Exodus 7:14–25 “The First Plague: Blood”

Exodus 7:14-25 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• God of Wonders – Third Day
• Lenny LeBlanc – There Is None Like You
• Matt Redman – You Alone Can Rescue

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• LESSON | GOD ALWAYS WINS – Lesson for Younger Kids (Preschool)
• The Plague Begins- Exodus 7:14-25 – Lesson for Kids
• Northview Kids – WHO IS THE KING OF THE JUNGLE – Song for Kids
• I Will Not Be Afraid | Crocodile Dock VBS | Outback Rock VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• God Is Good | Cross Culture Norway VBS Music Video | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth arelocated in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

When Pharaoh ignored the request of Moses and Aaron (v.14), the Lord instructed Moses to go to the Nile River and wait for Pharaoh (v.15). There, he was to confront Pharaoh with his staff and declare that it was the Lord (YHWH) who had commanded the release of the Israelites. To reveal this truth, God would turn the water of the Nile into blood (vv.16–18). As a result, all the fish in the river would die, the river would stink, and the water would become undrinkable (v.19). Not only the Nile, but all streams, canals, ponds, and reservoirs connected to it would be affected—every source of stored water throughout Egypt would turn to blood. The entire land would be overwhelmed by this plague.

Moses and Aaron, following the Lord’s instructions, went out early in the morning to the bank of the Nile and encountered Pharaoh and his officials as they came to bathe (v.20). It is likely that this bath was part of a religious ritual. After Moses delivered the Lord’s message, he raised his staff and struck the water of the river, and it turned into blood. All the fish in the river died, and a terrible stench rose from the water (v.21). Because of this, Pharaoh could not carry out his religious rites.

Then the court magicians brought clean water and used their secret arts to turn it into blood as well. Witnessing this, Pharaoh “hardened his heart” (v.22), refused to listen to Moses, and returned to his palace (v.23). As a result, the people of Egypt had to dig wells in search of water to drink (v.24).

Meditation:

The plagues that God brought upon Egypt to break Pharaoh’s stubborn heart were also direct confrontations against the gods the Egyptians worshiped. Among ancient civilizations, Egypt was especially known for its polytheistic religion. They worshiped numerous deities who supposedly governed the Nile River and the waters. Pharaoh’s appearance at the Nile with his officials for a bath was likely not for hygiene, but for a religious ritual. Therefore, when God turned the waters of the Nile—and all the water throughout Egypt—into blood, it was a powerful attack against the gods of the Nile and the gods of the waters. This was a declaration that the Lord alone is God.

Pharaoh and his officials, upon witnessing the Nile turn to blood, must have felt that the God of the Hebrews was defeating the gods they had worshiped. The Nile River was considered the very lifeblood of Egypt. Because of this, the Egyptians devoted themselves to honoring the deities associated with the Nile. Yet now, the God of the Hebrews had overcome those very gods. More than the lack of drinking water, what struck Pharaoh and his officials more deeply was the realization that their gods had been defeated. In response, Pharaoh summoned his court magicians and had them perform similar tricks to deny the reality unfolding before him. He attempted to suppress the truth by replicating the signs with magic, choosing illusion over repentance.

The gods of the Nile and the water gods that the Egyptians worshiped were not true gods, but idols of their own making. God began to defeat these false gods one by one, yet the people closed their eyes tightly and clung to their idols.

Prayer:

Lord, we confess that we, too, have idols in our hearts. Have mercy on us for the times we have placed other things in Your rightful place and served them instead of You. Help us to truly worship You alone as the one true God. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: God showed His power by turning the Nile River into blood, proving He is the one true God, greater than all idols or false gods. Even when people try to ignore or hide the truth, God reveals that He alone is the source of life and deserves our worship.

• For Preschool-Elementary
  • What would it be like to see a river turn into blood? Would that surprise or scare you?
  • Why do you think God made the Nile River turn to blood? What was He trying to show Pharaoh?
  • Do you sometimes think about things in your life more than God (like toys, games, or friends)? How can you remember to love God the most?
    
    
• For Youth
  
  
  • Pharaoh tried to deny the truth by copying God’s signs with magic. Have you ever tried to ignore something true because it was uncomfortable or challenging?
  • What are some “modern idols” that people today (even Christians) might trust more than God, like success, popularity, or money?
  • How can you learn to recognize when something is becoming an idol in your life? What would help you put God back at the center?