Welcome to the Salt Lake City Yeshuan Branch.
We are gonna pick it up at chapter 7 verse 14.
But first let’s have a prayer, well hear the Word of God set to music, then we will sit in silence and reflect upon our direct unencumbered relationship with the True and Living God.
So, we are going to work through the ten plagues that YAHAVAH had Moses and Aaron pronounce upon Pharaoh as a means to get him to let his people go and in order to teach the Egyptians His name and greatness.
Let’s read starting at verse 14
Exodus 7.14 – 12
December 31st 2023
14 And the LORD said unto Moses, “Pharaoh’s heart is hardened, he refuseth to let the people go.
15 Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river’s brink against he come; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand.
16 And thou shalt say unto him, ‘YAHAVAH, God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, “Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness:” and, behold, hitherto thou would not hear.
17 Thus saith YAHAVAH, In this thou shalt know that I am YAHAVAH: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.
18 And the fish that is in the river shall die, and the river shall stink; and the Egyptians shall loathe to drink of the water of the river.
19 And YAHAVAH spake unto Moses, “Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone.
20 And Moses and Aaron did so, as YAHAVAH commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.
21 And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.
22 And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said.
23 And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also.
24 And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.
25 And seven days were fulfilled, after that the LORD had smitten the river.
YAHAVAH has said that the Egyptians shall know that I am YAHAVAH. It is also believed that each of the plagues we will cover represent a god or idol present in the panoply of Egyptian gods that they served.
But what about this blood? What is the significance? It certainly wasn’t an idol of Egypt, right?
Relative to this act YAHAVAH says:
“By this you will know that I am YAHAVAH: With the staff that is in my hands I will strike the water of the Nile, and it will be changed into blood. The fish in the Nile will die, and the river will stink and the Egyptians will not be able to drink its water.”
To me this is an emblem of life and death – with life represented by the water and death by the shedding or spilling of blood.
Isn’t it fascinating that blood has no real purpose outside the thing it sustains? The Bible plainly states that life is in the blood. Shed it, and there is death. Turn water into blood and this is a Grand Gesture of death.
Exodus 7:17–18 says that Aaron turned the Nile to blood by striking it with his staff.
Amazingly Pharaoh’s magicians used their secret arts to also strike the Nile, creating what we might see as a second layer of blood.
In addition to the Nile, all water that was held in reserve, such as in jars, was also transformed into blood. The Egyptians were forced to dig alongside the bank of the Nile, which apparently still had pure water and one week passed before the plague dissipated.
We might ask ourselves, why was all the water tainted in every place except where the Egyptians dug around the Nile’s edge?
Could it be that in the curse upon the people YAHAVAH remained merciful to those who sought water and that the rock and sand served to filter that water.
In other words the Rock made the water potable?
You decide.
The result here is that the fish that were in the river died, and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river, and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.
Interestingly, water and blood play a unique role in the book of Revelation too?”
In Revelation 8:8-9 we read,
And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood. And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
Then in chapter 11: 3-6 we also read,
“And I will give power unto my two witnesses… These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.”
Then in chapter 16:3-4 of Revelation we read
And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.
Then finally,
And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.
It seems to me that in the Bible water is always the symbol for life. It is also a type for human birth, purity, cleansing, hydration and in that arid land wells, water and everything related to it speaks to living.
At its opposite we have death with is often symbolized by blood. Animal blood, water turned to blood, the shed blood of Christ.
This first plague to me is a foreshadowing of death – both in Exodus and Revelation.
Ironically, the symbol of death, however, shed by Christ, is the symbol of living as well – spiritual life made possible by physical death. This will be typified in the last plague when the lambs blood is put in the doorposts to protect the Nations firstborn from death.
These types are replete throughout the scripture and we could spend a couple weeks on them. But here, the blood is symbolic for death as it directly replaced all the water.
There is something significant, however, in the Lord changing water into wine in His first miracle and in water baptism representing our former life but rising up to new life in Him brought about by His death.
All things to think about but nothing concrete to add.
Anyway, the 2nd curse – Frogs (Exodus 7:25–8:11/15)
Pharaoh didn’t let the people go obviously to this is what YAHAVAH says:
“Let my people go, so that they may worship me. If you refuse to let them go, I will plague your whole country with frogs. The Nile will teem with frogs. They will come up into your palace and your bedroom and onto your bed, into the houses of your officials and on your people, and into your ovens and kneading troughs. The frogs will go up on you and your people and all your officials.”
?Exodus 8:1–4 says that God ordered frogs to emerge from the Nile, which then they jumped around virtually everywhere in Egypt.
The magicians attempted to produce frogs from their secret arts too and were apparently able to conjure up a second wave of them too.
Even the private quarters of Pharaoh was infested with frogs. Three days passed before all the frogs died. The Egyptians had to do a bunch of work to rid themselves of the corpses, and the land stank of frog for long afterwards.
Why frogs?
In The Book Of Revelation 16:13 we read
“And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.”
Obviously, frogs are used as a symbol of “unclean spirits” in Revelation.
Some say this is because they are so ugly looking (when we turn them into types for humans). They say that the frog is an emblem of evil spirits for its rough harsh, croaking voice, wide gaping slippery mouth and vacant eyes; that this voice is a sound of “repeated empty complaint or seduction.
Augustine said that frogs are types for heretics and philosophers. Some say that because frogs are born in the mud and live in the mud they are emblematic of demons of filth and sin; others say that the frog is a symbol of drunkards, bloated croaking and drinking more than they eat.
Finally, some historically suggest that frogs represent pride because of their ability to puff themselves up.
We can see frogs included in the art on the wall for revelation 16.
Third – Lice (or) gnats:
(Ex. 8:12–15/8:16–19)
“And the LORD said […] Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.” […] When Aaron stretched out his hand with the rod and struck the dust of the ground, lice came upon men and animals. All the dust throughout the land of Egypt became lice.
Now, there is no mention of lice in Revelation however many speculate that the two witnesses that are killed and lifted back up in Revelation 11 could represent these as it says they could “smite the earth with all plagues.”
4th Wild animals (and get this . . .) or flies (Exodus 8:16–28/8:20–32)
The fourth plague of Egypt was of creatures capable of harming people and livestock. The Bible tells us that the plagues only came against the Egyptians and did not affect the Israelites.
Pharaoh asked Moses to remove this plague and promised to grant the Israelites their freedom. However, after the plague was gone, Pharaoh hardened his heart and he refused to keep his promise.
What is wild is this plague was either wild animals or flies!
Once again there is no mention of flies in Revelation however many speculate that the two witnesses already mentioned earlier in Rev 11:3-6 could do this… and to smite the earth with all plagues.
However, there is a possible link with Rev 6:8 where it says –
“And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
Flies are not in the actual original Hebrew but instead the word means soemthing like a swarm of mixed things.
This more likely still flies and mosquitoes however the Septuagint describes wild animals such as dogs, jackals, and lions.
5th Pestilence upon livestock: Ex. 9:1–7
This is what YAHAVAH, says:
“Let my people go, so that they may worship me. If you refuse to let them go and continue to hold them back, the hand of YAHAVAH will bring a terrible plague on your livestock in the field—on your horses and donkeys and camels and on your cattle and sheep and goats.”
Here all of the cattle owned by the Egyptians were struck down with diseases and the result was they all died.
The best connection to Revelation references what we looked at above where it says,
“And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death (other translations say disease, pestilence), and with the beasts of the earth. (Rev 6:8)
6. Boils: Ex. 9:8–12
The Sixth Plague:
Then YAHAVAH said to Moses and Aaron,
“Take handfuls of soot from a furnace and have Moses toss it into the air in the presence of Pharaoh. It will become fine dust over the whole land of Egypt, and festering boils will break out on men and animals throughout the land.”
Boils are not specifically named in Revelation but sores are in chapter 16:11
“And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.”
That is the same chapter of the frogs.
7. Thunderstorm of hail and fire: Ex. 9:13–35
This is what YAHAVAH says:
“Let my people go, so that they may worship me, or this time I will send the full force of my plagues against you and against your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no one like me in all the earth. For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth. But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. You still set yourself against my people and will not let them go. Therefore, at this time tomorrow I will send the worst hailstorm that has ever fallen on Egypt, from the day it was founded till now. Give an order now to bring your livestock and everything you have in the field to a place of shelter, because the hail will fall on every man and animal that has not been brought in and is still out in the field, and they will die. […] YAHAVAH sent thunder and hail, and lightning flashed down to the ground. So YAHAVAH rained hail on the land of Egypt; hail fell and lightning flashed back and forth. It was the worst storm in all the land of Egypt since it had become a nation.
In Revelation 8:7, the first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.
8. Then we have the good old Locusts: Ex. 10:1–20
This is what YAHAVAH says:
‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, so that they may worship me. If you refuse to let them go, I will bring locusts into your country tomorrow. They will cover the face of the ground so that it cannot be seen. They will devour what little you have left after the hail, including every tree that is growing in your fields. They will fill your houses and those of all your officials and all the Egyptians—something neither your fathers nor your forefathers have ever seen from the day they settled in this land till now.”
Locusts In The Book Of Revelation
And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. (Rev 9:3)
Just to let you know, locusts in the middle east are fugly creatures and even as recent as the 1915 the land from Syria to Palestine have been routed by swarms of these voracious beasts.
These are seen as coming out of the smoking pit and are often a precursor to famine. The hail had pummeled the crops to bits – now the locusts came into finish the job.
That didn’t work so we get to the penultumate curse . . .
9. Three days of darkness: Ex. 10:21–29
There YAHAVAH says to Moses,
“Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness will spread over Egypt—darkness that can be felt.”
So, Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days. No one could see anyone else or leave his place for three days.
Darkness In The Book Of Revelation is described in the same chapter as frogs and boils – the 16th
And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain. (Rev 16:10)
Of course, when Yeshua was on the cross there was three hours of Darkness which for me was the precursor to the death of YAHAVAH’s first born Son just as this Darkness of three days would be the precursor to the death of all the firstborn sons in Egypt.
And that brings us to the last curse.
10. Death of the firstborn son: Ex. 11:1–12:36
Chapter 11 is only 10 verses long and since it is the central curse upon which the Passover is based, lets read it and cover its highlights as we go.
So, we read,
11:1 And the LORD (had) said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let you go hence: when he shall let you go, he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether.
2 Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow (or ask) of his neighbor, and every woman of her neighbor, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.
Why would the Egyptians give these jewels up? Verse 3
3 And YAHAVAH gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants, and in the sight of the people.
Apparently, the miracles which Pharaoh and his servants had already seen Moses work had greatly impressed them with a high opinion of his wisdom and power on behalf of this new God Yahavah..
Perhaps the Egyptians feared turning the Jews down when they asked to have their jewels and surrendered them over in light of these signs and wonders?
Makes sense to me.
4 And Moses said, Thus saith YAHAVAH, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:
There is discussion about whether God did this by the ministry of a good or of an evil angel or Himself.
Either way, He was behind it.
5 And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.
Where it says, “the maid-servant that is behind the mill,” it speaks to the lowliest person in the Kingdom.
6 And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more.
7 But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that YAHAVAH puts a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.
This line about the dogs moving his tongue is another way of saying nobody and nothing will move wrongly against Israel.
In the first plagues their magicians were confounded, so in this last their gods were sent packing.
8 And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and bow down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that follow thee: and after that I will go out. And he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger.
9 And YAHAVAH said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.
On the subject of Pharaoh and his will before YAHAVAH the terms, “shall” and “will’ both suggest a future tense.
Shall, though is far more demonstrative in terms of a deific command while will can be predictive.
For instance, if God says, “Pharaoh shall do this,” verses “Pharaoh will do this,” these terms which are normally predictive take on subtly different meaning as “shall” seems prophetic and “will” seems to be less demanding.
What I mean is “shall” sounds didactic and “will” sounds prophetic.
Either word can be used here and I prefer to read it as will.
Exodus 11:10 And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land.
In summary, the plagues here and in Revelation are given to produce similar results.
Everyone has the chance to change but if the heart is hard and rebellious, God will
act accordingly and if it is soft and willing the do same.
Is this the same today? Seems that the principles remain a constant. Seems. But all such things are always done in love by Him for the betterment of all involved – something that is always lost on those who seem to want to think the worst of Him.
I would propose the following and admit this may be wrong but the biblical narrative seems to support it.
Remember what Yeshua said about Judas Iscariot
Luke 22:22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!
I am convinced that YAHAVAH is so good that He will permit all souls to pursue whatever path they desire in life.
I am convinced that He engages with each of us, uses each of us, or allows each of us to accomplish the desires of our hearts -if by “self-will” He will permit it, if by His will, He is there to aid.
If our hearts are mean He will use our meanness, if our ways are loving and warm He will use it for His purposes.
I think this was the case with Pharaoh and the angelic hosts that dealt with Him.
I think this was the case with Judas and the demonic hosts assigned to him.
I think this is the case with every angel, animal and human being He has ever created. He gives freewill choice the highest regard and I suggest that we are all then accountable (rewarded) for our decisions.
To me, the rewards for amplifying our talents are had here in this life; and I tend to think that the afterlife assessment is more about how we managed and handles our weaknesses.
Can’t prove it – just a thought.
But in the end perhaps those who seek and embrace Him by faith He uses to accomplish some things and those who seek and embrace the Dark He will do the same.
For me this helps solve the debates on His governance, free will, and the influence He has or doesn’t have over choices and events.
To wrap this all up, lets read chapter 12 in preparation for next week:
Exodus 12:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,
2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.
3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.
5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.
7 And they shall take of the blood and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.
8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.
9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.
10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.
11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is YAHAVAH’S Passover.
12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am YAHAVAH.
13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to YAHAVAH throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
15 Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.
16 And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you.
17 And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore, shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.
18 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.
19 Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.
20 Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread.
21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the Passover.
22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.
23 For YAHAVAH will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he sees the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, YAHAVAH will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.
24 And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.
25 And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which YAHAVAH will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service.
26 And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?
27 That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of YAHAVAH’S Passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.
28 And the children of Israel went away, and did as YAHAVAH had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.
29 And it came to pass, that at midnight YAHAVAH smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.
30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.
31 And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, “Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve YAHAVAH, as ye have said.
32 Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.”
33 And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men.
34 And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading troughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders.
35 And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:
36 And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.
37 And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.
38 And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.
39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual.
40 Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.
41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.
42 It is a night to be much observed unto YAHAVAH for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of YAHAVAH to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.
43 And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the Passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof:
44 But every man’s servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof.
45 A foreigner and a hired servant shall not eat thereof.
46 In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof.
47 All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.
48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the Passover of YAHAVAH, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.
49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.
50 Thus did all the children of Israel; as YAHAVAH commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.
51 And it came to pass the selfsame day, that YAHAVAH did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.
And we will pick it up here next week.
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