Today's Reading:

Exodus 5
Exodus 6
Exodus 7
Exodus 8
Exodus 9

 

In Exodus 6:6, God promised His oppressed people, “I will rid you of their yoke of slavery… and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm.” That “yoke” was more than just labor—it was Pharaoh’s crushing demands, a life where every brick, every day, served a master who refused to let go. We’ve watched it play out through chapters 5–9: the quotas get heavier, the hearts get harder (Pharaoh’s especially), and hope seems crushed under the increased burden. Yet God kept showing up—plague after plague—not to destroy instantly, but to break the yoke slowly, deliberately, so everyone sees His power and grace. 

We all know yokes today- maybe it’s the exhausting grind of work, the family responsibilities pulling you in ten directions, the financial pressures, addictions, or even the quiet pride that hardens our own hearts when we refuse to let God in. Those yokes can feel unbreakable and sometimes things even get worse before they get better until we finally cry out. But the same God who said “I will rid you” to Israel is still the great I AM—patient, powerful, and gentle enough to lift the weight we were never meant to carry alone. He softens hard hearts (ours first), giving His love in the process, and inviting us to walk yoked to Him. If you feel the weight of the yoke, seek Him as He sees you, and hears you. 

Both Moses and Aaron had gone to the Egyptian Pharaoh as God had commanded to ask him to “let My people go”. At the time, they had only wanted to go on a 3-day journey to have their festival and sacrifice to the Lord. Pharaoh did not want his slave workers to be gone, so he not only said no, but made their work even harder with less resources. The Israelite overseers became upset with Moses and Aaron as they could not see past the immediate circumstances to the promises of the Lord.  

Moses complained to God again, saying that Pharaoh had not listened and that the Israelites were now complaining even more to him. Then, in a sudden shift, chapter 6 paused to provide a detailed genealogy of the tribes of Israel, focusing particularly on the family tree of Levi (One of the 12 sons of Jacob) which led directly to Moses and Aaron. This detail was significant because God would later choose the tribe of Levi for special service in the tabernacle and temple, with Aaron and his descendants were chosen for the high priesthood. 

The Lord then spoke to Moses once more, renewing His promise to bring them out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. He said that He would personally harden Pharaoh’s heart so that His power would be displayed through the signs and wonders He was about to perform. When Pharaoh demanded to see a miracle as proof of God’s authority, then God gave way for the plagues. Each one built upon the next in intensity and undermined the Pharaoh's magicians to demonstrate the Lord’s sovereignty. In today’s reading, we discover the first seven plagues: 

 

Plague 1- God turned the Nile River and all the water into blood. The fish died, and the river smelt horrid. The Egyptians started to freak out, but the Pharaoh's magicians were able to copy the trick, and so the Pharaoh's heart was hardened. 

Plague 2- When the fish died, all that was left were the frogs that hopped out of the water. There were frogs everywhere including inside of houses, and when Moses prayed for the miracle to lift, all the frogs died where they were, the land reeked of them. Again, the Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he said no to letting them go. 

Plague 3- When the frogs died, gnats (or lice) were created from the dust which covered the people and animals. This time, the Pharaoh’s magicians could not copy the miracle and admitted, “This is the finger of God.” Yet, Pharaoh’s heart had been hardened so much he did not budge.  

Plague 4- The gnats led to flies, which ruined the land everywhere, except for Goshen, where the Israelites lived. This was the first clear time that God dealt with His people differently as a way to start the separation process of the Egyptians and Israelites. Pharaoh offered a compromise, that the Israelites were allowed to worship and give their sacrifices to God, but they needed to stay in Egypt. Moses told him no, and Pharaoh agreed, but later changed his mind about letting them leave due to his hardened heart.  

Plague 5- With flies that had hit the land, the livestock started to drop dead- but only the Egyptians' cows, horses, camels, sheep, etc. The Israelites' animals were completely fine. The Pharaoh's heart still did not relent.  

Plague 6- With the animals dead, disease loomed and painful sores broke out on the people and animals. Pharaoh’s magicians could not stand before Moses to even challenge him as they were too weak. Of course, the Pharaoh's heart was still hard. 

Plague 7- Hail like never before came down with fire (lightning), smashing the crops, trees, and livestock that were left. A few of the Egyptians who started to fear God brought their animals into shelter the storm. Of course, the people and animals of Goshen survived. There was a moment in (9:15-16) where God was holding back, within an instant, He could have ended Pharaoh and all of Egypt. They had been overwhelmed with 7 intense plagues of blood, frogs, gnats, flies, death of their livestock, boils , and hail, but God went light on them, showing His mercy even in judgment. Constantly, He gave the Pharaoh a chance to repent. God told Pharaoh that He raised him up for this very moment and purpose. He kept the Pharaoh alive in order for His own power to shine throughout the land, precisely so that everyone would know who He was and the future generations of Israelites could look back and see how He worked to deliver them from Egypt. The Pharaoh admitted that he had sinned and begged for the plagues to stop, promising freedom, but when the hail stopped, he lied to Moses again.  

What started with a simple request, “Let My people go,” had exploded into God’s power being showcased throughout the land of Egypt. Plague after plague revealed God’s patience, His destructive abilities and how His name had grown throughout the land. The Israelites had not been let go, the Pharaoh's heart was hardened more with each passing plague, and the Egyptians were disgusted over it. The worst had yet to come to Egypt. Hold tight to the knowledge that not even the most powerful king on earth could contend with God. Here is the light of grace to carry you after the intense chapters: Even when obedience makes things harder at first, when leaders fail and proud hearts say no to God- He is shaping the story, protecting His people and at each step bringing you out of slavery. You are safe in God’s hands.  

Today's Discussion question: 

Has there ever been a time when you tried to obey God, but things actually got harder or more frustrating at first? Maybe people complained, or the situation felt worse before it got better. Looking back, could you see God at work- protecting you, or setting you free from something? How does that help you trust that you are safe in His hands, even when it doesn’t feel like it?

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