Exodus 8:16-19 (ESV)

16 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, so that it may become gnats in all the land of Egypt.’” 17 And they did so. Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the earth, and there were gnats on man and beast. All the dust of the earth became gnats in all the land of Egypt. 18 The magicians tried by their secret arts to produce gnats, but they could not. So there were gnats on man and beast. 19 Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.

The plagues can be grouped into three groups of three with the final tenth plague being God’s last mighty act.  The final plague in each triad is characterized by its brevity and by God’s act of judgment without any consultation with Pharoah.  The events most likely occurred in the presence of Pharoah, as the magicians themselves were present.

​As noted, the third plague is brought upon the land of Egypt without any speech to Pharoah.  In this short paragraph, the only mention of Pharaoh is the magician’s admission that they could not replicate YAHWEH’s mighty work and that he once again hardened his heart. 

How does the magician’s failure to copy this plague demonstrate God’s power?

Exodus 8:20-32 (ESV)

20 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Rise up early in the morning and present yourself to Pharaoh, as he goes out to the water, and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. 21 Or else, if you will not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and your servants and your people, and into your houses. And the houses of the Egyptians shall be filled with swarms of flies, and also the ground on which they stand. 22 But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where my people dwell, so that no swarms of flies shall be there, that you may know that I am the Lord in the midst of the earth.[a] 23 Thus I will put a division[b] between my people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall happen.”’” 24 And the Lord did so. There came great swarms of flies into the house of Pharaoh and into his servants' houses. Throughout all the land of Egypt the land was ruined by the swarms of flies.

25 Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and said, “Go, sacrifice to your God within the land.” 26 But Moses said, “It would not be right to do so, for the offerings we shall sacrifice to the Lord our God are an abomination to the Egyptians. If we sacrifice offerings abominable to the Egyptians before their eyes, will they not stone us? 27 We must go three days' journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the Lord our God as he tells us.” 28 So Pharaoh said, “I will let you go to sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilderness; only you must not go very far away. Plead for me.” 29 Then Moses said, “Behold, I am going out from you and I will plead with the Lord that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, tomorrow. Only let not Pharaoh cheat again by not letting the people go to sacrifice to the Lord.” 30 So Moses went out from Pharaoh and prayed to the Lord. 31 And the Lord did as Moses asked, and removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; not one remained. 32 But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and did not let the people go.

As the second cycle of plagues begin, God sends flies to the land of Egypt.  However, this time God makes a distinction between the Egyptians and Israelites.  The flies only swarmed the land of Egypt but did not settle upon the land of Goshen, where the Israelites lived.  Pharoah seems to relent and decides to allow the Israelites to leave and worship.  But once again, after the plague is lifted, Pharoah hardens his heart, just as he did after relief from the frogs. 

​The swarms of the both the gnats and flies refers to the dust of the earth found in Genesis.  As the plagues intensify so does the reminder to the people that God holds creation in His hands.  He not only creates, but he can de-create as well. 

1. Why didn’t Moses want to make sacrifices to the Lord within the land of Egypt?
2. Did the magicians of Pharoah try to copy this plague?  Do you think the magicians will copy any more plagues?
   
   *Pharaoh is a reminder of the hardness of our hearts.  Let’s acknowledge our need for God’s mercy.

Exodus 9:1-7 (ESV)

1 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. 2 For if you refuse to let them go and still hold them, 3 behold, the hand of the Lord will fall with a very severe plague upon your livestock that are in the field, the horses, the donkeys, the camels, the herds, and the flocks. 4 But the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that nothing of all that belongs to the people of Israel shall die.”’” 5 And the Lord set a time, saying, “Tomorrow the Lord will do this thing in the land.” 6 And the next day the Lord did this thing. All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one of the livestock of the people of Israel died. 7 And Pharaoh sent, and behold, not one of the livestock of Israel was dead. But the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.

In the fifth plague God continues to make a distinction between the land of Egypt and the land of Israel.  Only the Egyptian livestock die but all the livestock of the Israelites remain healthy!  And yet Pharoah still hardens his heart. 

​In verse 2 the Lord says, Let my people go, that they may serve me.  God is claiming his covenant relationship over the Israelites and reminding them of their duty to serve him.  The Hebrew word, to serve, literally means to work.  The Israelites worship to the Lord is quite literally their good work.  Worshipping, working, or serving God is our good response to God’s faithful redemption of His people.

1. Any mention of the magicians?  Any reason why they’re absent?
2. The Israelites only role in their redemption is their groaning.  We are saved by grace and not by works.  God saves us that we may gladly worship/serve him.  In what ways have you set personal/corporate times to worship/serve God?
   

Exodus 6:14-30

14 These are the heads of their fathers' houses: the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi; these are the clans of Reuben. 15 The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul, the son of a Canaanite woman; these are the clans of Simeon. 16 These are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, the years of the life of Levi being 137 years. 17 The sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei, by their clans. 18 The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, the years of the life of Kohath being 133 years. 19 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites according to their generations. 20 Amram took as his wife Jochebed his father's sister, and she bore him Aaron and Moses, the years of the life of Amram being 137 years. 21 The sons of Izhar: Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri. 22 The sons of Uzziel: Mishael, Elzaphan, and Sithri. 23 Aaron took as his wife Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab and the sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 24 The sons of Korah: Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph; these are the clans of the Korahites. 25 Eleazar, Aaron's son, took as his wife one of the daughters of Putiel, and she bore him Phinehas. These are the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites by their clans.
26 These are the Aaron and Moses to whom the Lord said: “Bring out the people of Israel from the land of Egypt by their hosts.” 27 It was they who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt about bringing out the people of Israel from Egypt, this Moses and this Aaron.
28 On the day when the Lord spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt, 29 the Lord said to Moses, “I am the Lord; tell Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say to you.” 30 But Moses said to the Lord, “Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips. How will Pharaoh listen to me?”

​Genealogies are an overlooked but vital instrument in telling the story of God’s redemption.  The list of tongue-twisting names demonstrates God’s ongoing fulfilment of His promises.  At times, the biblical writer list names to show that God has indeed made Israelites as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore.  In Genesis 46, Jacob blesses his sons, revealing the promised descendants of Abraham.  1 Chronicles catalogs the names of all the Israelites from Adam to the post-exilic community, linking their heritage to the same Abrahamic promise. 

Genealogies are also employed to verify the lineage of the three important roles of Prophet, Priest, and King.  Our passage today links Moses and Aaron to the Levitical priestly line.  Aaron and his sons are to be the priests over the temple of God, offering sacrifices from their community, standing as an intercessor between God and them.  Both were deliberately chosen from the tribe of Levi whose sole responsibility would be the care of the tabernacle and then the temple of God.

​What about a genealogy for prophets?  No tribe was designated as a prophetic tribe.  God would call each prophet according to the needs of the time and from wherever He pleased.  In Genesis 7:1, Moses is called a prophet and would be the mouthpiece for the Lord.  No one would surpass Moses as the greatest prophet (Deuteronomy 34:1-12) until the coming of Christ.

​God’s faithfulness to each of our families looks different.  Who in your families have been Christian?  Pray for your families and the generations to come.

Challenge: Test your Bible Knowledge: Do you recognize any names in the genealogy? 

Exodus 7:14-25

14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh's heart is hardened; he refuses to let the people go. 15 Go to Pharaoh in the morning, as he is going out to the water. Stand on the bank of the Nile to meet him, and take in your hand the staff that turned into a serpent. 16 And you shall say to him, ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, sent me to you, saying, “Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness.” But so far, you have not obeyed. 17 Thus says the Lord, “By this you shall know that I am the Lord: behold, with the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water that is in the Nile, and it shall turn into blood. 18 The fish in the Nile shall die, and the Nile will stink, and the Egyptians will grow weary of drinking water from the Nile.”’” 19 And the Lord said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt, over their rivers, their canals, and their ponds, and all their pools of water, so that they may become blood, and there shall be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, even in vessels of wood and in vessels of stone.’”
20 Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded. In the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants he lifted up the staff and struck the water in the Nile, and all the water in the Nile turned into blood. 21 And the fish in the Nile died, and the Nile stank, so that the Egyptians could not drink water from the Nile. There was blood throughout all the land of Egypt. 22 But the magicians of Egypt did the same by their secret arts. So Pharaoh's heart remained hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said. 23 Pharaoh turned and went into his house, and he did not take even this to heart. 24 And all the Egyptians dug along the Nile for water to drink, for they could not drink the water of the Nile.
25 Seven full days passed after the Lord had struck the Nile.

The first plague targeted the Nile River, the source of water for drinking and agriculture.  When Aaron took his staff and stretched his hands, not only the Nile but every water source became blood.  The Nile smelled since all the fish died and the only source of drinking water was found along the Nile.  God had challenged the Egyptian gods of the Nile: Hapi, Isis, and Khnua.  God alone is sovereign over water and hence over all of life.  

A refrain that will echo throughout the ten plagues is the hardness of Pharoah’s heart.  No matter how much God would demonstrate his power, Pharoah refused to allow the Israelites to leave and worship Him.  Even the magicians of Egypt would copy the miracles, confirming to Pharoah that the Egyptian gods were just as powerful.  The stubbornness of Pharoah’s heart will be on full display through the ten plagues.  God will eventually show him, Egypt, and the Israelites, that He stands alone as the Sovereign God.

1. Did Pharoah harden his own heart, or did God harden his heart (Ex 7:3)? (tough question!)
   
2. We often forget to see God’s hand at work all around us, attributing good fortune to our efforts, luck, or other people’s generosity.  How can we remind ourselves that God is always active in our lives?
   
   Challenge: Throughout the devotionals on the plagues, see if you can list them in order each time!
   

Exodus 8:1-15

​Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. 2 But if you refuse to let them go, behold, I will plague all your country with frogs. 3 The Nile shall swarm with frogs that shall come up into your house and into your bedroom and on your bed and into the houses of your servants and your people, and into your ovens and your kneading bowls. 4 The frogs shall come up on you and on your people and on all your servants.”’” 5 And the Lord said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your hand with your staff over the rivers, over the canals and over the pools, and make frogs come up on the land of Egypt!’” 6 So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt. 7 But the magicians did the same by their secret arts and made frogs come up on the land of Egypt.
8 Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and said, “Plead with the Lord to take away the frogs from me and from my people, and I will let the people go to sacrifice to the Lord.” 9 Moses said to Pharaoh, “Be pleased to command me when I am to plead for you and for your servants and for your people, that the frogs be cut off from you and your houses and be left only in the Nile.” 10 And he said, “Tomorrow.” Moses said, “Be it as you say, so that you may know that there is no one like the Lord our God. 11 The frogs shall go away from you and your houses and your servants and your people. They shall be left only in the Nile.” 12 So Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh, and Moses cried to the Lord about the frogs, as he had agreed with Pharaoh.[d] 13 And the Lord did according to the word of Moses. The frogs died out in the houses, the courtyards, and the fields. 14 And they gathered them together in heaps, and the land stank. 15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart and would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.

Pharoah refused to let Israel go after the first plague, and so the Lord sent frogs upon the entire land of Egypt.  For the third time, the magicians of the Egyptians copied this miracle.  This time, Pharoah recognizes that even if his magicians could perform a cheap copy, they could not make the frogs go away.  Pharoah appeals to Moses and says he would let the Israelites go if he would stop the plague.  Moses appeals to the Lord and the frogs begin to die.  But after Pharoah sees that the plague had stopped, he changes his mind and hardens his heart once more.  He did not release the Israelites.

The plague of frogs is again a challenge against Egypt’s polytheism.  Hapt is the goddess of fertility pictured as a frog.  Yet God is the one who is sovereign over the fertility of the people.  Perhaps God is telling Pharoah that he cannot control the population of Israel.  God is the one who blesses or curses nations.

After two plagues, the smell of dead fish and dead frogs would be overwhelming.  A reminder to the Egyptians that their gods of the Nile and fertility were no match for the God of Israel.  As God’s people we unfortunately allow ourselves to live with the stench of disobedience and sin—selfishness, pride, lust, hatred, etc…. What ways can we help each other hate sin and love righteousness?

​Challenge: What are the four Egyptian god names we encountered so far?

Exodus 4:10-17

10 But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” 11 Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” 13 But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” 14 Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. 16 He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. 17 And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.”

​Moses feared speaking to Pharoah and his people.  He describes himself as “slow of speech and of tongue.”  You would think that God would be understanding, but instead He was angry with Moses.  God wanted Moses to trust in Him.  God wanted Moses to know that He could use his weaknesses to proclaim His words.  Luke 19:40 states that even if all remained silent, the rocks would cry out! In Numbers 21:30, even Balaam’s donkey speaks out against his master’s foolishness.  Yet God is merciful and allows Aaron to be his mouthpiece.  God uses this opportunity to demonstrate the prophetic role.  As Moses is the one who speaks for God, so Aaron will be on the one who speaks for Moses.

1. ​Why do you think Moses was fearful to speak?  Can you relate with him?
   
2. Moses is not the perfect prophet, but God still equips him and partners with him for his purposes.  How does this give you confidence to serve God?

Exodus 5:1-22

Afterward Moses and Aaron went and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.’” 2 But Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and moreover, I will not let Israel go.” 3 Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please let us go a three days' journey into the wilderness that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God, lest he fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword.” 4 But the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people away from their work? Get back to your burdens.” 5 And Pharaoh said, “Behold, the people of the land are now many,[a] and you make them rest from their burdens!” 6 The same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their foremen, 7 “You shall no longer give the people straw to make bricks, as in the past; let them go and gather straw for themselves. 8 But the number of bricks that they made in the past you shall impose on them, you shall by no means reduce it, for they are idle. Therefore they cry, ‘Let us go and offer sacrifice to our God.’ 9 Let heavier work be laid on the men that they may labor at it and pay no regard to lying words.”
10 So the taskmasters and the foremen of the people went out and said to the people, “Thus says Pharaoh, ‘I will not give you straw. 11 Go and get your straw yourselves wherever you can find it, but your work will not be reduced in the least.’” 12 So the people were scattered throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw. 13 The taskmasters were urgent, saying, “Complete your work, your daily task each day, as when there was straw.” 14 And the foremen of the people of Israel, whom Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten and were asked, “Why have you not done all your task of making bricks today and yesterday, as in the past?”
15 Then the foremen of the people of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh, “Why do you treat your servants like this? 16 No straw is given to your servants, yet they say to us, ‘Make bricks!’ And behold, your servants are beaten; but the fault is in your own people.” 17 But he said, “You are idle, you are idle; that is why you say, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord.’ 18 Go now and work. No straw will be given you, but you must still deliver the same number of bricks.” 19 The foremen of the people of Israel saw that they were in trouble when they said, “You shall by no means reduce your number of bricks, your daily task each day.” 20 They met Moses and Aaron, who were waiting for them, as they came out from Pharaoh; 21 and they said to them, “The Lord look on you and judge, because you have made us stink in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.”
22 Then Moses turned to the Lord and said, “O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? Why did you ever send me?

​Moses and Aaron appear to Pharaoh and says to him, “Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.”  Pharaoh not only refuses the request, but he calls the Israelites lazy for wanting to leave to worship their God!  He tells his taskmaskers to make life difficult for them by not providing the straw they needed to make bricks.  The Israelites failed to make the brick quota and are beaten for their failure.  They turn to Moses and Aaron and complain that they have become a “stink” to Pharoah.  Moses then turns to God and complains that He has failed to deliver His people.  Can you imagine how frustrated, angry, and demoralized everyone had become.  A word of deliverance from Moses had become a word of punishment.  Yet, God is always present.  His ways may not be ours, but deliverance will come for Israel.  Today, we celebrate our deliverance from sin and death through Christ’s sacrifice.  When things don’t go right for us, we know that God’s redemptive plan for us will not be thwarted.  God will sanctify us and we will bask in His presence now and forevermore. 

1. How angry do you think the Israelites were at Moses & Aaron? Can you relate?
   
2. How do you react when things go wrong?  How can we help each other to trust in God?