Who Is the Lord?

Exodus 7:14–18; 10:21–29

The story of the plagues in Exodus helps us understand why listening to God is so important. The plagues answer Pharaoh’s question, “Who is God, that I should listen to him?” by showing God as the one-of-a-kind, natural, and saving judge of the world. This challenges easy explanations and helps us understand deeper what it means to obey God.

1. The one-of-a-kind judge

When Pharaoh asks, “Who is God, that I should listen to him?”, he’s not saying he doesn’t believe in any gods. He believes in lots of gods, just like many people today. But the plagues in Egypt target the gods that the Egyptians worshiped, showing that God is unique and superior. This first message from the plagues emphasizes that God is the one true God. We’ll look more at this idea later.

2. The natural judge

The plagues in Exodus show nature becoming chaotic, which is very different from Genesis where God creates order and peace. They are messages from God, showing God’s power and the chaos that comes when we don’t listen to Him. It’s really important to put God first and follow His wise instructions. This is how we can live the best life and be the people we were meant to be.

3. The saving judge

The plagues in Exodus are also used to show how powerful God is, to make His name known, and to teach us about wrongdoing, salvation, and freedom. Christianity is unique in how it teaches that we are saved through grace. It tells us to be humble, respectful, and loving when we deal with different opinions. As believers, we’re encouraged to help make the world a better place by fighting against unfairness and poverty. Trusting in a fair God brings peace.