Monday, we reminded ourselves that the tenth plague against Egypt occurred in the context of the Passover Lamb, a foreshadowing of Jesus’ dying on the cross.

Now let’s take a quick look at the other nine plagues, summarized in the picture below.

I encourage you to read the account of the first nine plagues in Exodus 7 – 10. In addition to the specifics pointed out in this chart, I’m fascinated by Moses and Aaron’s involvement:

• “stretch out your staff” – water to blood, frogs, locusts
• “strike the ground” – gnats
• “toss soot in the air” – boils
• “stretch out your hand” – to start and stop the hail, darkness

There was no power at all in Aaron’s or Moses’ actions, but God lets them “participate” anyway! Their words were certainly important, declaring to Pharaoh what was going to happen and asking him to let them go. The purpose of it all was clear:

• A sign to Pharaoh

For this time I will send all My plagues against your heart and amongst your servants and your people, so that you may know that there is no one like Me in all the earth. For if by now I had sent forth My hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, you would then have been wiped out from the earth. But, indeed, for this reason I have caused you to stand, in order to show you My power and in order to recount My name through all the earth. (Exodus 9.14 – 16, LSB)

• A story for the Israelites to tell

Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Come to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants with firmness, that I may set these signs of Mine among them, and that you may recount in the hearing of your son and of your grandson, how I dealt severely with the Egyptians, and how I put My signs among them, that you may know that I am Yahweh.” (Exodus 10.1, 2, LSB)