Introduction to the Plagues

INTRODUCTION:  Two miracles have demonstrated the power of God, yet Pharaoh’s heart is hardened and he will not let the people go. Moses once again receives directions to go to Pharaoh and call for the liberty of Israel, but this time his refusal will bring plagues against the land of Egypt and their gods.

1. THE PURPOSE OF THE PLAGUES
1. Judgment
1. To bring judgment on Pharaoh and the Egyptians (Exodus 3:9-10, 20; Exodus 7:3-4)
2. To bring judgments on the gods of the Egyptians (Exodus 12:12; Numbers 33:4)
2. Deliverance (Exodus 3:20; Exodus 4:21-23; Exodus 6:1-8)
3. Revelation
1. To reveal the True God to the Egyptians (Exodus 7:3-4; Exodus 9:14; even the magicians recognized that it was the finger of God (Exodus 8:19)
2. To reveal the Israelites as the people of God (Exodus 8:21-23; Exodus 9:4; Exodus 11:7)
3. To show God to be above all gods (Exodus 9:15-16; Exodus 18:10-11)
4. Faith
1. To demonstrate the power of the word of God (Exodus 9:20-21)
2. To give the Israelites confidence in their God (Exodus 10:1-2)
2. A SUMMARY OF THE PLAGUES
1. Plague Groupings
1. The plagues have an obvious pattern to them.
2. The first nine plagues can be divided into three groups of three plagues each.
3. The last plague is a category unto itself.
2. First Group of Plagues: Water to Blood, Frogs, Lice
1. First one begins in the morning (Exodus 7:15).
2. First one takes the message to all the Egyptians.
3. Second one starts with a warning to Pharaoh.
4. All three are initiated by Aarons rod.
5. They disrupt the comfort of man.
6. Third one begins with no warning at all.
7. In the last one (lice), the magicians must acknowledge the finger of God (Exodus 8:19).
3. Second Group of Plagues:  Flies, Murrain, Boils
1. First one begins in the morning (Exodus 8:20).
2. First one initiates the separation between the Israelites and the Egyptians (Exodus 8:22-23).
3. Second one starts with a warning to Pharaoh.
4. The rod is not mentioned at all in these three.
5. They attack the staff of life.
6. Third one begins with no warning at all.
7. In the last one (boils), the magicians cannot stand before Pharaoh (Exodus 9:11).
4. Third Group of Plagues:  Hail, Locusts, Darkness
1. First one begins in the morning (Exodus 9:13, 18).
2. First one (hail) finds even the Egyptians who fear the word of the Lord benefiting (Exodus 9:20-21).
3. Second one starts with a warning to Pharaoh.
4. All three initiated by Moses rod and/or hand.
5. They bring death and destruction.
6. Third one begins with no warning at all.
7. In the last one (darkness), Pharaoh declares that he never wants to see Moses again (Exodus 10:28).
3. THE PLAGUES OF EXODUS 8 (Exodus 8:1-32)
1. The Plague of the Frogs (Exodus 8:1-15)
1. The warning given to Pharaoh (Exodus 8:1-4)
1. The Lord calls Moses to return to Pharaoh (Exodus 8:1).
2. The Lord gives Moses a message for Pharaoh (Exodus 8:1-4).
1. Thus saith the Lord, Let my people go, that they may serve me (Exodus 8:1).
2. If you refuse, the Lord will smite your borders with frogs (Exodus 8:2).
3. The frogs will be everywhere (Exodus 8:3).
4. The frogs will affect all Egyptians (Exodus 8:4).
2. The frogs covered the land (Exodus 8:5-6).
3. The magicians do the same (Exodus 8:7).
4. Pharaoh calls for Moses and Aaron (Exodus 8:8-11).
1. Pharaoh promises to let the people go (Exodus 8:8).
2. He asks Moses to get rid of the frogs (Exodus 8:8).
3. Moses glories in the seeming victory (Exodus 8:9).
4. Moses inquires as to when to get rid of the frogs (Exodus 8:9).
5. Pharaoh says, tomorrow (Exodus 8:10).
6. Moses promises to do as he said (Exodus 8:10-11).
5. The frogs die throughout the land (Exodus 8:12-14).
1. Moses cries unto the Lord regarding the frogs (Exodus 8:12).
2. The frogs died out of the houses, the villages and fields (Exodus 8:13).
3. The frogs were all gathered together and the land stank (Exodus 8:14).
6. Pharaoh hardens his heart and refuses to let the people go (Exodus 8:15).
2. The Plague of the Lice (8:16-19)
1. By Aarons rod, the dust of the land becomes lice (Exodus 8:16-17).
2. The magicians were unable to do the same (Exodus 8:18).
3. The magicians recognize the finger of God (Exodus 8:19).
4. Pharaohs heart was hardened and he hearkened not (Exodus 8:19).
3. The Plague of the Flies (8:20-32)
1. The warning given to Pharaoh (Exodus 8:20-21)
2. The promise to make a division between the Israelites and the Egyptians (Exodus 8:22-23)
1. The Lord will sever the land of Goshen so that there be no flies come upon His people (Exodus 8:22).
2. The Lord will divide between His people and Pharaohs people (Exodus 8:23).
3. This was meant to be a sign to Pharaoh (Exodus 8:22-23).
3. The land corrupted by the flies (Exodus 8:24)
4. Pharaohs offer of a compromise: in the land (Exodus 8:25-27)
5. Pharaohs second offer of a compromise: not very far (Exodus 8:28)
6. The Lord removed the swarms of flies (Exodus 8:29-31).
7. Pharaoh hardens his heart and refuses to let the people go (Exodus 8:32).

CONCLUSION:  The Lord began His dealings with Pharaoh in a gentle way, but Pharaoh’s refusal to hearken to the Lord will bring greater condemnation. Do you hearken when the Lord deals with you in gentleness, or does He have to up the level of chastisement before you will heed Him?