Scripture: Exodus 7:14–8:19
Today, we continue our journey through the story of the Exodus—a story not just of judgment and deliverance, but of a God who is patient, powerful, and persistent in calling people to repentance. Our focus is Exodus 7:14 through 8:19, where we encounter the first three of the ten plagues God sent upon Egypt.
These weren’t random disasters. They were targeted strikes—not just against Pharaoh’s stubborn heart, but against Egypt’s entire religious worldview. Through each plague, God was showing that He alone is Lord, not just over Israel, but over all creation.
Let’s walk through these first three plagues, see how they confronted the so-called gods of Egypt, and draw lessons for our own lives—especially about what happens when we ignore God's voice.
The Nile Turns to Blood: From Life to Death (Exodus 7:14–24)
The first plague was a dramatic one. God told Moses to strike the Nile River with his staff, and the water turned to blood. Fish died. The river stank. The Egyptians could not drink. What once was a source of life became a symbol of death and judgment.
Why the Nile? Because the Nile was everything to Egypt. It brought life to their crops, their livestock, and their people. It was also worshiped. The god Hapi was considered the spirit of the Nile. By turning the river to blood, God was declaring: "Hapi is not god—I am."
Also, Pharaoh himself had claimed divine status, and the Nile was considered under his authority. So God was confronting Pharaoh’s supposed power directly.
Lesson 1: When we make anything else our source of life—our career, money, relationships, even ourselves—God may show us that only He is the true source of life.
Frogs Invade the Land (Exodus 8:1–15)
Next, frogs came up from the river in swarms. They filled houses, beds, kitchens, and ovens. This wasn’t just a nuisance—it was a mockery of Egypt’s gods. The frog was sacred to the goddess Heqet, often depicted as a woman with a frog’s head. She was associated with fertility and new life.
Imagine: a god Egypt revered was being turned into a curse. And yet, even after Pharaoh begged for relief and the frogs died, his heart became hard again.
Lesson 2: God may use discomfort to get our attention—but once the discomfort is gone, will we still listen? Or will we, like Pharaoh, go back to our old ways?
We must learn to respond to God's voice not just when life is hard, but even when it's comfortable again.
Dust Becomes Gnats (Exodus 8:16–19)
In the third plague, God told Moses to strike the dust of the earth, and it became gnats (or lice). This time, there was no warning. It was a sudden display of God's sovereignty.
This was another blow to Egyptian religion. The god Geb was believed to rule over the dust and soil of the earth. But God took even the dust—something they thought was under divine protection—and used it as a weapon of judgment.
Even the magicians of Egypt had to admit, “This is the finger of God” (Exodus 8:19). Yet still, Pharaoh’s heart was hard.
Lesson 3: God will often humble us by attacking our pride. But if we refuse to acknowledge Him—even when the truth is right in front of us—we begin to callous our hearts against His grace.
The Danger of a Hardened Heart
Pharaoh didn’t start out completely closed off to God. But each time he resisted, his heart became harder. God’s prompting became easier to ignore.
This is a warning to us. When God convicts us—whether through a sermon, a circumstance, a whisper in our spirit—we must respond. Delaying obedience is dangerous. Ignoring His voice may feel harmless at first, but over time it leads to spiritual deafness.
Hebrews 3:15 says: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”
Do We Listen when God Calls?
The first three plagues were more than punishments. They were revelations—of who God is, of what happens when we ignore Him, and of His power to turn even nature upside down to get our attention.
God turned the Nile from life to death. He turned sacred frogs into a curse. He took the dust and made it a source of misery. Why? Because He loved His people too much to let them stay in slavery—and He loved even Pharaoh too much to let him live in delusion.
Church, God is still speaking today. He still confronts idols. He still calls us to repentance. Let us not be like Pharaoh. Let us be people with soft hearts, ready ears, and willing spirits. Amen.
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