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Daily Bible - The Plagues

Today's reading is found in Exodus 7:14 to Exodus 9:35.

The plagues begin. The Nile River has always been important to Egypt and that was taken from them for a week as it turned to a channel of blood. Next was a plague of frogs that covered the land of Egypt. This was enough to get Pharaoh to the bargaining table. He agreed to let the Israelites go once the frogs were gone and they all died the following day. What a mess! And just imagine the stench! Pharaoh's heart hardened, though, and the Israelites were forced to stay. And why did God harden his heart? If the feats of God were easy, how could His power be demonstrated?

Next came a plague of gnats and a plague of flies. Pharaoh was ready to allow the Israelites to worship in Egypt, but that wouldn't do. Eventually, he made them stay. A plague killing Egyptian livestock wasn't enough to do it, neither was a plague of boils. The hail, though. That got Pharaoh's attention. But when the plague was ended, he once again refused to release the Israelite slaves he held in Goshen. Obviously Egypt was not governed by a democracy, otherwise there would have been some impeaching going on! This is, however, a testament to the political power of Pharaoh. The very fact that he remained in power as his people suffered suggests the true influence the Pharaohs had over Egypt.