I.Why the Plagues?

‬“Then Pharaoh sent and called Moses and Aaron and said to them, "This time I have sinned; the Lord is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong.”
Exodus 9:27

“Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go?”
Exodus 5:2

“But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.”
Exodus 9:16

All of the Signs and Miracles would amount to Israel, Egypt, and future generations to be without an excuse for a lack of faith and obedience.

“For the wrath of God
is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress
the truth...

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”
Romans 1:18-20

II. Plague Overview:

Staff Into a Snake:

• Warning is given to Pharaoh.
• Magicians are able to replicate this sign.
• Pharaoh's heart became hard.

Water Into Blood:

• Warning is given to Pharaoh.
• Magicians are able to replicate this plague.
• Pharaoh's heart became hard.

Frogs:

• Warning is given to Pharaoh.
• Magicians are able to replicate this plague.
• Pharaoh's hardened his own heart.

Gnats:

• No Warning is given to Pharaoh.
• Magicians cannot replicate this plague.
• Pharaoh's heart was hard.

“And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
Luke 11:19-20

Flies:

• Warning is given to Pharaoh.
• Pharaoh wants to make a deal by sacrificing in Egypt.
• Israel is set apart from this plague.
• Pharaoh's hardened his own heart.

Livestock:

• Warning is given to Pharaoh.
• Israel is set apart from this plague.
• Pharaoh's heart is unyielding.

Boils:

• No warning is given to Pharaoh.
• Magicians cannot replicate this plague or stand before Moses.
• Pharaoh's heart is hardened by the Lord.

Hail:

• Warning is given to Pharaoh.
• The gospel message is preached and those who obey the voice of the Lord are saved from calamity.
• Israel is set apart from this plague.
• Pharaoh's hardened his own heart.

Locust:

• Warning is given to Pharaoh.
• Pharaohs council pleads with him to submit but his repentance is shallow and fruitless.
• Pharaoh's heart is hardened by the Lord.

Darkness:

• No warning is given to Pharaoh.
• Israel is set apart from this plague.
• Pharaoh's heart is hardened by the Lord.

Death of the Firstborn:

• Final warning is given to Pharaoh.
• All who listen and beleive in the command of the Lord are saved.
• Pharaoh's heart is hardened by the Lord.

So powerful was the ruler of this age that it took a supernatural power in order to free God's people.

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”
1 John 5:4-5

III. Hard Hearts like Pharaoh:

“Then whoever feared the word of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh hurried his slaves and his livestock into the houses, but whoever did not pay attention to the word of the Lord left his slaves and his livestock in the field.”
Exodus 9:20-21

“Then Pharaoh's servants said to him, "How long shall this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve the Lord their God. Do you not yet understand that Egypt is ruined?"”
Exodus 10:7

How do we react when God tells us what to do?

Not every catastrophe is God's punishment… but God is always purposeful in using pain, catastrophe, and hard hearts to leave lasting impressions in our lives. Being set apart is not being set apart merely from suffering in this life but we are set apart to be delivered through suffering.

Don’t be like Pharaoh and add another nail in the coffin but today by the grace of God be raised to life leaving it empty.