Congregational Bible Study (30 mins.) lfb lessons 20, 21.
Lesson 20 Analysis: Six More Plagues
What were the next six plagues that Jehovah sent?
The next six plagues, from the fourth to the ninth, were:
1. Horseflies (large biting flies)
2. Livestock disease (the Egyptians' animals died)
3. Painful sores (wounds on the skin of the Egyptians and their animals)
4. Hail (storm with thunder, fire and hail)
5. Locusts (they are a type of large grasshopper that ate what was left after the hail.)
6. Total darkness (three days without being able to see anything, only the Israelites had light)
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
After the first three plagues, Jehovah sent six more. First, he sent swarms of horseflies that covered the entire land and tormented the Egyptians, but not the Israelites. Next, the Egyptians' livestock died of disease, while the Israelites' animals were healed. Afterward, the Egyptians and their animals were covered with painful boils. Later, a hailstorm accompanied by fire and thunder came, destroying trees and crops.
When it seemed there could be no more destruction, Jehovah sent millions of locusts that devoured what remained of the fields. Finally, total darkness fell over Egypt for three days, so dense that the Egyptians could not move, while the Israelites' homes were light.
Why were they different from the first three plagues?
They were different because they showed Jehovah's special protection of the Israelites by not allowing the subsequent plagues to harm them. In Goshen, where the Israelites lived, none of these plagues occurred. This showed that Jehovah protected his people and had the power to control exactly who the plagues affected.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Because these six plagues affected only the Egyptians, while the first three plagues also affected everyone, including the Israelites. Beginning with the fourth plague (the horseflies), Jehovah protected his people, ensuring that the plagues did not harm them, which clearly demonstrated Jehovah's special protection of the Israelites.
The first three plagues—the water turned to blood, the frogs, and the lice—affected both Egyptians and Israelites. But beginning with the fourth plague, Jehovah made a clear distinction between his people and the Egyptians.
In Goshen, where the Israelites lived, there were no horseflies, no pestilence, no hail, no darkness. This demonstrated that Jehovah has the power to protect those who obey him, while punishing those who defy him.
What does it teach us about Jehovah?
This story teaches us that Jehovah is a God of justice and protection. Although plagues were ravaging all of Egypt, Jehovah made a clear distinction between his people and the Egyptians. While Egypt suffered, nothing was happening in Goshen.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
This story shows us that Jehovah not only has absolute power over nature, but also uses it selectively to protect those who are faithful to him.
This account highlights Jehovah's patience. Despite Pharaoh's stubbornness, Jehovah gave him several opportunities to change his attitude before imposing harsher punishments. This teaches us that Jehovah acts with balance: He is firm against evil, but at the same time He cares for and protects His servants.
What practical lessons can we learn?
We can learn that stubbornness has consequences. Pharaoh, despite seeing God's hand at work with his own eyes, continued to harden his heart. This attitude led him to ever greater suffering and to harm all his people.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We learn that we must cultivate a docile heart, willing to obey Jehovah with humility, without waiting for life to hit us with painful consequences.
We learn to trust that Jehovah protects those who serve him faithfully. Just as he made a distinction between Egypt and Goshen, he continues to distinguish those who obey him, giving them strength and peace, even in the midst of trials.
Lesson 21 Analysis: The Tenth Plague
What was the tenth plague?
The tenth plague was the death of the firstborn or eldest son of every family in Egypt, both the Pharaoh's and the sons of slaves. In every house that did not have the sign of blood on the doorpost, the firstborn died.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The tenth plague was the death of all the firstborn in Egypt, from Pharaoh's son to the slaves. The Israelites were saved because they obeyed Jehovah by putting the blood of the lamb on the doors of their houses.
On the night of the tenth plague, the Israelites were freed and left Egypt under a full moon after centuries of slavery. From then on, they celebrated Passover every year to remember how Jehovah saved them.
What did the Israelites have to do to protect themselves from that plague?
The Israelites had to do the following:
1. Kill a one-year-old lamb or goat.
2. Splatter their blood on the doorframe of their houses.
3. Roast the meat and eat it with unleavened bread.
4. Be ready to leave Egypt, dressed and with sandals on.
In this way, the angel of the Lord would pass over their houses and no firstborn Israelite would die.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
To protect themselves from the tenth plague, the Israelites had to obey a very specific instruction from Jehovah: sacrifice a lamb without blemish, roast the meat, eat it with unleavened bread, and put the blood on the doorposts of their houses. This sign would serve to warn the angel sent by God to pass by and not take the lives of their firstborn.
It wasn't enough to be part of the people of Israel. Protection depended on showing faith in Jehovah's word and acting in accordance with it. In this way, the blood of the lamb became a symbol of salvation and a reminder that exact obedience to divine instructions is what guarantees life and protection under God's hand.
What does it teach us about Jehovah?
This story teaches us that Jehovah is a God of supreme power and perfect justice. No one could resist his will, not even Pharaoh with all his might. Jehovah showed that he can humble the strongest nation and deliver his people when he chooses.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
This account shows us Jehovah's balanced justice. The angel of death did not act indiscriminately, but spared the houses that bore the mark of blood, showing that Jehovah always distinguishes between the obedient and the disobedient. He never punishes without reason; He acts with complete justice and precision.
What practical lessons can we learn?
We learn the importance of obeying Jehovah's instructions exactly. The Israelites had to apply the blood on the doorposts and eat the Passover meal the way God instructed. They couldn't invent their own method or take it lightly, because the lives of their firstborn depended on obeying them to the letter.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
In our lives, this teaches us that even though Jehovah's instructions may sometimes seem simple or repetitive, they always serve a vital purpose. Following them precisely protects us and keeps us under his care.
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