The plagues of Egypt are a significant part of the Old Testament story of the Exodus and the Israelites’ deliverance by God from Pharaoh’s tyranny. After Pharaoh refused to free the Israelites from slavery, God sent a series of plagues to Egypt, which culminated in the death of the firstborn son of every family (Aling 45). God demonstrated His power over Pharaoh through these plagues and freed the Israelites from their bondage. The plagues of Egypt are not only mentioned in the book of Exodus but are also referenced in many other books of the Bible, including the Poetical Books (Psalms), the Prophets, and the New Testament (Aling 62). This paper will analyze the references to the plagues of Egypt in the Poetical Books (Psalms), the Prophets, the Historical Books, and the New Testament. Furthermore, it will examine how the plagues are used in each book and their significance in guiding the daily lives of Christians.
The Egyptian plagues are clearly referenced in the poetical books (Psalms). The book of Psalms is a collection of poetic works written in praise of God and His power and mercy. In addition to praising God for His greatness, the psalmist sometimes recounts stories from Israel’s history to illustrate God’s faithfulness. In Psalm 105, the psalmist recounts the story of the Exodus, including the plagues that God sent to Egypt. The author speaks of God’s marvelous acts in the land of Ham (Egypt) (New American Bible, Psalms 105. 27-36). Some verses recount some of the plagues, including the frogs, flies, darkness, and the death of the firstborn. By recounting the plagues, the psalmist uses them to illustrate God’s power over Pharaoh and his kingdom and His faithfulness to His people, the Israelites.
The books of the Prophets, from Isaiah to Malachi, are full of references to the plagues of Egypt. For instance, Jeremiah speaks of God setting signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, referring to the plagues God sent to Pharaoh. In his message, Jeremiah is using the plagues to illustrate God’s power and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, including Egypt, as well as His faithfulness to the Israelites (Authorized King James Version, Jeremiah 32. 20–21). By talking about the plagues, Jeremiah is not only recalling a story from Israel’s past but also reminding the people of God’s power and faithfulness.
Furthermore, the Historical Books in the Bible, from Joshua to Esther, also quote the plagues of Egypt several times. For example, in Exodus, Moses recounts the plagues that God sent to Pharaoh to persuade him to let the Israelites go (Mshelia 123). This passage illustrates God’s supremacy over the forces of nature and His mercies and loves for Israelites. When mentioning the plagues, Moses’ intention is not just a commemoration of a story from Israel’s past but also sending a critical message to the people about God’s everlasting mightiness.
Moreover, the New Testament contains numerous references to the plagues of Egypt. One of the most famous passages in Acts mentions the mysterious signs in the land of Egypt (Rosenberg 74). Here, the author uses the plagues to demonstrate the power of God. He shows that Yahweh is capable of performing miracles and is willing to do so to demonstrate His power. This message also reminds the people of Israel that the same power used to punish the Egyptians can be used to punish them if they do not obey God’s commands.
In essence, the passages from the Psalms, Prophets, Historical Books, and New Testament all use the plague events from the period of the Exodus in different ways. The Psalms use the plagues to praise God for His power and mercy (Rosenberg 64). In the Prophets, the plagues are used to demonstrate God’s power and warn the people of Israel of the consequences of disobedience. In the Historical Books, the plagues remind the Israelites of God’s power and mercy and warn them of the consequences of disobedience. And in the New Testament, the plagues are used to demonstrate God’s power and remind the people of Israel of the consequences of disobedience. Ultimately, the Bible uses the Egyptian plagues to highlight God’s strength and remind Israel of their disobedience’s repercussions (Mshelia 33). The Bible’s authors cite the plagues as examples of God’s goodness, light, and love. In addition, they warn Israel’s population not to make the same errors that the Egyptians did by serving as a reminder of the repercussions of their disobedience through the plagues.
In conclusion, the plagues of Egypt have been interpreted and redone throughout the Bible and are a significant element of the biblical story. The plagues of Egypt had a considerable influence on how the authors of the Bible narrate their stories, from the plagues of Egypt in Exodus to the Passover in the History Books, to the “wonderful actions” in the Psalms, and the “signs and wonders” in the Prophets. The Bible’s authors aim to demonstrate God’s might and remind the Israelites of the repercussions of their disobedience through these passages. Christians today should consider these texts and apply the lessons from the plagues to their lives, keeping in mind that God can bring about any outcome.
Works Cited
Aling, Charles F. Egypt and Bible History: From Earliest Times to 1000 BC. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2020.
Mshelia, Ayuba. The Books of the Old Testament in Your Palm: Brief Introductions to the Books of the Old Testament. Christian Faith Publishing, 2022.
New American Bible. USCCB, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1991. Rosenberg, Joel C. “What Does the Bible Teach About Pestilence, Plagues and Global Pandemic The Bible. Authorized King James Version, Oxford UP, 1998.