plague targeted Osiris, the god of crops and fertility. It left Egypt in utter ruin.

Symbolism: Locusts represent the complete devastation that comes from rejecting God.

Question: How does this plague illustrate the consequences of persistent disobedience?

9. Darkness (Exodus 10:21-29)

Description: Thick darkness covered Egypt for three days, but the Israelites had light in their homes.

Significance: This plague targeted Ra, the sun god, the most important deity in Egyptian mythology. It symbolized the spiritual darkness of Egypt.

Symbolism: Darkness represents separation from God, who is the source of light and life.

Question: How does this plague remind us of the importance of staying in God’s light?

10. Death of the Firstborn (Exodus 11:1–12:36)

Description: The firstborn of every Egyptian household and livestock died, but the Israelites were spared by the blood of the Passover lamb.

Significance: This final plague targeted Pharaoh himself, who was considered a god. It also demonstrated the need for atonement through the blood of a lamb.

Symbolism: The Passover lamb foreshadows Jesus Christ, the ultimate sacrifice for sin (John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7).

Question: How does the Passover story deepen your understanding of God’s plan of salvation through Jesus?

Key Takeaways:

God’s Sovereignty: The plagues show that God is supreme over all creation, including the false gods of this world.

Judgment and Mercy: God’s judgments are just, but He always provides a way of escape for those who trust Him.

Faith and Obedience: The Israelites had to trust God’s instructions (e.g., the Passover) to be saved, just as we must trust in Christ for salvation.

God’s Glory: The plagues reveal God’s power and glory, calling all people to recognize and worship Him.

The Ten Plagues of Egypt were not just acts of judgment against Pharaoh and the Egyptians; they were also direct challenges to the gods of Egypt. Each plague targeted specific deities worshipped by the Egyptians, demonstrating Yahweh’s supremacy over their false gods. Here’s a breakdown of the Egyptian gods associated with each plague:

1. Water Turned to Blood (Exodus 7:14-25)

Egyptian God Targeted: Hapi (or Hapy), the god of the Nile.

Hapi was believed to control the annual flooding of the Nile, which was essential for agriculture and life in Egypt.

By turning the Nile to blood, God showed His power over the life-giving river and the god associated with it.

2. Frogs (Exodus 8:1-15)

Egyptian Goddess Targeted: Heqet (or Heket), the frog-headed goddess of fertility and birth.

Frogs were seen as symbols of fertility and new life in Egyptian culture.

The overabundance of frogs turned a symbol of life into a nuisance, showing God’s power over creation and fertility.

3. Gnats (Exodus 8:16-19)

Egyptian God Targeted: Geb, the god of the earth.

Geb was believed to control the dust and soil of the earth.

By turning dust into gnats, God demonstrated His authority over the earth and its elements.

4. Flies (Exodus 8:20-32)

Egyptian God Targeted: Khepri, the god of creation and rebirth, often depicted as a scarab beetle.

Flies and beetles were associated with decay and corruption.

This plague showed God’s power over life and death, as well as His ability to bring judgment on corruption.

5. Death of Livestock (Exodus 9:1-7)

Egyptian Gods Targeted:

Hathor, the cow-headed goddess of love, beauty, and motherhood.

Apis, the bull god associated with fertility and strength.

By killing the livestock, God demonstrated His power over the animals the Egyptians worshipped.

6. Boils (Exodus 9:8-12)

Egyptian Gods Targeted:

Isis, the goddess of healing and medicine.

Sekhmet, the lion-headed goddess of disease and plagues.

The boils showed that the gods of healing and disease were powerless before Yahweh.

7. Hail (Exodus 9:13-35)

Egyptian Gods Targeted:

Nut, the sky goddess.

Set, the god of storms and chaos.

The hailstorm demonstrated God’s control over the sky and weather, which the Egyptians believed were governed by their gods.

8. Locusts (Exodus 10:1-20)

Egyptian God Targeted: Osiris, the god of crops and fertility.

Locusts devoured the crops, showing that Osiris had no power to protect Egypt’s food supply.

This plague also targeted Seth, the god of chaos and destruction, as the locusts brought chaos to the land.

9. Darkness (Exodus 10:21-29)

Egyptian God Targeted: Ra (or Amun-Ra), the sun god and one of the most important deities in Egyptian mythology.

Ra was believed to bring light and life to the world.

The three days of darkness showed that Yahweh had power over light and darkness, and that Ra was powerless before Him.

10. Death of the Firstborn (Exodus 11:1–12:36)

Egyptian God Targeted: Pharaoh himself, who was considered a god-king and the embodiment of Horus, the sky god.

The death of the firstborn, including Pharaoh’s son, demonstrated that Yahweh alone holds the power of life and death.

This plague also targeted Horus, the protector of the ruler, and Anubis, the god of the dead, who could not protect the firstborn from Yahweh’s judgment

How does the Passover lamb foreshadow the role of Jesus Christ in the New Testament?

In what ways can understanding God’s judgment through the plagues help us confront sin and idolatry in our own lives?

What does the targeting of specific Egyptian gods in each plague tell us about God’s nature and His relationship with false worship?