“And 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.” – Exodus 8:1
Bible Verses About The Ten Plagues
The Purpose of the Plagues
When we think about the Ten Plagues of Egypt, it is essential to remember the divine purpose behind them. The plagues were not random events; they served to demonstrate God’s power over Pharaoh and the Egyptian gods. Each plague challenged the false deities that the Egyptians believed in, showing that the God of Israel was the true and sovereign Lord. Through these events, we see God’s desire for His people to be released from bondage so they could worship Him freely.
Exodus 7:17
“Thus says the Lord, ‘By this you shall know that I am the Lord: Behold, I will strike the waters that are in the river with the rod that is in my hand, and they shall be turned to blood.” – Exodus 7:17
Exodus 7:5
“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.” – Exodus 7:5
Exodus 9:14
“For this time I will send all my plagues on you yourself, and on your servants and your people, so that you may know that there is none like me in all the earth.” – Exodus 9:14
Exodus 10:2
“And that you may tell in the hearing of your son and of your son’s son the mighty things I have done in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them, that you may know that I am the Lord.” – Exodus 10:2
Exodus 8:22
“And in that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, in order that you may know that I am the Lord in the midst of the land.” – Exodus 8:22
The Signs of God’s Power
The plagues revealed God’s unmatched power and authority over creation. Each plague served as a sign and a wonder that validated His word and judgment against Egypt. As believers, we can be encouraged by God’s ability to intervene in human affairs, proving His strength and sovereignty. This is a reminder for us to trust in God’s mighty capabilities, knowing He cares for His people and is always fighting for us.
Exodus 7:3
“And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.” – Exodus 7:3
Exodus 4:21
“And the Lord said to Moses, ‘When you go back to Egypt, see that you do all those wonders before Pharaoh which I have put in your hand. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.” – Exodus 4:21
Exodus 8:19
“Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, ‘This is the finger of God.’ But Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, just as the Lord had said.” – Exodus 8:19
Exodus 9:16
“But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show my power in you, and that my name may be declared in all the earth.” – Exodus 9:16
Exodus 10:1
“Now the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go in to Pharaoh; for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants, that I may show these signs of mine before him.'” – Exodus 10:1
The Consequences of Disobedience
As we reflect on the Ten Plagues, we see clear consequences for Pharaoh’s stubbornness and disobedience. God persistently reached out to Pharaoh, urging him to let His people go, but Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened. As a result, catastrophic judgment fell upon Egypt. This teaches us an important lesson: disobedience to God can lead to dire consequences, while obedience leads to blessings and freedom. We must strive to heed God’s voice and follow His commands in our lives.
Exodus 7:22
“And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments; and Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, as the Lord had said.” – Exodus 7:22
Exodus 9:12
“But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not heed them, just as the Lord had spoken to Moses.” – Exodus 9:12
Exodus 8:15
“But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not heed them, as the Lord had said.” – Exodus 8:15
Exodus 9:35
“So the heart of Pharaoh was hard; neither would he let the children of Israel go, as the Lord had spoken through Moses.” – Exodus 9:35
Exodus 10:20
“But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the children of Israel go.” – Exodus 10:20
The Mercy of God
Even in the midst of the plagues, we can see God’s mercy shining through. Each plague was an opportunity for Pharaoh to repent and acknowledge the power of God. God was patient, allowing Pharaoh time to change his mind. This shows us that God desires everyone to turn to Him and experience His mercy. We need to remind each other that, no matter the situation, God’s love and mercy are always available to us, calling us to repentance and restoration.
Exodus 8:10
“So he said, ‘Tomorrow.’ And he said, ‘Let it be according to your word, that you may know that there is no one like the Lord our God.'” – Exodus 8:10
Exodus 9:27
“Then Pharaoh sent and called for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, ‘I have sinned this time. The Lord is righteous, and my people and I are wicked.'” – Exodus 9:27
Exodus 10:17
“Now therefore, forgive, I pray, my sin only this once, and entreat the Lord your God that He may take away from me this death only.” – Exodus 10:17
Exodus 8:8
“Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, ‘Entreat the Lord that He may take away the frogs from me and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may sacrifice to the Lord.'” – Exodus 8:8
Exodus 9:29
“So Moses said to him, ‘As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands to the Lord; the thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, that you may know that the earth is the Lord’s.'” – Exodus 9:29
God’s Faithfulness to His Promises
Throughout the story of the Ten Plagues, we witness God’s faithfulness to His promises. God had made a commitment to bring His people out of Egypt, and He was true to His word despite the challenges. This encourages us to trust in God’s promises for our own lives. When we feel lost or doubt, we can draw strength from the assurance that God is always reliable and will fulfill His plans for us.
Exodus 3:20
“So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in its midst; and after that, he will let you go.” – Exodus 3:20
Exodus 6:6
“Therefore say to the children of Israel: ‘I am the Lord; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.’” – Exodus 6:6
Exodus 12:12
“For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt, I will execute judgment: I am the Lord.” – Exodus 12:12
Exodus 14:14
“The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” – Exodus 14:14
Exodus 12:51
“And it came to pass on that very same day that the Lord brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt according to their armies.” – Exodus 12:51
The Last Plague and Deliverance
The final plague is perhaps the most intense and significant. The death of the firstborn in Egypt marked a pivotal moment for the Israelites and their deliverance. God provided a way of escape through the blood of the lamb, which foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. This act of salvation highlights God’s love and commitment to freeing His people. We are reminded today of our own deliverance through the sacrifice of Jesus, who is our Passover Lamb.
Exodus 12:13
“Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.” – Exodus 12:13
Exodus 12:23
“For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you.” – Exodus 12:23
Exodus 12:29
“And it came to pass at midnight that the Lord struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon.” – Exodus 12:29
Exodus 12:31
“Then he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, ‘Rise, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel. And go, serve the Lord, as you have said.'” – Exodus 12:31
Exodus 14:30
“Thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.” – Exodus 14:30
Final Thoughts
Reflecting on the Ten Plagues truly brings to light the might and mercy of God. Each plague served as a reminder of His incredible power, mercy, and unwavering faithfulness to His people. We can find encouragement in knowing that God dealt harshly with Pharaoh’s defiance while simultaneously extending opportunities for repentance. In our own lives, we can find hope in God’s faithfulness to His promises and His ultimate purpose for deliverance.
As we face our personal challenges, let us remember that just like Israel, we are never forsaken. God is always ready to help us overcome our struggles. For those seeking further understanding, I invite you to check out additional passages about the plagues, like Exodus 9 and Exodus 8:2. Keep trusting in God and His perfect plan for your life!
Let us come together as a community of believers, encouraging each other to remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that the Lord has great plans for us, just as He did for the Israelites during their escape from slavery.