Book of Exodus is the one of the important book in the Old testament, as it describes about our lord Yahweh bringing Israelites out of Egypt from the slavery and visual manifestation of his power and glory, so that they may be strengthened in Faith and trust on Him. Apart from talking to Moses through fire bush and many other miracles, biggest and most challenging  is the ‘Ten Plagues’. We need to understand why God gave the Ten plagues. God is not happy to give these ten plagues or any plagues but he permitted them. There are so many tragedies in this world,  Some people for small sickness they just lose their life and but there are many suffering from major sickness they get healed and delivered. There are many evil things in this world and God still permits them. The only reason why God permits is through these sufferings and struggles we may glorify God. 

Why did Holy Spirit lead Jesus to wilderness to be tempted by the devil? It is because through this temptation Jesus could get more power and anointing so, something new to be learnt by all the forthcoming people of God. He came out of the wilderness with full power. He got this power through overcoming the temptation. Every evil thing can be turned into good. 

Romans 8:28 – We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

1 Samuel 4:8 – Woe to us! Who can deliver us from the power of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with every sort of plague in the wilderness.

Around five hundred years ago, the Israelites were saved by their God by attacking the Egyptians with plagues. These ten plagues were well known to the Nations. All the Nations, even not for one generation, but generation after generation everyone was scared to touch the people of Israel. Because of these plagues, they all knew that the God of Israel is so powerful, that’s why God permitted certain tragedy, certain strife with plagues and God rescued them with a mighty hand. Sometimes God permits certain tragedies, miracles, struggles only then we will come to know the power of God. 

If Moses came and asked Pharoah to send his people and if Pharaoh had immediately agreed, then how would we knew the power of God. Egyptians already got some powerful Gods. It was the plan of God the Yahweh that He should defeat all these so called powerful ten Gods one by one and that is why each plague was attacking each God.  

Exodus 5:2 – But Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should listen to him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and I will not let Israel go.”

The ninth God is Sun God. God said let there be darkness for three days. The whole Earth was full of darkness, the Sun God was missing. The first-born child of Pharoah was killed. Pharaoh himself is the tenth God according to Egyptians. If he could not save his own child then how will he save the people. Then the people came to know this God Pharoah is no more a God but merely a human being like them and that divinity of Pharaoh just collapsed. Every identity of all the ten Egyptian Gods just collapsed with these ten plagues which God permitted.  Every evil can be turned into good. That is why God said, “I am doing all these things so that your children, your grandchildren, later generation know I am the Lord your God. You may tell your children and grandchildren how I have made fools of the Egyptians and what Science I have done among them so that you may know that I am the Lord.” 

Exodus 10:3 – So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews: How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, so that they may serve me.

Pharoah was rebellious. He was not ready to obey God. He was just compromising the teaching of God. God warns us to stop alcohol, drug addiction, wrong relationship, watching unholy videos, wrong things, swearing words, hurting your parents, disobeying them and this question also applies for us. We just ignore all this and take everything for granted.  The officials of Pharoah turned their hearts and changed; the whole family was repenting but Pharoah did not change.  Some people want to take strong decision but not fully, they are ready to give up some bad habits but not everything. 

We should not be afraid of the evil one. After each plague, Pharoah confessed to Moses and Aaron  just like the prodigal son and prayed that he has sinned against the Lord and both of them. But again, his evil nature comes back and he hardens his heart. There are many people who come for confession but at the same time after confession they keep commit the same sin, keep hatred against the brother. They are the present generation of Pharaoh.  If we are not able to change our lives after confession, still continue to keep unforgiveness, we have a small Pharaoh growing inside.  Moses each time prayed to God for Pharaoh, even though he knew Pharaoh was not repenting properly and cheated many times, but Moses always did  good. We should not judge anyone but do good to others even when they are evil. Forgive them, love them and pray for them. If they are not getting tired of doing evil, then we should also not get tired of doing good. 

Sometimes we want to worship God but there are small Gods blocking us, money blocks us from going to Sunday mass, friendship and if we make someone or something else God, we will lose the protection. Let us surrender everything to God. 

Transcribed by Jusfica Lobo