Exodus: From Bondage to Liberty 

Sunday, May 14th 2023 

Exodus 7:8 – 10:29 
Introduction 

God is Sovereign, Superior and in Control 

1. The Plagues, Pharaoh and Us
   “What is an idol? It is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs
   your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only 
   God can give.” Tim Keller 
   “The way forward, out of despair, is to discern the idols of our hearts and our culture. 
   But that will not be enough. The only way to free ourselves from the destructive 
   influence of counterfeit gods is to turn back to the true one. The living God, who 
   revealed himself both at Mount Sinai and on the Cross, is the only Lord who, if you find 
   him, can truly fulfill you, and if you fail him, can truly forgive you.” Tim Keller 
   II. The Plagues, Pharaoh and God 
   7:8-13 – Moses and Aaron approach Pharaoh – Moses staff turns into a snake (Cobra), 
   magicians do the same and his snake swallows up the others. This is a warning sign to 
   Pharaoh and a sign to let him know that God is with Moses. 
   This did not convince Pharoah b/c his magicians did the same thing. We must be 
   careful to discount God’s work and miracles in people’s lives. 
   Plague #1 – The Nile River 
   The Nile which is a source of life, is now becoming a source of death. Dead fish 
   everyone and the smell is overwhelming. 
   Plague #2 – Frogs 
   By not letting the people of Israel go, God bring another plague on Egypt…Frogs! Even 
   the demonic magicians bring frogs…but they can’t make them leave (8:7) 
   Pharaoh calls Moses and Aaron and asked that they take away the frogs. Moses asked 
   him when he wants the frogs gone…Pharaoh says ‘Tomorrow’ – 1 more night with the 
   frogs! 
   Plague #3 – Gnats/Mosquitoes 
   The dust of the earth turns into gnats/mosquitoes bringing discomfort for the Egyptians. 
   8:18,19 – Magicians couldn’t replicate this miracle! They said, “This is the finger of 
   God.” 

Plague #4 – Flies 
The flies destroyed the land of Egypt and make life for them unbearable! 
Pharaoh begins to ‘negotiate’ with Moses…not giving them want they want but want he 
wants from them. 
Plague #5 – Egyptian Livestock Dies 
God’s wrath toward Egypt grows incrementally from irritants to coming economic 
catastrophe! Egyptian livestock is destroyed! Israel’s livestock is not affected by the 
plagues. They are spared from destruction. 
Plague #6 – Boils 
For the first time the Egyptians face a plague on themselves. Boils break out on 
everyone. 
v.11 – The inability of the magicians to stand before Moses is a declaration of their 
ineptness of their gods and their defeat. 
Plague #7 – Hail 
v.14 – “For this time I will send all my plagues on you yourself…” 
These last 3 plagues on the land happen as Moses ‘stretches out his hand (with staff) 
toward heaven.’ 
Plague #8 – Locusts 
The locusts are the final straw of economic disaster upon Egypt. What the hail did not 
destroy the locusts finished off. 
Plague #9 – Darkness 
This plague is very short, no warning to Pharaoh, just God telling Moses to stretch out 
your hand and darkness will come. 
Light is a powerful metaphor in the Bible. It represents light, life, truth, and justice. God 
himself is the light. 
For the Egyptians, darkness was a sign that destruction was at the door. Israel still had 
light the entire time Egypt was in darkness. 
Plague #10 – First Born Dies…unless…Next Week 

III. Conclusion 

God is Sovereign, Superior and in Control