Moses’ Story: The First Blow

Exodus 7:14-25

Personal Note: I want to encourage you as you study God’s Word and thank you for joining me on this journey through Scripture. Today, we begin our study of the ten plagues, an amazing display of God’s power, judgment, and grace.

The Ten Signposts of the Bible
CAMDE—400—CALY
Creation. Abraham. MOSES. David. Elijah. 400. Christ. Apostles. Letters. Yet-to Come.

MOSES: Israel enslaved. Moses rescued. In Midian. Burning bush. Excuses.

The date is 1446 BC. The place is Egypt. The interaction is between Moses and Pharaoh. As always, the central figure is God—the powerful and personal God of Israel. 

During the first forty years of Moses’ life, God developed his character and skills in Egypt. The next forty years were spent refining Moses in the desert. Now it’s time to put that training and experience to use. 

Many believe Moses was opposed by the young Pharaoh Amenhotep II. Egypt worshiped many gods, and the pharaoh was considered one of them. His self-importance was further fueled by the nation’s accomplishments in military strength, education, ingenuity, and agriculture, thanks to the fertile land on both sides of the Nile. We still marvel at the construction of the pyramids, a feat that required precise measurements. 

For Moses to demand “Let my people go!” was, from a human standpoint, laughable. Israel’s slave labor was integral to Egypt’s economy. Furthermore, a ruler whose status is marked by adulation as a god is not going to pay attention to a lowly shepherd from Midian. 

God brought ten plagues upon Egypt to persuade the pharaoh. Before we look at the plagues, let’s consider four reasons for them.

God’s Judgment. Sin carries consequences. “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap” (Gal. 6:7). Egypt’s evil actions against Israel would not go unpunished. 

God’s Power. We will see that each plague demonstrated God’s power over one of Egypt’s gods. This was not only for Egypt but also for Israel. After 400 years in Egypt, God’s people needed to be reminded that Yahweh held supreme power over all other gods. God said, “…On all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD” (Ex. 12:12). 

God’s Protection. God said, “I will make a distinction between my people and your people” (Ex. 8:23 NIV). While rebuking Egypt, God spares Goshen, where Israel lives. God dealt with Egypt while protecting his people. 

God’s Deliverance. It is God’s timing for Israel to leave Egypt in fulfillment of his covenant and to make their way to the land he has promised. 

 Let’s examine each plague to understand its significance.  

The First Plague: Water Turned to Blood (Ex. 7:14-25)
The first plague occurred one morning when Pharaoh was going out to the Nile, presumably to bathe and prepare for the day. God instructed Moses to say:  

Exodus 7:16-18
“The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, sent me to you, saying, “Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness.” But so far, you have not obeyed. Thus says the Lord, “By this you shall know that I am the Lord: behold, with the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water that is in the Nile, and it shall turn into blood. The fish in the Nile shall die, and the Nile will stink, and the Egyptians will grow weary of drinking water from the Nile.”” 

God instructed Moses to stretch his staff over the Nile’s waters. Moses obeyed, and the waters turned to blood. “The fish in the Nile died, and the Nile stank, so that the Egyptians could not drink water from the Nile” (Ex. 7:21). 

The plague of the Nile demonstrated God’s power over three Egyptian gods: Hapi—the god of the Nile, Isis—the goddess of the Nile, and Khnum—the guardian of the Nile. The magicians of Egypt replicated the same result through their secret arts (Ex. 7:22). Therefore, “Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened,” and he ignored God’s sign. He “turned and went into his house, and he did not take even this to heart” (Ex. 7:23). 

Seven days passed before the next plague. But let’s stop here today to acknowledge and apply the overarching principle of the plagues. As we study the plagues that struck Egypt in 1446 BC, here’s what I want us to fully grasp: 

God is sovereign and fully capable of delivering you from whatever is holding you down or holding you back. 

So, what is holding you back?

• A sin that keeps mastering you?
• A thin theology and a limited view of God?
• A circumstance that feels inescapable?
• A fear that keeps whispering, “Don’t risk it!”?
• A wound from your past that still shapes your present?
• A disappointment with God you’ve never fully faced?
• A need for control that won’t let you surrender?

God’s story in Moses is one of deliverance. That same sovereign, powerful God is ready to deliver you. 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD 
Read and reflect on Exodus 7:14-25. Where do you need to trust God for deliverance rather than trying to fix the situation yourself or ignoring it?

Talking to God: Talk to God about your need for deliverance.

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