The Bible Daily Read

Today’s reading takes us through Exodus 7–9, a dramatic series of confrontations between Moses and Pharaoh. God’s command to “let my people go” collides with Pharaoh’s stubborn resistance, setting the stage for the first wave of plagues. At first glance, turning rivers to blood or sending swarms of frogs might seem far removed from modern experience. Yet, these chapters speak to enduring questions about power, justice, and the consequences of hardened hearts.

Exodus 7 opens with God reiterating Moses’ mission. Despite Moses’ insecurities, he stands before Pharaoh, demanding the release of the Israelites. Pharaoh’s magicians attempt to replicate Moses’ signs, but they cannot reverse the divine intervention. Ultimately, the Nile River turns to blood, contaminating Egypt’s primary water source. Modern parallels can be drawn from environmental crises—polluted rivers, widespread droughts, and climate disasters that disrupt entire communities. While such events are often explained through science rather than supernatural plagues, they can still remind us how fragile our resources are and how quickly society unravels when life’s essentials—like clean water—are compromised.

Exodus 8 continues with the plagues of frogs, gnats (or lice), and flies. Each plague escalates tension between Pharaoh and Moses. Initially, Pharaoh seems to relent, asking Moses to pray for relief—but when conditions improve, he reverts to his old stance, refusing to let the Israelites go. We see a cycle of crisis and temporary acquiescence, followed by stubbornness once the danger subsides. Psychologists note a similar pattern in human behavior: people sometimes make changes when urgent threats loom, yet quickly slip back into complacency when the immediate crisis passes. Whether we’re talking about personal habits (diet, exercise, or finances) or societal challenges (emissions reductions, public health measures), we too can lapse into old behaviors once the “plague” recedes.

By Exodus 9, the plagues become even more severe—disease strikes livestock, and boils afflict both humans and animals. Pharaoh’s obstinacy continues, showcasing the lengths to which leaders may go to maintain power, even in the face of clear adversity. Old Testament scholar Dr. Tremper Longman III points out that these plagues serve not merely as punishments but as revelations: they unmask Egypt’s false gods and highlight the gap between Pharaoh’s presumed authority and God’s true sovereignty. In a modern context, we witness how misplaced trust in human structures—be they political, economic, or technological—can lead to a false sense of security. Disruptions, whether through pandemics or economic collapses, expose weaknesses and remind us that no institution or leader is ultimately infallible.

A common thread linking these plagues is the issue of hardened hearts. Pharaoh repeatedly shuts out any impulse to do the just thing. In our own day, we might ask: Where do we resist truth or justice in our personal or communal lives? Do we rationalize harmful behaviors or stubbornly cling to control, even when confronted with evidence that change is needed? The “hardening of heart” can manifest as denial, blame-shifting, or an unwillingness to empathize with those who suffer.

As you reflect on Exodus 7–9, consider how these ancient plagues challenge us to examine both individual and collective resistance to transformation. Like Pharaoh, we can be slow to acknowledge the signs that demand a moral or spiritual shift. Yet these chapters also offer a glimmer of hope: even in the thick of chaos, God remains in control, working out His plan for deliverance. May these passages encourage each of us to stay open-hearted, use our resources responsibly, and act with compassion—knowing that true freedom often emerges when we finally heed the signs that call us to repent, release, and restore.