The Significance of the 10 Plagues of Egypt (Part 2) – By Babatunde Olugboji
Last week we stopped at the sixth plague, and this week, we’ll conclude the 2-part mini-series on what’s commonly referred to as the Ten Plagues, detailed in Exodus 7 through 12. These plagues were a series of ten calamities God inflicted on Egypt to persuade Pharaoh to liberate the Israelite slaves who had suffered under oppression in Egypt.
Prior to the final three plagues being unleashed, Pharaoh received a clear message from God. These forthcoming plagues were to be more intense than the previous ones, intended to persuade Pharaoh and the entire populace “that there is none like me in all the earth” (Exodus 9:14).
Pharaoh was informed that his position was orchestrated by God, allowing him to demonstrate his might and proclaim his name throughout the world (Exodus 9:16). As a demonstration of his mercy, God cautioned Pharaoh to gather any remaining livestock and crops from the earlier plagues and protect them from the impending storm. Some of Pharaoh’s officials took heed of the warning (Exodus 9:20), while others disregarded it.
The seventh plague, hail, targeted Nut, the goddess of the sky; Osiris, the deity of crop fertility; and Set, the god of storms. This hail was unprecedented, accompanied by fire that resulted in the destruction of everything left exposed to the elements. Once more, the children of Israel were miraculously shielded, with no hail causing damage in their territories. Before the subsequent plague was unleashed, God instructed Moses that the Israelites would recount to their children the miraculous acts they had witnessed in Egypt.
The eighth plague, locusts, once again targeted Nut, Osiris, and Set. Crops, such as wheat and rye, which had withstood the hail, were now consumed by the locust swarms. Consequently, there would be no harvest in Egypt that year.
The ninth plague, darkness, targeted the sun god, Re, who was represented by Pharaoh himself. For three days, an unnatural darkness enveloped Egypt, yet the homes of the Israelites remained illuminated.
The tenth and final plague, which involved the death of the firstborn males, served as a judgment against Isis, the guardian of children. Through this plague, God imparted a profound spiritual lesson to the Israelites that foreshadowed Christ. Unlike the previous plagues, from which the Israelites were automatically spared due to their identity as God’s chosen people, this particular plague necessitated an act of faith on their part. God instructed each family to select an unblemished male lamb and sacrifice it.
The blood of the lamb was to be applied to the top and sides of their doorframes, and the lamb was to be roasted and consumed that evening. Any family that failed to adhere to God’s directives would face consequences during the final plague. God detailed how he would dispatch the destroyer throughout the land of Egypt, tasked with slaying the firstborn male in every household, whether human or animal. The sole means of protection was the blood of the lamb on the door. When the destroyer observed the blood, he would pass over that residence and leave it unharmed (Exodus 12:23).
This is the origin of the term Passover. Passover serves as a commemoration of that fateful night in ancient Egypt when God liberated his people from slavery. 1 Corinthians 5:7 indicates that Jesus became our Passover through his death, which freed us from the bondage of sin. While the Israelites experienced God’s protection in their homes, every other household in Egypt faced divine retribution as their loved ones perished. This tragic occurrence ultimately compelled Pharaoh to release the Israelites.
When the Israelites departed from Egypt, they possessed a distinct understanding of God’s might, his protection, and his intentions for them. For those who chose to have faith, there was compelling proof that they worshipped the one true and living God. Unfortunately, many remained unconvinced, resulting in further trials and lessons from God. Consequently, the Egyptians and other ancient peoples in the region experienced a profound fear of the God of Israel.
Despite the devastation of the tenth plague, Pharaoh changed his mind and pursued the Israelites with his chariots. When God parted the Red Sea for the Israelites and subsequently drowned Pharaoh’s armies, the might of Egypt was obliterated, and the reverence for God spread among the neighboring nations (Joshua 2:9–11). This was the very objective that God had proclaimed from the outset. We can still reflect on these occurrences today to strengthen our faith in, and our reverence for, this true and living God, the ultimate Judge of all the earth.
Have a good week.
Questions or comments?
+1-609-887-6610 (WhatsApp)
