IN A NUTSHELL Pharaoh was bathing in the River Nile when Moshe and Aharon delivered their message and warning from God. Pharaoh refused to listen and so the Ten Plagues began.

First the Nile turned to blood, then millions of frogs appeared, and then all the Egyptians were affected by lice. But still Pharaoh refused to listen. So the plagues continued.

Wild animals roamed the streets, pets and farm animals died from disease, and the people suffered with boils. Each time Pharaoh became more stubborn and denied the Israelites their freedom. Vaera tells of seven terrible plagues, ending with large hailstones (containing fire), and each time, Pharaoh refused to let Moshe lead his people to freedom. But soon he would. The Exodus story had finally begun.

QUESTION TO PONDER

Why do you think God needed to send so many plagues to take the Israelites out of Egypt?