Moses and the Pharaoh: A Journey of Faith and Deliverance

“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country.'” — Exodus 6:1

In the ancient land of Egypt, the Israelites groaned under the weight of slavery, their cries ascending to the heavens. God, hearing their pleas, chose Moses, a man of humble beginnings, to lead His people to freedom. Moses, once a prince of Egypt, had fled to Midian after defending a Hebrew slave. There, amidst the solitude of the desert, God called to him from a burning bush that was not consumed. “So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” — Exodus 3:10

Apprehensive of his speaking abilities, Moses expressed his doubts. God reassured him, appointing his brother Aaron as his spokesman. “You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do.” — Exodus 4:15

With divine mandate, Moses and Aaron approached Pharaoh, delivering God’s command: “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the wilderness.'” — Exodus 5:1 Pharaoh’s heart hardened, and he retorted, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD and I will not let Israel go.” — Exodus 5:2

In response to Pharaoh’s defiance, God unleashed a series of plagues upon Egypt, each a testament to His supremacy over the Egyptian deities.

1. Water Turned to Blood: At God’s command, Moses struck the Nile with his staff, and its waters turned to blood, causing the fish to die and the river to reek. — Exodus 7:20-21
2. Frogs: An inundation of frogs emerged, invading homes, bedrooms, and kitchens. Pharaoh pleaded for relief, but upon its arrival, he reneged on his promise to free the Israelites. — Exodus 8:1-15
3. Gnats: Dust throughout Egypt became gnats, tormenting people and animals alike. Even the magicians acknowledged, “This is the finger of God.” — Exodus 8:16-19
4. Flies: Swarms of flies descended upon Egyptian homes, sparing only the land of Goshen, where the Israelites resided. — Exodus 8:20-24
5. Livestock Pestilence: A severe plague struck the Egyptian livestock, leaving the Israelites’ animals unharmed. — Exodus 9:1-7
6. Boils: Festering boils afflicted the Egyptians, affecting both humans and animals. — Exodus 9:8-12
7. Hail: A devastating hailstorm, accompanied by fire, ravaged the land, destroying crops and livestock in the fields. — Exodus 9:13-26
8. Locusts: Locusts swarmed over Egypt, consuming whatever the hail had left. — Exodus 10:12-15
9. Darkness: A palpable darkness enveloped Egypt for three days, yet the Israelites had light in their dwellings. — Exodus 10:21-23

Despite these calamities, Pharaoh’s heart remained unyielding. God then declared the final and most grievous plague: the death of the firstborn. He instructed Moses to have each Israelite household sacrifice a lamb and mark their doorposts with its blood. “The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you.” — Exodus 12:13

At midnight, the LORD struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh to the firstborn of the prisoner. There was loud wailing in Egypt, for there was not a house without someone dead. — Exodus 12:29-30

Overcome with grief, Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron during the night and said, “Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested.” — Exodus 12:31

The Israelites departed hastily, carrying unleavened dough, as there was no time for it to rise. God led them through the wilderness toward the Red Sea, guiding them by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. — Exodus 13:21-22

Soon after their departure, Pharaoh regretted letting the Israelites go and pursued them with his army. As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. — Exodus 14:10

Moses reassured them, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today.” — Exodus 14:13

Following God’s command, Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.