Moses told the Israelites to dip the hyssop branch into the sacrificial lamb's blood which had drained into the "basin" at the foot of their doors. What was this basin? How was this a forerunner of what would happen at the cross of Christ? When the firstborn died in Egypt, was it the males only, or also the females of each household? Pharoah asks Moses the "bless me also." Why did Pharoah ask this?

We have come to Passover night in Egypt, which brings death into every household, both Egyptian and Israelite. Egyptians will suffer the death of their firstborn as God's final plague expresses His wrath for what had been done to His people. The Israelites will suffer the sacrificial death of a chosen lamb which had been in their care, inside their homes, for five days. One group is devastated, and one group is delivered. We find lessons from both groups which inform our lives as Christians in the world today.

The final plague in Egypt was so significant that Moses wrote chapter 11 of Exodus to explain what it would entail. It is the only chapter during the plague narrative in which no plague actually takes place. Moses said that the first-born of every Egyptian family would perish and when it was over, the Egyptians would give silver and gold to the Israelites. Would the Egyptians believe him? Would the Israelites? There was only one way to prove it.

Moses described the plague of darkness in Egypt as a darkness you could "feel." Certainly, this was more than just the darkness of a night sky and more than the lack of natural light from the sun, or moon or stars. It also included the extinguishing of artificial light as well, no light from candles, oil lamps or torches. Some people think that God brought the darkness of hell to the land of Egypt. Whatever it was, those who experienced it suffered and struggled because of it. But in the land of Goshen where the Israelites lived, there was no darkness during these days.

The plague of locusts is certainly one of the most well-known of all the plagues of Egypt. As one of the final three plagues, it directly threatened the lives of the Egyptians. As part of this plague, God told Moses why the plagues were necessary. The answer might surprise you. And we find a foreshadowing in the resolution of the plague that hints at the final outcome for Pharaoh and his army as well.

The plague of hail in Egypt was unique. It was the only plague which caused distress for all three at the same time...the people, the land, and the livestock. This plague also marked a big change among the people. Before the hail, the Israelites had turned to Pharaoh for help and mercy. Afterwards, not only the Israelites, but the Egyptians also began to look to Moses' God for their deliverance. Hearts are changing in Egypt, except for the heart of Pharaoh, which seems to be softening, until the hail stops!

The plague of boils began from a handful of soot which had been taken from the same kilns used by Pharaoh to make bricks, sometimes without straw, by the Hebrew slaves. God took the very thing Pharaoh used to cause pain for His people and used it to bring pain upon Pharaoh's people. These boils were so painful that the pagan priests could not practice their ceremonies, so during this plague only the Lord of the Israelites was being worshipped in all the land of Egypt.

When it comes to the plaque of the livestock, the Egyptians are given a choice by the Lord. They can obey Him and bring their livestock into a stable or a barn and the livestock will be spared. But if they choose to disobey Him and leave their livestock out in the field, then their livestock will die. This is the first plague that has permanent consequences. Up until now, the plagues have been a nuisance for the Egyptians, serious be temporary. There is no coming back from this one. The Israelites, however, will not have the same problem. God has promised that their livestock will not suffer death if left in the field. By doing so, God further separates His people from Pharoah's people.