The Ten Plagues

After a discussion between Moses and Aaron and Pharaoh in Exodus 4:18-7:7, we are ready to move on to the story of the ten plagues recorded in Exodus 7:8-11:10. The biblical writer puts down a marker in Exodus 7:7: "Moses was eighty years old and Aaron was eighty-three when they spoke to Pharaoh." Back in the story of the birth of Moses in Exodus 2:1-10, Miriam, Moses' "sister" (Exodus 2:4, 7-8), must have been several years older, because their mother, Jochebed, entrusted baby Moses into the care of his sister as she watched to see what would happen. Possibly she was ten years old or older. If so, she is now ninety years old or older.

Exodus 7:8-13 relates an event preparing the hearer or reader to follow the account of the ten plagues recorded in Exodus 7:14-11:10. Moses and Aaron go to Pharaoh once again, and Pharaoh demands a "wonder" [miracle] from them. At Yahweh's command, Aaron throws down his staff before Pharaoh and the staff becomes a snake. But Pharaoh summons the Egyptian wise men and sorcerers and magicians, and they also do the same thing "by their secret arts." But Aaron's staff swallow up their snakes, and yet "Pharaoh's heart was hardened," and so he would not listen to them, as Yahweh had said. (Exodus 7:8-13).

Before examining each of these ten plagues, let us think of the whole story from Exodus 7:14-11:10. With a little careful study, one will discover a purposeful pattern. The first nine plagues fall into three plagues each. Here is a chart for these first nine plagues.


Occasion: First Three Plagues Second Three Plagues Third Three Plagues
In the morning 1. Water to blood 4. Flies 7. Hail
at the Nile 7:14-25 8:20-32 9:13-35

At Pharaoh's 2. Frogs 5. Livestock Diseased 8. Locusts
palace 8:1-15 9:1-7 10:1-20

Unannounced 3. Gnats 6. Boils 9. Darkness
8:16-19 9:8-12 10:21-29

Purpose: To demonstrate that To prove that Yahweh To show that there
Yahweh is superior is in the land of is no one like
to the Egyptian Egypt--8:22; 9:5, 9. Yahweh in all the
magicians--7:22; earth--9:14, 29;
8:7, 18-19. 10:2, 14, 21-23.

The biblical presentation of this account is intentional. Viewed from left to right, and then viewed from top to bottom, there is a clear sequence. Here are a few observations just to begin our study.
1. This account apparently was composed for dramatic oral presentation before a live audience to hear and view. The repetition and sequence captures the scenes before the eyes of the viewers. The Bible was not primarily WRITTEN for private individuals to be read silently, like in a library; BUT primarily ORAL for public proclamation before a live audience.
2. Theologically, there is a natural movement from: (1) Yahweh's superior to the Egyptian magicians to (2) Yahweh's presence in the land of Egypt to (3) Yahweh's incomparability in all the earth. Any audience or groups of hearers [readers as well] would immediately realize the spiritual truths declared in this tremendous account.
3. These nine plagues prepare for the final "knockout" plague announcing that the firstborn sons of Egypt will die. Exodus 11:1-10.

I hope this will provide a framework or outline for this section of Exodus 7:14-11:10, which we will discuss in forthcoming plagues.

Let me have your thoughts on this.

John Willis