Lessons from the Plagues: Hearing, Helping, and Walking Boldly with God
I’ve been reading through Exodus again – the story of the ten plagues. We all know how it goes: the Israelites were slaves in Egypt, Pharaoh refused to let them go, so God sent Moses and Aaron to deliver His people. God even said in advance that He would harden Pharaoh’s heart (Exodus 7:3), and ten plagues followed.
But this time, some new things stood out to me.
God Gives Specific Guidance
What amazed me is how specific God was with Moses.
“When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘Show a miracle for yourselves,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your rod and cast it before Pharaoh, and let it become a serpent.’” – Exodus 7:9 (NKJV)
And again: “Go to Pharaoh in the morning, when he goes out to the water, and you shall stand by the river’s bank to meet him; and the rod which was turned to a serpent you shall take in your hand.” – Exodus 7:15
God told Moses exactly where Pharaoh would be, exactly what Pharaoh would say, and exactly what to do in response. Remember that God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33).
But here’s my question: we often quote verses like, “The Lord will guide my footsteps” (Proverbs 16:9, Psalm 37:23) and “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). But do we really believe it? Do we believe that God can give us such specific insight today? That He can tell us where to go, what to say, and how to respond?
Or do we just follow our own heads and intuition without pausing to listen for His voice?
God Uses Helpers in Mighty Ways
The second thing I noticed was how reluctant Moses was at first. He told the Lord he wasn’t eloquent enough and asked Him to send someone else (Exodus 4:10, 13). God then appointed Aaron, his brother, as a helper.
But have you seen how significant Aaron’s role really was?
- Exodus 7:9 – “…you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your rod and cast it before Pharaoh…’”
- Exodus 7:19 – “Then the Lord spoke to Moses, ‘Say to Aaron, “Take your rod and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt…”’”
Over and over, God spoke to Moses, but it was Aaron who performed the miracles.
Most of us think of Moses as the central figure who “did everything.” Yet Aaron was instrumental – without him, Moses couldn’t have fulfilled God’s commands.
Yet, how many times do we see a helper as a negative thing?That word helper echoes elsewhere in Scripture:
- Eve was called a helper to Adam (Genesis 2:18).
- The Holy Spirit is called our Helper (John 14:16, 26).
Sometimes we despise being “in the background.” We think we’re less important if we’re not front and center. But what if your role as a helper carries eternal weight in God’s plan? What if you are just as vital, even when unseen?
God Sets Apart His People
Another detail struck me:
“Or else, if you will not let My people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies… And in that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, in order that you may know that I am the Lord in the midst of the land.”
– Exodus 8:21–22
The plagues fell on Egypt, but not on the Israelites. Why? So the Egyptians would see that the Lord is the one true God – present among His people.
The Egyptians did not worship the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They had their own gods, their own idols. But the Lord made His presence and power undeniable.
And here’s the lesson for us: how many times do we walk into places – workplaces, schools, family gatherings – where people don’t share our faith, and we shrink back? We forget Who we belong to.
But God is with us wherever we go (Deuteronomy 31:6; Matthew 28:20). When we walk into a place, we bring the Kingdom of Heaven with us (Luke 17:21). The Lord spares us from destruction, so why should we be afraid?
Even Jesus sat with sinners and tax collectors (Mark 2:15–17). If He could bring the Kingdom into “unholy” places, why should we cower? Maybe God wants to reveal His goodness to unbelievers through our boldness.
All of this just reminds me again that we need to understand our true identity in Christ. Our “I am” must align with the great “I AM” (Exodus 3:14; John 8:58).
Closing Prayer
Abba Father, we come to You with thanksgiving and praise.
Thank You that You are the One who guides us, just as You guided the sons of Issachar who understood the times and knew what Israel should do (1 Chronicles 12:32). Teach us to hear Your voice clearly – to know what to do, when to do it, and where to go.
Thank You that we don’t have to be in the spotlight to matter. That You’ve called us to be helpers who bring Your Kingdom to earth. Thank You that You are always in the midst of our situations, sparing us from destruction, walking with us wherever we go.
Lord, help us align our “I am” with Your “I AM.”
- I am a child of God (John 1:12).
- I am beloved by the Most High King (1 John 3:1).
- I am an heir of the Kingdom (Romans 8:17).
- I am protected by the blood of Jesus (Revelation 12:11).
Thank You, Lord, that You have great and miraculous plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11), and that You make all things work together for the good of those who love You (Romans 8:28).
In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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