This sermon explores the Ten Plagues (Exodus 7-10), one of the most iconic and disturbing parts of Exodus. The plagues are not random acts of anger but a deliberate act of revelation, raising questions about God's justice, His purpose, and the hardening of Pharaoh's heart.
Scripture References
- Exodus 7:4-5: God's stated purpose: "The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord."
- Exodus 9:15-16: God tells Pharaoh He could have struck him down at once, but "raised you up to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth."
- Exodus 12:12: "On all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments. I am the Lord."
- Exodus 12:38: A "mixed group" (including Egyptians) left with Israel.
- 1 Corinthians 10:19-20: What pagans sacrifice, "they offer to demons and not to God."
- 2 Peter 3:9: "The Lord is not slow... but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."
- Exodus 15:11: Israel's response: "Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods?"
Key Points
- The Purpose of the Plagues: Revelation The plagues are an act of revelation. God's primary stated purpose is "so that the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord." This revelation comes in three forms: Revelation (Yahweh is superior to all gods), Rescue (He fights for His people), and Retribution (He fights against the wicked oppressor).
- Why Ten Plagues? A Patient Judgment God explicitly says He could have wiped Pharaoh out with one plague. He "raised Pharaoh up" to demonstrate His power to the entire world. This "slowness" was an act of patience (cf. 2 Peter 3:9). It turned up the volume, allowing more people—even a "mixed multitude" of Egyptians—to witness His power, repent, and join the rescue.
- A War on the "Gods" of Egypt God wasn't just fighting Pharaoh; He was executing judgment "on all the gods of Egypt." This was a supernatural war against the demonic forces behind the idols (1 Cor. 10:20). Each plague was a targeted attack on a specific Egyptian deity (e.g., Plague 1, Blood, attacked Hapi, the god of the Nile; Plague 2, Frogs, attacked Hecate, the frog-headed fertility goddess).
- The Hardened Heart The text shows a progression: Pharaoh hardens his own heart, then God hardens it. Pharaoh, a wicked ruler, had already chosen his path. God then sovereignly used that stubbornness for His greater purpose: to display His glory to the nations so that more people could be saved.
Conclusion
The Egyptians weren't the only ones with false gods. We have our own idols: success, money, power, independence, and the god of self. Sometimes, God must make war on our gods, exposing our false securities and tearing down the things we trust in. He does this not to destroy us, but to expose our idols until all we have left is Him. This is where true worship begins.
Calls to Action
- Identify Your Idols: What "gods" (security, success, self) are you trusting in?
- See God's Hand: If your "gods" are failing, consider if God is making war on them to draw you to Himself.
- Worship the One True God: Respond as the Israelites did: "Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods?"
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