Download The Bible Page—Resurrections Narratives of Mark and Matthew

Exodus 8-10
We see in these chapters of Exodus eight of the ten plagues enveloping Egypt because they would not
release the Israelites from captivity. Let us look at some general trends and characteristics of the plagues. First,
the intensity of their affliction on the Egyptians seems to increase as we go from one to the next. At first they
are a nuisance with no lasting impact. Even the Egyptian magicians can do tricks such as those. Toward the
end, however, they affect humans directly and have a lasting impact. Also, many of the plagues somewhat
resemble certain natural phenomena that appear in Egypt occasionally. However, it is clear that the sacred
author means to describe these plagues as supernatural and called by the Lord God on the Egyptians because of
their treatment of his Chosen People. Any effort to suppose that these are entirely natural without divine
intervention would not be a full interpretation of the sacred text. The intensity, duration, and sudden appearance
of these plagues are supernatural.
Finally, there is a relationship between each of the plagues and Egyptian worship of their false gods.
The Egyptians considered their gods responsible for different aspects of daily life. The chart below from a
study by Jeff Cavins gives a list of the plagues and the representative deity of the Egyptians that the plague is
meant to overpower. Each time a plague comes we see the power of the Lord of the Israelites being stronger
than these Egyptian gods.
Nile turned to blood
Frogs
Gnats from “dust of the land”
Flies
Pestilence among the cattle
Boils
Hail
Locusts
Darkness across Egypt
Death of firstborn
The Nile was considered the source of life and was often identified with the Egyptian god Hapi.
The Egyptian goddess Heqt was represented by a frog and tied to fertility.
The Egyptian god Seth, god of chaos, was represented by the desert sands.
The Egyptian god Kheper was represented by the beetle or fly.
The Egyptian cow goddess Hathor, the bull god Apis, and the ram god Khnum are overcome.
The Egyptian god of medicine and healing was Imhotep.
The Egyptian goddess Nut was protector of weather and skies.
The Egyptian god of insects was Sobek; the god of the fields was Anubus.
The Egyptian sun god Re (Ra) was believed to be the creator of the world and the giver of life.
Pharaoh was worshiped as a god. Pharaoh’s first-born son may have also been worshiped.
Although they would appear to us to be drastic, the first few plagues are mild in comparison to later
ones. The Nile River apparently has a reddish stain in the summer months, but here it turns to blood. But the
Egyptian magicians were able to somehow do this as well. Frogs have been known to invade the land. Here it
really causes problems with their immense quantity, but once again the magicians can do this “trick” as well
(actually adding to the destruction). However, Moses is shown to be superior since he is able to end it. In the
third plague of gnats the magicians now can no longer match it and they admit that it must be due to the “finger
of God” (8:15 in NAB, 8:19 in RSV).
The fourth plague of flies introduces a new element. The Lord protects the Israelites, who lived in the
district of Goshen (8:18 in NAB, 8:22 in RSV), from the effects of this plague. Pharaoh begins to negotiate
with Moses and Aaron for the first time, offering limited concessions. But as soon as the plague ends he refuses
to let the Israelites go. The fifth plague is a pestilence on the livestock, so this plague begins to affect animals
that are necessary for the people’s survival. The sixth plague of boils begins a direct effect on humans for the
first time. Even the magicians are directly affected. By this time we may be surprised at the hard heart of
Pharaoh and his unrepentance, but are we not sometimes the same in our lives when we repeat sinning even
after we repent and seek reconciliation?
The seventh plague of boils is unlimited. It affects plants, animals, and humans. In Scripture a storm
accompanied by hail, thunder, and lightning is a sign that God is all-powerful. Pharaoh even begins to admit his
sin (9:27). Locusts often affected Egypt but the eighth plague was particularly severe. Pharaoh is ready to let
the men go while holding the women and children hostage. In springtime Egypt sometimes gets a warm desert
wind with sand particles as a cloud that reduces visibility, but the ninth plague of darkness is particularly severe.
Pharaoh now suggests the Israelites may go but must leave their flock behind. But they must have their flocks
to offer sacrifice to God as burnt offerings. Future meetings with Moses are now refused, setting the stage for
the final most severe plague.
For next week, read Exodus 11-15.