In yesterday’s article, I listed numerous references where the Bible presents actions involving the Hebrews and Egyptians were so that they would know God. He was not only demonstrating His power and might, but also judging the Egyptian gods and revealing their powerlessness in that national crisis.
Today’s article will focus on the ten plagues on the Egyptians and how they reveal the powerlessness of the Egyptian gods.
The Ten Plagues of Exodus and Associated Egyptian Gods
(1) Water Turned to Blood – Exodus 7:14-25
- Associated Egyptian God(s): Hapi, Osiris, Khnum
- Hapi: God of the Nile and its annual flood, crucial for agriculture and life.
- Osiris: God of the afterlife, the underworld, and the Nile’s life-giving power.
- Khnum: Ram-headed god, guardian of the Nile’s source, and creator of humans.
(2) The Plague of Frogs – Exodus 8:1-15
- Associated Egyptian God: Heqet
- Heqet: Frog-headed goddess of fertility, childbirth, and resurrection.
(3) The Plague of Gnats – Exodus 8:16-19
- Associated Egyptian God: Geb
- Geb: God of the earth, from which the gnats/lice came.
(4) The Plague of Flies – Exodus 8:20-32
- Associated Egyptian God: Khepri
- Khepri: God of creation and the movement of the sun, often depicted as a scarab beetle (though flies are mentioned).
(5) The Plague on Livestock – Exodus 9:1-7
- Associated Egyptian God(s): Apis, Hathor, Khnum, Amon
- Apis: Sacred bull god, a symbol of fertility and strength.
- Hathor: Cow-headed goddess of motherhood, fertility, and livestock.
- Khnum: Also associated with livestock.
- Amon: King of the gods, sometimes depicted with a ram’s head.
(6) The Plague of Boils – Exodus 9:8-12
- Associated Egyptian God(s): Sekhmet, Serapis, Isis
- Sekhmet: Goddess of healing and pestilence, often depicted with a lion’s head.
- Serapis: Graeco-Egyptian god with healing associations.
- Isis: Goddess of healing and magic.
(7) The Plague of Hail – Exodus 9:13-35
- Associated Egyptian God(s): Nut, Seth
- Nut: Goddess of the sky, whose body formed the heavens.
- Seth: God of chaos, storms, and disorder.
(8) The Plague of Locusts – Exodus 10:1-20
- Associated Egyptian God(s): Seth, Osiris, Renenutet
- Seth: Also associated with agricultural pests.
- Osiris: God of vegetation and agriculture, whose domain was devastated.
- Renenutet: Goddess of the harvest and nourishment.
(9) The Plague of Darkness – Exodus 10:21-29
- Associated Egyptian God(s): Ra(Re), Horus, Amon-Ra
- Ra (Re): Sun god, one of the most important deities, representing light and life.
- Horus: Falcon-headed god, often associated with the sun and sky.
- Amon-Ra: Fusion of Amon and Ra, a principal deity.
(10) The Plague on the Firstborn – Exodus 11:1-12:36
- Associated Egyptian God(s): Pharaoh, Osiris, Min, Heqet, Isis, Taweret
- Pharaoh: Considered a divine ruler, a living god.
- Osiris: Ruler of the underworld and giver of life.
- Min: God of reproduction and fertility.
- Heqet: Assisted women in childbirth.
- Isis: Protected children.
- Taweret: Goddess of childbirth and fertility.
Justice and Mercy
Isaiah highlights the destructive nature of idol worship. In Chapter 44, there is an extended discussion of the futility of idols. He begins the discussion with these words:
All who make idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit; their witnesses neither see nor know, and so they will be put to shame.
Who would fashion a god or cast an image that can do no good? (Isaiah 44:9-10)
While idols may be crafted from expensive gold, silver, and other precious materials, they bring no true profit to people. Instead, those who put their trust in them are brought to shame.
God graciously revealed the destructive nature of idols through the plagues in Egypt. Knowledge of the One True God is a gift, even when it comes through difficult circumstances.
There were instances when Pharaoh was given an opportunity to soften his heart. Remember, the biblical understanding of “heart” is a person’s mind and will.
During the plague of the frogs, Pharaoh said to Moses and Aaron: “Pray to the Lord to take away the frogs from me and my people, and I will let the people go to sacrifice to the Lord” (Exodus 8:8).
After the plague of gnats, The magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God!” (Exodus 8:19a).
Unfortunately, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the Lord had said (Exodus 8:19b).
After swarms of flies, Pharaoh had another opportunity to soften his implacable heart. He asked Moses, “Pray for me” (Exodus 8:28).
Reflections
Reading through Exodus reveals how seriously God takes humanity.
He desires for us to know Him, to be aware of His presence, to grasp his unbelievably great character and nature, and to understand that we can know Him and live with Him.
God works to separate us from the idols we worship by softening our hearts, and bringing our minds and wills into alignment with His.
The same opportunity is before us now as was presented in the time of Moses and Pharaoh. What will we choose?
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 