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I. CHARACTERISTICS.

1. Wonders. Filled men with astonishment and awe.

2. Signs. Instructive. Showed the power and anger of Jehovah. "This, the finger," etc.

3. Punitive also. They punished the oppressor, while they opened the doors of the house of bondage.

4. Emblematical of the mission and career of Moses. Thunders of Sinai resounded through them all.

5. Various. Attacked both nature and man; animate and inanimate objects; mineral, vegetable, and animal kingdoms.

6. Numerous. Ten. Indeed more, for there was the undoing as well as the doing.

II. PURPOSE.

1. To overthrow the deities of Egypt. Jehovah the only true God — Lord of lords.

2. To punish the oppressor. Those who long years had made the life of Israel bitter, now taste a worse bitterness than they had inflicted.

3. To confound the pride of Pharaoh. Though he was master in the land. Had need to be taught that there was One by whom kings rule.

4. To effect the deliverance of the captives. They gradually paved the way, and ultimately secured this.

III. EFFECT.

1. Upon Pharaoh. Hardened his heart. In proportion as he set himself against the manifest will of God. So even the glorious gospel of the blessed God is, to some men, the savour of death unto death. At last even Pharaoh's resistance was broken.

2. Upon the Egyptians. They were gradually subdued, till at length they entreated Pharaoh to let Israel go, as earnestly as ever Moses and Aaron did.

3. Upon Israel. They had dwelt secure while these terrors were abroad. God had hidden them in the chambers of His love and mercy. Their confidence restored. They organize their flight. They see the time is at hand. And at last wait for the final word.Learn —

1. To stand in awe of the great God and sin not.

2. To admire the resources of infinite wisdom and power.

3. To take heed lest the gospel be a source of condemnation.

4. To expect no miracles, but turn to the sure word of prophecy.

5. To rejoice in our great deliverer, Jesus Christ.

(J. C. Gray.)

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KJV: And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

WEB: Yahweh said to Moses, "Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and tell him, 'This is what Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, says: "Let my people go, that they may serve me.