After laying the foundation yesterday for our study on the plagues in Egypt, we will get right into the first plague.
Moses and Aaron had asked that the children of Israel be allowed to leave. Pharaoh refused. Moses performed several miracles to prove that he was sent from God, but when the magicians of Egypt could do the same acts, Pharaoh refused to listen. One morning as Pharaoh walked beside the Nile river, Moses and Aaron met him. Once again, Moses spoke, "God says to 'Let my people go'!" Pharaoh obviously ignored this command, so Moses did as he was directed by God. He raised his rod over the river and directed that the waters be turned into blood. And, right then, the waters became blood. The water in the rivers, streams, and ponds, even the water that had been collected in containers of wood and stone was affected. All their water was turned to blood. Just one word....gross.
Some commentators say this was metaphorical and that the water wasn't really blood. Girls, don't ever try to be smarter than God! First of all, God says it was turned to blood. That settles it. Now, the Scriptures go on to say that the water "stank" and that all the fish died. But, if this was a metaphor, why would the water stink and why would fish die?
This was a terrible plague that affected everyone. But, was there a particular reason for this particular plague? I have read that the plague was directed at the Egyptian's water supply to target three different gods of their beloved Nile river. Whether this was the intent of God, I cannot say. As terrible the plague though, when Pharaoh asked the magicians to duplicate the plague, they, too, were able to turn water into blood. This is crazy to me. As if it weren't bad enough that all their water supply had been turned to blood, to prove a point, Pharaoh asked the magicians to duplicate the plague. And, they did! So, now more blood water! Pharaoh wasn't moved at all. The Bible says he turned around and left.
For 7 days the blood water remained. What an awful judgment from God---but still not enough to turn Pharaoh's heart.
Scripture Reading for the Day:
Proverbs 25
Moses and Aaron had asked that the children of Israel be allowed to leave. Pharaoh refused. Moses performed several miracles to prove that he was sent from God, but when the magicians of Egypt could do the same acts, Pharaoh refused to listen. One morning as Pharaoh walked beside the Nile river, Moses and Aaron met him. Once again, Moses spoke, "God says to 'Let my people go'!" Pharaoh obviously ignored this command, so Moses did as he was directed by God. He raised his rod over the river and directed that the waters be turned into blood. And, right then, the waters became blood. The water in the rivers, streams, and ponds, even the water that had been collected in containers of wood and stone was affected. All their water was turned to blood. Just one word....gross.
Some commentators say this was metaphorical and that the water wasn't really blood. Girls, don't ever try to be smarter than God! First of all, God says it was turned to blood. That settles it. Now, the Scriptures go on to say that the water "stank" and that all the fish died. But, if this was a metaphor, why would the water stink and why would fish die?
This was a terrible plague that affected everyone. But, was there a particular reason for this particular plague? I have read that the plague was directed at the Egyptian's water supply to target three different gods of their beloved Nile river. Whether this was the intent of God, I cannot say. As terrible the plague though, when Pharaoh asked the magicians to duplicate the plague, they, too, were able to turn water into blood. This is crazy to me. As if it weren't bad enough that all their water supply had been turned to blood, to prove a point, Pharaoh asked the magicians to duplicate the plague. And, they did! So, now more blood water! Pharaoh wasn't moved at all. The Bible says he turned around and left.
For 7 days the blood water remained. What an awful judgment from God---but still not enough to turn Pharaoh's heart.
Scripture Reading for the Day:
Proverbs 25
Revelation 4
God is capable of so much!
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