The story of the ten plagues is one of the most well-known parts of the Bible. It takes place in the book of Exodus when God sends Moses to Pharaoh with a simple message: “Let my people go.” Pharaoh, being a proud and stubborn king, refuses to listen. Each time Pharaoh hardened his heart, God sent a plague to show His power and to warn Pharaoh of the consequences of his disobedience.
The plagues started out small, almost like a warning. The first plague turned the Nile River into blood, leaving Egypt without drinking water. Then came the frogs, the lice, and the flies. At first, these plagues were more of an annoyance than anything else. But as Pharaoh continued to harden his heart, the plagues grew worse. Disease killed the livestock, boils broke out on the Egyptians’ skin, and hail destroyed their crops. Pharaoh’s refusal to listen to God didn’t just affect him—it brought suffering to the entire nation of Egypt.
The final plague, the death of the firstborn, was devastating. God warned Pharaoh time and time again, but Pharaoh stiffened his neck. In the end, Pharaoh’s pride and rebellion cost him his son, his people, and his nation’s strength. This is a reminder of what Romans 6:23 says: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Pharaoh’s story is an example of how sin works in our lives. At first, it seems small, like it’s not a big deal. But the more we resist God, the bigger the consequences become. Just like Pharaoh, when we harden our hearts, sin doesn’t just hurt us—it hurts the people around us too.
The ten plagues also show us that God is patient, but there comes a time when He will bring judgment. Pharaoh had many chances to repent, but he kept saying “no.” In our own lives, we need to remember that resisting God always comes with a price.
The good news is that Romans 6:23 doesn’t stop with the wages of sin being death. It goes on to remind us that God offers a gift: eternal life through Jesus Christ. Pharaoh rejected God’s warnings and faced destruction, but we have the chance to accept His mercy.
Let the story of the ten plagues remind us not to fight against God. Sin grows stronger the more we ignore Him, but His gift of salvation is always waiting for those who will humble themselves and obey. Don’t let pride lead you down Pharaoh’s path. Choose life instead.
