Chapter 3: The River Runs Red

God told Moses to meet Pharaoh at the river in the morning. The Egyptians worshipped the Nile as Hapi, the giver of life. Everything Egypt was, the river made possible.

MOSES“By this you shall know that I am the LORD. I will strike the waters of the river with the rod in my hand, and they shall be turned to blood.”— Exodus 7:17

Moses raised the rod and struck the water right in front of Pharaoh. Every drop in Egypt turned to blood. Pharaoh's magicians did the same thing, and Pharaoh walked back into his palace without a word.

Seven days passed.

GOD (through Moses to Pharaoh)“If you refuse to let them go, I will smite all your territory with frogs. They shall come into your house, into your bedroom, on your bed, into your ovens, and into your kneading bowls.”— Exodus 8:1-4

The frogs came. They covered everything. Heqet, the frog goddess, was sacred in Egypt — now her creatures were a plague. Pharaoh's magicians did the same thing, bringing up even more frogs. But making frogs was one thing. Removing them was beyond their power.

For the first time, Pharaoh called for Moses.

PHARAOH“Entreat the LORD that He may take away the frogs from me and from my people; and I will let the people go.”— Exodus 8:8

MOSES“Accept the honor of saying when I shall intercede for you.”

PHARAOH“Tomorrow.”

MOSES“Let it be according to your word, that you may know that there is no one like the LORD our God.”— Exodus 8:9-10

Moses prayed. The frogs died everywhere, in the houses, the courtyards, and the fields. Dead frogs piled up across the land, and the smell was unbearable. The relief came. And Pharaoh broke his promise.