This Is the Finger of God (Exodus 7:8-8:19)

Exodus 7:8-8:19 includes the sign of Aaron’s staff turning into a serpent before Pharaoh as well as the first three plagues — the Nile turning to blood, the land of Egypt overrun by frogs, and third by gnats.  Each of the first three plagues were incredibly serious — Egypt was under the judgment of the true and living God.  Yet you may have heard the argument that the Nile River did not really turn to blood but that the water was discolored because of red sediment that would wash down from time to time.  Likewise, some have tried to give natural explanations to the other plagues.  There are many problems trying to explain them naturally.  But often those quick to say that will also be quick to dismiss the Egyptian magicians replicating the sign and the first two plagues with natural explanations.  The text, however, does not give us any indication that these “magicians” are performing some kind of trick.  Instead, it appears that they were really able to do these things — that they had some real magical powers.  It should not surprise us today if some Wicca or other witchcraft cults are able to to some magical stuff.  In some cases it may be real.  Yet it hardly compares to the power of the true God that we hear on display in these verses.

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