The Ten Plagues and the Passover

Moses and Aaron bring Pharaoh God’s command: “Let my people go, that they may serve me.” Pharaoh refuses. So the LORD strikes Egypt with a series of plagues: the water of the river turned to blood, frogs, lice, swarms of flies, the death of the livestock, boils, hail mixed with fire, locusts, and then three days of thick darkness. Even the magicians admit, “This is the finger of God!” Several times Pharaoh gives in, then hardens his heart again. God announces the final plague: the death of every firstborn. Each Israelite family kills a lamb without blemish and puts its blood on the doorposts and the lintel of their house. “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.” At midnight the LORD strikes the firstborn of Egypt, down to Pharaoh’s own son. Pharaoh finally drives Israel out: about six hundred thousand men leave, after four hundred and thirty years.