Summary: What can be learned from the 10 plagues?
1. This is the 8th time Moses meets Pharaoh, the message hasn’t changed. “Go into Pharaoh and tell him . . . ‘Let my people go’” (Ex. 9:1).
2. God uses faithful servants who obey continually. “Moses was faithful in all his house” (Heb. 3:2).
3. Our proportion of obedience leads to God’s proportion of blessing.
4. Two twins destroy our life: disobedience and disbelief.
B. PLAGUES 5 THROUGH 10
1. 5th Plague: DISEASE OR MURRAIN on livestock:
a. Doesn’t say all died.
b. The cattle of God’s people protected. “Nothing shall die that belongs to the children of Israel” (9:4).
2. 6th Plague: BOILS:
a. Dust from furnace that produced boils.
b. Magicians were infected.
c. Israel not mentioned.
d. No animals could be sacrificed to false gods.
3. 7th Plague: HAIL:
a. Aaron increasingly drops out of the picture; the message was to Moses only. “The LORD said to Moses” (9:13).
b. Was this when Moses’ speech was healed?
c. God explained why Pharaoh was not killed. “If I had stretched out My hand . . . with pestilence . . . you would have been cut off . . . but indeed . . . that I may show My power in you” (9:15-16).
d. Those who feared God protected their servants and animals (9:20-21).
e. Israelites were spared (9:26).
f. Happened in late spring when crops were growing.
4. 8th Plague: LOCUSTS:
a. Moses changes his approach. “How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me?” or, “if you refuse” (10:3-4).
b. Pharaoh’s servants pled with him. “Do you know that Egypt is destroyed?” (10:7).
c. Natural wind from the East, supernatural wind from the West (10:19).
5. 9th Plague: DARKNESS:
a. Experiential, “may even be felt” (10:21).
b. Source, (1) sand storm, (2) eclipse, (3) supernatural.
c. All Egypt paralyzed. “They did not see one another” (10:23).
d. Re – the sun God deserted them.
e. Pharaoh tried another compromise. “Your flocks and your herds be kept back” (10:24).
f. Weak dictators driven by obsessive pride become obstinate, unapproachable and desperate, “See my fire no more . . . you shall die” (10:28).
6. 10th Plague: THE DEATH OF THE FIRST BORN:
a. Moses didn’t tremble but stood like a rock. “You have spoken well, I will never see your face again” (10:29).
b. God knows how much the first born means. “The LORD (Father) has said to Me (Jesus), you are My Son, today I have begotten You” (Ps. 2:7).
c. It takes death to change a mind. “All the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die” (11:3).
d. Unpaid wages. “Ask from his neighbor . . . articles of silver . . . and gold” (11:2). A military phrase of victory, “Thus they plundered the Egyptians” (12:3).
C. WHAT CAN BE LEARNED FROM THE 10 PLAGUES?
1. God says what He means, He will do it, and He does it.
2. God knows and controls the future, so get in good relationship with Him.
3. We cannot negotiate good solutions with the enemy.
4. We cannot negotiate with God.
5. While hard times fall on the just and unjust, God will bless His people.
6. God uses people who have learned lessons from their failures.
7. God is glorified in the punishment those who rebel against Him.
8. God reveals His nature and mighty of power through punishment of sin.
9. Hometown anointing. God appoints people to a culture, so they can become efficient in that culture and minister to that culture.
10. God uses faith and obedience of a person to accomplish great results.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
All PBC lessons are available online at trbc.org/pbc. Go to www.Hopenow.tv for the current program schedule.
Dr. Towns' email is ELTowns@liberty.edu
Dr. Towns’ web address is www.elmertowns.com