The 10 Plagues
150 Bible Basics
The catastrophic judgment God brought upon Egypt as Pharaoh refused to let the people of Israel journey to worship God (Exodus 7–12).
These plagues occurred in three phases of three before the final one, with Pharaoh’s hardening occurring between each phase. The plagues ended with God killing all the firstborn in Egypt, even down to the cattle (12:29).
In 4:22-23, God preemptively gave His reason for the plagues, particularly the death of the firstborn: “Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Israel is My son, My firstborn. So I say to you, let My son go that he may serve Me. But if you refuse to let him go, indeed I will kill your son, your firstborn.”’”
Just as Pharaoh had claimed God’s firstborn as his own, God took Pharaoh’s firstborn as His own. As Pharaoh had killed Israel’s children, God brought death on Egypt’s children.
There were multiple purposes given for the plagues, but ultimately they served one central motivation: “And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the children of Israel from among them” (7:5). God works to His own glory. Whether by His kindness or by His severity, His character is seen.
Update
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