The Plagues and the Exodus,

The Plagues and the Exodus

Class Notes

Background

The Israelites were kept in bondage by the Egyptians for 430 years. Moses has been chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. As instructed by God, Moses asks the Pharaoh to allow Israelites three days off to go to the wilderness to worship God. The Pharaoh is not happy and makes life harder for the Israelites. Exodus 5:1-9

God reassure Moses that it will all work out. Exodus 6:1-9 (renewed covenant)

God gives Moses and Aaron power to persuade (the rod and the serpent).

Exodus 7:8-13

The Plagues

Each time Moses goes to the Pharaoh and asks for the release of the Israelites (as directed by God), the Pharaoh says no. Therefore, a plague is put upon the people of Egypt and the Israelites are spared.

  1. 1. The Nile River (their primary source of water) turns to blood.

Exodus 7:19-21

2. Frogs. Everywhere. This gets the attention of Pharaoh. He agrees to let the people go…tomorrow. As soon as the frogs are gone, he changes his mind. His heart is hardened. Exodus 8:1-15

3. "all the dust of the land became lice" Exodus 8:16-20

4. "behold I will send swarms of flies" Exodus 8:21-24

5. "there shall be a grievous murrain" that will kill all the cattle. Exodus 9:1-6

6. "the ashes of the furnace were sprinkled toward heaven and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man and upon beast. Exodus 9:10-12

7. The worst hailstorm in history that destroyed crops Exodus 9:23-33

8. "the east wind brought the locusts" Exodus 10:13-15

9. "darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness that may be felt" Exodus 10:21-22

After the second plague, the Pharaoh starts making promises to allow people to leave. But as soon as the plague is lifted he goes back on his word. "His heart is hardened. Pharaoh continues to make false promises. Exodus 9:27-35

Why would God impose these plagues on people?

  1. • All would hear and know about the power of God

  2. • Sometimes through struggles, great lessons are learned

  3. • Often through struggles we learn compassion and empathy

  4. • Each plague represented different idols of the time, gods of this and that. God would not tolerate worshipping idols. Are there idols in your life?

God shows his patience with Pharaoh. However, we see that the Pharaoh is responsible for his own fate.

The Tenth Plague-The Passover

This is regarded by the Jewish people as one the greatest event in their history. God intends to kill the first born son of every Egyptian, even the cattle. God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites to prepare a special meal of lamb, herbs and unleavened bread. The people were to put the blood of the lamb on the door so that the Angel of Death would PASS OVER their house and the firstborn son would not be killed. It came to pass that every first born son died, including the Pharaoh’s. Pharaoh decides to let the people go. Exodus 12:1-36. The Israelites were instructed to keep this ritual when they come to the promised land. Exodus 13:8-10

The Exodus and the Parting of the Red Sea

The people are leaving and Pharaoh is without a workforce, so he once again goes back on his word and sends troops after the Israelites. They seem trapped by the Red Sea, but Moses raises his rod and "the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea." Pharaoh and his troops pursue them and are swallowed up by the sea. Exodus 14:21-29