The Plagues of Egypt and the Call to Listen

"When Life Turns to Death: The Plagues of Egypt and the Call to Listen"

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.

More: Sabbath School EXODUS Lesson 4 - The Plagues

No More Excuses: Trusting God’s Call

 

“No More Excuses: Trusting God’s Call”

Text: Exodus 6:28–7:7

Have you ever been so overwhelmed by what God was asking of you that you started making excuses? Maybe you felt too weak, too unqualified, too sinful, too afraid. If so, you’re in good company. Moses, one of the greatest leaders in Scripture, wrestled with those same feelings. But there came a moment when his excuses no longer stood. In Exodus 6:28–7:7, we see how God gently but firmly brings Moses to that moment of surrender.

Let’s explore this passage and reflect on how God deals with our doubts and hesitations—and what excuses we might still be clinging to.

Moses’ Final Protest (Exodus 6:28–30)

“Now when the Lord spoke to Moses in Egypt, he said to him, ‘I am the Lord. Tell Pharaoh king of Egypt everything I tell you.’ But Moses said to the Lord, ‘Since I speak with faltering lips, why would Pharaoh listen to me?’” (Ex. 6:29–30)

This isn't the first time Moses raised this concern. He had already told God back in Exodus 4 that he wasn’t eloquent. Yet here we are again. He’s still hung up on his perceived inadequacy—what he calls “uncircumcised lips,” a poetic way of saying, “I’m not good at speaking. I’m not the right guy.”

Moses is doing what we often do: rehearsing our weaknesses louder than God’s promises.

God’s Response: Reaffirming the Call (Exodus 7:1–2)

“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet. You are to say everything I command you, and your brother Aaron is to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of his country.’” (Ex. 7:1–2)

God doesn’t argue with Moses. He doesn’t debate his qualifications. He simply restates the plan, this time even more clearly. God appoints Aaron as Moses’ mouthpiece, removing the final excuse.

But did you notice what God says? “I have made you like God to Pharaoh.” What a remarkable statement! Moses, with all his insecurities, is being placed in a position of divine authority. It’s not about Moses’ strength—it’s about God’s power working through him.

God Prepares Moses for the Hard Road Ahead (Exodus 7:3–5)

“But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart... and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I stretch out my hand...”

God does not sugarcoat the mission. Pharaoh’s heart will be hard. This won’t be easy. But success isn’t measured by immediate results—it’s measured by obedience and by God's glory revealed.

God prepares Moses not for ease, but for endurance.

Moses Obeys (Exodus 7:6–7)

“Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord commanded them.”

This is a turning point. No more excuses. No more back-and-forth. Just obedience.

Even more interesting is the note in verse 7:

“Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three when they spoke to Pharaoh.”

You’re never too old to start following God’s call. Moses’ life was just beginning in many ways. When we stop making excuses, God can begin to use us in powerful ways, no matter our age or past.

What Are Our Excuses Today?

Let’s bring this home: what are the excuses we use when God calls us?

• “I’m too young/old.” Moses was 80. God isn't checking your age.

• “I don’t speak well.” God gave Moses Aaron. He gives us help too.

• “I’m too sinful.” God forgives and restores. He doesn’t call the perfect—He perfects the called.

• “People won’t listen to me.” It’s not our job to ensure the outcome—only to obey.

• “I’m afraid.” So was Moses. But God was patient with him and powerful through him.

Whatever your excuse is, God has already made provision for it.

How About Us?

Moses ran out of excuses. And when he finally submitted, God did incredible things through him—not because Moses was strong, but because God was faithful.

What about us? What is God calling you to do? To speak truth where there’s compromise? To forgive where there’s hurt? To serve where there’s a need? To surrender where there’s resistance?

Let us lay down our excuses today.
Let us trust the God who equips the called.
Let us say, as Moses eventually did—not with words, but with action—“Here I am, Lord. I’ll do what You say.”

Prayer:

“Lord, we confess that we often make excuses when You call us. We doubt, we fear, we resist. But You are patient, and You are powerful. Today, help us to surrender our excuses and obey Your voice. Use us, in our weakness, to show Your strength. In Jesus’ name, amen.”