Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative of the Exodus, the plagues of Egypt serve as a divine demonstration of God's power and judgment against Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt. Animals played a significant role in these plagues, both as instruments and victims of God's wrath. The plagues are recorded in the Book of Exodus, chapters 7 through 12, and they highlight the extent to which God's judgments affected all aspects of Egyptian life, including their livestock and wildlife.The Plagues Involving Animals: 1. The Plague of Blood (Exodus 7:14-25): The first plague turned the waters of the Nile into blood, causing the fish to die and the river to stink. This event disrupted the ecosystem and the food supply, as fish were a staple in the Egyptian diet. "The fish in the Nile died, and the river smelled so bad that the Egyptians could not drink its water" (Exodus 7:21). 2. The Plague of Frogs (Exodus 8:1-15): Frogs emerged from the Nile and invaded Egyptian homes, fields, and even their beds. While frogs were considered sacred in Egyptian culture, their overwhelming presence became a source of distress. "The frogs will come up on you and your people and all your officials" (Exodus 8:4). 3. The Plague of Gnats (Exodus 8:16-19): Dust was transformed into gnats, which afflicted both people and animals. This plague demonstrated God's control over creation, as the magicians of Egypt could not replicate it. "All the dust throughout the land of Egypt became gnats" (Exodus 8:17). 4. The Plague of Flies (Exodus 8:20-32): Swarms of flies descended upon Egypt, causing chaos and discomfort. The land of Goshen, where the Israelites lived, was spared, highlighting God's protection over His people. "But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where My people live, so that no swarms of flies will be there" (Exodus 8:22). 5. The Plague on Livestock (Exodus 9:1-7): A severe pestilence struck the Egyptian livestock, including horses, donkeys, camels, cattle, sheep, and goats. This plague devastated the Egyptian economy and religious practices, as many animals were considered sacred. "All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one animal belonging to the Israelites died" (Exodus 9:6). 6. The Plague of Boils (Exodus 9:8-12): Boils broke out on both humans and animals, causing widespread suffering. This plague further demonstrated the impotence of the Egyptian gods and the power of the God of Israel. "The boils broke out on men and animals alike" (Exodus 9:10). 7. The Plague of Hail (Exodus 9:13-35): A devastating hailstorm struck Egypt, killing any person or animal left in the fields and destroying crops. The severity of this plague was unprecedented, and it served as a warning of God's might. "The hail struck down everything in the field—both man and beast" (Exodus 9:25). 8. The Plague of Locusts (Exodus 10:1-20): Locusts swarmed over Egypt, consuming what was left of the crops after the hail. This plague further crippled the Egyptian food supply and demonstrated God's control over nature. "They covered the face of all the land so that the land was darkened, and they devoured every plant in the land" (Exodus 10:15). 9. The Plague of Darkness (Exodus 10:21-29): While this plague did not directly affect animals, the darkness that enveloped Egypt for three days would have disrupted daily life for both humans and animals. "So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and total darkness covered all the land of Egypt for three days" (Exodus 10:22). 10. The Plague of the Firstborn (Exodus 11:1-12:30): The final and most devastating plague resulted in the death of every firstborn son and the firstborn of all livestock in Egypt. This plague was the culmination of God's judgments and led to the liberation of the Israelites. "Every firstborn son in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne to the firstborn of the servant girl behind the mill, as well as every firstborn of the cattle" (Exodus 11:5). Theological Significance: The plagues of Egypt, including those affecting animals, underscore the sovereignty of God over creation and His ability to execute judgment against those who oppose His will. The sparing of the Israelites' livestock and the protection of their land serve as a testament to God's covenant faithfulness. These events also highlight the futility of idolatry, as the Egyptian gods were powerless to protect their people and animals from the true God's decrees. Nave's Topical Index Exodus 8:17And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. Nave's Topical Index Exodus 9:9,10,19 Exodus 11:5 Library Concerning the Ten Plagues which came Upon the Egyptians. A Jealous God On the Holy Ghost and his Descent Upon the Apostles The Flight into Egypt and St. John the Baptist in the Desert The Reaction against Egypt The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt On the Great Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria. First Commandment Letter xxii. To Eustochium. The Sovereignty of God in Reprobation Resources What does it mean that God gave humanity dominion over the animals? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that a righteous person cares for the needs of animals (Proverbs 12:10)? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about Christians hunting animals for sport? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Animals: Cruelty to Houghing Horses Animals: Instruments of God's Will Animals: Kindness to Jacob, in Erecting Booths for his Cattle Animals: Kindness to People of Gerar, in Providing Tents for Cattle Animals: Ordained As Food for Man Animals: Suffer Under Divine Judgments, Sent Upon Man Animals: Suffered the Plagues of Egypt Animals: Two of Every Sort Preserved in the Ark Pack Animals used for Transporting Army Supplies Select Readings: The Animals of the Field Related Terms |
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