Firm Foundations Lesson 22: God Sent Plagues on Egypt; God Passed Over Israel Key verse: Nahum 1:7Nahum 1:7

Introduction Israelites were enslaved in Egypt by a powerful Pharaoh God was going to make a way to deliver them!

Pharaoh refused to obey God’s command Exodus 5:1-2 God spoke to Pharaoh through Moses and Aaron Egyptians didn’t worship the true God –Worshipped the Nile –Worshipped sun, moon, and animals –Even worshipped Pharaoh Most people had turned away from true knowledge of God God had called Abraham, made him Father of nation of Israel Pharaoh didn’t want to listen to God

God wanted to show Israel that He was their God Israelites had never seen God’s power –Had heard about what He did for Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph Exodus 6:1-8

…wanted to show Egyptians He was the only God Egyptians were intelligent –Writers, mathematicians, chemists, etc. –But, enslaved to Satan –Gods they trusted were unable to protect them Only He is the true and living God over the whole earth Pharaoh determined to fight God Exodus 7:4-5

The Lord sent 9 plagues on Egypt Egypt refused to released the Israelites, so God showed His power Described in Exodus 7:14-10:29 –Turned waters into blood –Next, plagues of frogs, gnats, and flies –Next, plagues on livestock –Next, terrible boils on their bodies –Next, hailstorm, locusts, and thick darkness Couldn’t save themselves Each plague pointed to one of their false gods God protected the Israelites from these plagues –Loved them –Remembered promises to Jacob –Wanted king of Egypt to know He was One True God Pharaoh responded same way to each plague –Called for Moses to remove it –Promised to let them go, God removed the plague –Once plague was gone, changed his mind –Became more hardened each time

God’s last judgment on the Egyptians Pharaoh still refused to obey God knew that Pharaoh would refuse –knows everything before it happens –knew that Pharaoh would release them after the final plague Exodus 11:1, 4-7

The Lord’s instructions to Moses Told Moses to prepare for the final plague –Israelites deserved plague, God would spare them –God was merciful to them Remembered promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – bring them back to promised land –God gave them 3 things they must do:

1. Choose a lamb or goat without blemish Exodus 12:1-5 Head of each home to choose a lamb or goat. Lamb had to be perfect – no spots or blemishes –Why?

2. They must kill lamb and catch blood in basin Exodus 12:6 Keep lamb 14 days Kill lamb in evening of 14 th day Blood must flow out –Punishment for sin is death

3. Place blood on doorposts and above door Exodus 12:7 Catch blood in basin Dip branch in blood Paint blood on doorposts, over the door Blood would save firstborn from judgment

4. Stay in house on where blood was painted Exodus 12:22 –They must not go out

5. Not break any of lamb’s bones Exodus 12:46 God does not allow people to save themselves in their own way Everything to be done exactly as God commanded

The Lord’s promise to the Israelites Exodus 12:12-14 –God promised He would pass over their houses, not kill first born –Only if blood was painted over door, on doorposts

Israel’s faith and obedience Israel feared God, obeyed Exodus 12:28 What if an Israelite chose not to kill the lamb? –Lamb had to die –Punishment for sin is death Israelites had to trust God

All of Egypt’s firstborn died Exodus 12:29-30 Firstborn children, firstborn of livestock all died –Always does what He says –No escape from His determined judgment God passed over those with blood on door –Always does what He says

Pharaoh told Israelites to go Exodus 12:31-36 Pharaoh thought He could fight God, but was wrong Remember God’s promises to Abraham –400 years had passed –Now Egyptians were giving gold & silver to slaves (Israelites) as they left God never forgets His promises

Conclusion The Lord delivered as He had promised God punishes those who fight against Him God shows mercy to those who trust Him