Why did God send the plagues in the OT?
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Hello and welcome to CC, Hopeful_1 
There are several places in the OT where God did things which resulted in the death or suffering of people. If you mean specifically the plagues in Exodus (frogs, gnats, flies, hail, etc.), He sent those things to show that He is God and that the Egyptian idols were not. He demonstrated His power over Pharaoh, his magicians, and their "gods". He also did these things to convince Pharaoh to set the Israelites free.
In other places, God sent calamity to demonstrate His holiness, to remove sinful people, and to punish Israel for their unfaithfulness toward Him. Sometimes He relented from sending calamity in order to show His mercy. All the plagues and calamities had a specific purpose toward bringing about the redemption we have in Jesus Christ, though it is hard to make the connection sometimes.
Did God heal the land? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. There are several prophecies which say that the land (or city), after destruction, will not be restored. Presently, Egypt along the Nile is lush and productive, but otherwise it's pretty much a sandy wasteland. I don't know what it was like prior to the plagues.
There are several places in the OT where God did things which resulted in the death or suffering of people. If you mean specifically the plagues in Exodus (frogs, gnats, flies, hail, etc.), He sent those things to show that He is God and that the Egyptian idols were not. He demonstrated His power over Pharaoh, his magicians, and their "gods". He also did these things to convince Pharaoh to set the Israelites free.
In other places, God sent calamity to demonstrate His holiness, to remove sinful people, and to punish Israel for their unfaithfulness toward Him. Sometimes He relented from sending calamity in order to show His mercy. All the plagues and calamities had a specific purpose toward bringing about the redemption we have in Jesus Christ, though it is hard to make the connection sometimes.
Did God heal the land? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. There are several prophecies which say that the land (or city), after destruction, will not be restored. Presently, Egypt along the Nile is lush and productive, but otherwise it's pretty much a sandy wasteland. I don't know what it was like prior to the plagues.
Hi hopeful,
It would help if you let us know which plague your asking about. Which book of the Bible, chapter, verse(s)? Thanks!
Also, welcome to CC!
It would help if you let us know which plague your asking about. Which book of the Bible, chapter, verse(s)? Thanks!
Also, welcome to CC!
Hello Hopeful God sent the plagues upon Egypt to show forth His supremacy
over all the false idols of Egypt, including Pharaoh himself, who was also
considered a god. Each plague defeated a number of the Egyptians' false gods.
It was also to free His people after more than 400 years of slavery, so He
could bring them out of bondage and into the promised land.
1. Water into blood (דָם): Ex. 7:14–24
See also: Va'eira
3. Lice (כִּנִּים): Ex. 8:16–19
4. Mixture of Wild Animals (עָרוֹב): Ex. 8:20–32
The fourth plague of Egypt was of creatures capable of harming people and livestock. The Torah emphasizes that the ‘arob (עָרוֹב, meaning "mixture" or "swarm") only came against the Egyptians, and that it did not affect the Land of Goshen (where the Israelites lived). Pharaoh asked Moses to remove this plague and promised to allow the Israelites' freedom. However, after the plague was gone, the LORD "hardened Pharaoh's heart", and he refused to keep his promise.
The word ‘arob has caused a difference of opinion among traditional interpreters. The root meaning is (ע.ר.ב), meaning a mixture - implying a diversity, array, or assortment of harmful animals. While Jewish interpreters understand the plague as "wild animals" (most likely scorpions, venomous snakes, and other venomous arthropods and reptiles), Gesenius along with many Christian interpreters understand the plague as a swarm of flies. A judgment against Uatchit, the fly god, and Khepri- Egyptian God of creation, movement of the Sun, rebirth
5. Diseased livestock (דֶּבֶר): Ex. 9:1–7
6. Boils (שְׁחִין): Ex. 9:8–12
7. Thunderstorm of hail (בָּרָד): Ex. 9:13–35
8. Locusts (אַרְבֶּה): Ex. 10:1–20
9. Darkness for three days (חוֹשֶך): Ex. 10:21–29
10. Death of firstborn (מַכַּת בְּכוֹרוֹת): Ex. 11:1–12:36
God sent the plagues upon Egypt to show forth His supremacy over all the false idols of Egypt, including Pharaoh himself, who was also
considered a god. Each plague defeated a number of the Egyptians' false gods.
It was also to free His people after more than 400 years of slavery, so He
could bring them out of bondage and into the promised land.
1. Water into blood (דָם): Ex. 7:14–24
This is what the LORD says: By this you will know that I am the LORD: With the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water of the Nile, and it will be changed into blood. The fish in the Nile will die, and the river will stink and the Egyptians will not be able to drink its water. — Exodus 7:17–18 Defeated Hapi- Egyptian God of the Nile; also a judgment against Apis, the god of the Nile, Isis, goddess of the Nile, and Khnum, guardian of the Nile. The Nile was also believed to be the bloodstream of Osiris.
2. Frogs (צְּפַרְדֵּעַ): Ex. 7:25–8:15
The Second Plague: And Aaron stretched out his hand over the Waters of Egypt and the Frogs came up and covered the Sand of Egypt etching
See also: Va'eira
This is what the great LORD says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me. If you refuse to let them go, I will plague your whole country with frogs. The Nile will teem with frogs. They will come up into your palace and your bedroom and onto your bed, into the houses of your officials and on your people, and into your ovens and kneading troughs. The frogs will go up on you and your people and all your officials. — Exodus 8:1–4 Defeated Heket- Egyptian Goddess of Fertility, Water, Renewal
3. Lice (כִּנִּים): Ex. 8:16–19
"And the LORD said [...] Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt." […] When Aaron stretched out his hand with the rod and struck the dust of the ground, lice came upon men and animals. All the dust throughout the land of Egypt became lice. — Exodus 8:16–17 The Hebrew noun כִּנִּים (kinim) could be translated as lice, gnats, or fleas. Defeated Geb- Egyptian God of the Earth. The magicians were unable to duplicate this plague.
4. Mixture of Wild Animals (עָרוֹב): Ex. 8:20–32
The fourth plague of Egypt was of creatures capable of harming people and livestock. The Torah emphasizes that the ‘arob (עָרוֹב, meaning "mixture" or "swarm") only came against the Egyptians, and that it did not affect the Land of Goshen (where the Israelites lived). Pharaoh asked Moses to remove this plague and promised to allow the Israelites' freedom. However, after the plague was gone, the LORD "hardened Pharaoh's heart", and he refused to keep his promise.
The word ‘arob has caused a difference of opinion among traditional interpreters. The root meaning is (ע.ר.ב), meaning a mixture - implying a diversity, array, or assortment of harmful animals. While Jewish interpreters understand the plague as "wild animals" (most likely scorpions, venomous snakes, and other venomous arthropods and reptiles), Gesenius along with many Christian interpreters understand the plague as a swarm of flies. A judgment against Uatchit, the fly god, and Khepri- Egyptian God of creation, movement of the Sun, rebirth
5. Diseased livestock (דֶּבֶר): Ex. 9:1–7
This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me. If you refuse to let them go and continue to hold them back, the hand of the LORD will bring a terrible plague on your livestock in the field—on your horses and donkeys and camels and on your cattle and sheep and goats. — Exodus 9:1–3 Defeated the goddess Hathor (goddess of love and protection) and the god Apis
6. Boils (שְׁחִין): Ex. 9:8–12
Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Take handfuls of soot from a furnace and have Moses toss it into the air in the presence of Pharaoh. It will become fine dust over the whole land of Egypt, and festering boils will break out on men and animals throughout the land." — Exodus 9:8–9 Defeated several gods that dealt with health and disease issues: Sekhmet, Sunu, and Isis, Egyptian goddess of medicine and peace
7. Thunderstorm of hail (בָּרָד): Ex. 9:13–35
This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me, or this time I will send the full force of my plagues against you and against your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no one like me in all the earth. For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth. But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. You still set yourself against my people and will not let them go. Therefore, at this time tomorrow I will send the worst hailstorm that has ever fallen on Egypt, from the day it was founded till now. Give an order now to bring your livestock and everything you have in the field to a place of shelter, because the hail will fall on every man and animal that has not been brought in and is still out in the field, and they will die. […] The LORD sent thunder and hail, and lightning flashed down to the ground. So the LORD rained hail on the land of Egypt; hail fell and lightning flashed back and forth. It was the worst storm in all the land of Egypt since it had become a nation. — Exodus 9:13–24 Judgement against Nut- Egyptian goddess of the sky
8. Locusts (אַרְבֶּה): Ex. 10:1–20
This is what the LORD, the God of the Jews, says: 'How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, so that they may worship me. If you refuse to let them go, I will bring locusts into your country tomorrow. They will cover the face of the ground so that it cannot be seen. They will devour what little you have left after the hail, including every tree that is growing in your fields. They will fill your houses and those of all your officials and all the Egyptians—something neither your fathers nor your forefathers have ever seen from the day they settled in this land till now. — Exodus 10:3–6 Defeated Seth- Egyptian God of Storms and Disorder
9. Darkness for three days (חוֹשֶך): Ex. 10:21–29
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness will spread over Egypt—darkness that can be felt." So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days. No one could see anyone else or leave his place for three days. — Exodus 10:21–23 Defeated Ra the Sun god
10. Death of firstborn (מַכַּת בְּכוֹרוֹת): Ex. 11:1–12:36
Before this final plague, God commanded Moses to inform all the Israelites to mark lamb's blood above their doors on every door in which case the LORD will pass over them and not "suffer the destroyer to come into your houses and smite you" (chapter 12, v. 23).This is what the LORD says: "About midnight I will go throughout Egypt. Every firstborn son in Egypt will die, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the firstborn of the slave girl, who is at her hand mill, and all the firstborn of the cattle as well. There will be loud wailing throughout Egypt—worse than there has ever been or ever will be again." — Exodus 11:4–6 Judgement against Pharaoh himself, the ultimate authority in Egypt
After this, Pharaoh, furious, saddened, and afraid that he would be killed next, ordered the Israelites to leave, taking whatever they wanted, and asking Moses to bless him in the name of the Lord. The Israelites did not hesitate, believing that soon Pharaoh would once again change his mind, which he did; and at the end of that night Moses led them out of Egypt with "arms upraised". However, as the Jews left Egypt, the Pharaoh changed his mind again and sent his army after Moses' people. The Jews were trapped by the Red Sea. God split the sea, and the Jews were able to pass safely. As the Egyptian army descended on them, the sea closed before they could reach the Jews. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plagues_of_Egypt
isn't the text clear?
for example:
simple: so that it is established that He is God.
maybe even more clearly here:
in order to show His power and proclaim His name throughout the earth.
this theme is repeated throughout the whole of scripture - God demonstrates His power to humble the proud and to make them know that HE IS.
this is a synopsis of what Magenta neatly posted in more detail: that God did these things in order to specifically throw down all the 'gods' of Egypt and did them spectacularly and publicly so that all who heard about it would know that He is the Lord.
incidentally, later after the exodus from Egypt, we find the people on the other side of the Jordan afraid of what they have heard about Israel and the God who brought them out.
. . so for people who say, "why doesn't God show us miracles? we don't believe He is without seeing powerful signs" -- why don't these people believe what He has done in the past? what do they want, plagues and judgement? one day, that is what they will receive, if they don't repent and turn towards Him. Christ says a wicked generation is looking for a sign, but they won't get one other than the sign of Jonah.
for example:
Thus says the Lord,
“By this you shall know that I am the Lord: behold, I will strike the water that is in the Nile with the staff that is in my hand, and it will be turned to blood."
(Exodus 7:17)
“By this you shall know that I am the Lord: behold, I will strike the water that is in the Nile with the staff that is in my hand, and it will be turned to blood."
(Exodus 7:17)
simple: so that it is established that He is God.
maybe even more clearly here:
For if by now I had put forth My hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, you would then have been cut off from the earth. But, indeed, for this reason I have allowed you to remain, in order to show you My power and in order to proclaim My name through all the earth.
(Exodus 9:15-16)
(Exodus 9:15-16)
in order to show His power and proclaim His name throughout the earth.
this theme is repeated throughout the whole of scripture - God demonstrates His power to humble the proud and to make them know that HE IS.
this is a synopsis of what Magenta neatly posted in more detail: that God did these things in order to specifically throw down all the 'gods' of Egypt and did them spectacularly and publicly so that all who heard about it would know that He is the Lord.
incidentally, later after the exodus from Egypt, we find the people on the other side of the Jordan afraid of what they have heard about Israel and the God who brought them out.
. . so for people who say, "why doesn't God show us miracles? we don't believe He is without seeing powerful signs" -- why don't these people believe what He has done in the past? what do they want, plagues and judgement? one day, that is what they will receive, if they don't repent and turn towards Him. Christ says a wicked generation is looking for a sign, but they won't get one other than the sign of Jonah.
Nah, God doesn't love the wicked. Even in the new testament He doesnt, that is self-deception right there.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
I wont even bother with the countless OT passages. that say so.
Here is the way God loved the wicked, He provided a way to reconcile them back to Him, if they reject it and persist in rejecting it and refuse to repent oh well.
Also: Israel died in the wilderness precisely BECAUSE of their disobedience.
Not much has changed. Nothing new under the sun.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
I wont even bother with the countless OT passages. that say so.
Here is the way God loved the wicked, He provided a way to reconcile them back to Him, if they reject it and persist in rejecting it and refuse to repent oh well.
Also: Israel died in the wilderness precisely BECAUSE of their disobedience.
Not much has changed. Nothing new under the sun.
Ezekiel 33.10-11
[SUP]10 [/SUP]“Now as for you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus you have spoken, saying, “Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we are rotting away in them; how then can we survive?”’ [SUP]11 [/SUP]Say to them, ‘As I live!’ declares the Lord God, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?’
Show me once where Jesus despised the wicked or showed he did not love them. Pharisees do not count.
[SUP]10 [/SUP]“Now as for you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus you have spoken, saying, “Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we are rotting away in them; how then can we survive?”’ [SUP]11 [/SUP]Say to them, ‘As I live!’ declares the Lord God, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?’
Show me once where Jesus despised the wicked or showed he did not love them. Pharisees do not count.
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