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This week’s Torah portion is entitled Vaiera, meaning “And I appeared.” Adonai redeemed His people by manifesting His power to Pharaoh, the Egyptians, and their gods. He alone is the one true and living God.

Chapter six opens with a discouraged Moses. He had delivered God’s message to Pharaoh, and the result was an increase in the Israelis’ suffering. Adonai responded by reiterating His covenant and unveiling a deeper dimension of His identity. He said, “I am Adonai, and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as El Shaddai.”

El Shaddai means God Almighty, emphasizing God’s supreme power and sufficiency. He now revealed Himself to Moses and his generation more fully as Adonai—a name derived from the Hebrew root hayah (“to be”), emphasizing God’s inherent, self-existent being and His faithfulness to fulfill His covenant promises.

God reaffirmed the covenant He made with Israel through seven distinct “I will” statements. He declared that He had heard the groanings of His people in their slavery and would free them by mighty acts of judgment against Pharaoh and Egypt. Israel was His chosen people among all the nations of the earth.

When Moses delivered this message to Israel, they were crushed in spirit and unbelief. Centuries of slavery had conditioned them to think like slaves; Pharaoh seemed greater than God. At times, we too become trapped by sin and by love for this world more than for God. Moses felt inadequate and voiced his concerns, yet God commanded him to return to Pharaoh.

The chapter ends with a detailed genealogy of Aaron and Moses. Though it may appear misplaced, it establishes their legitimacy and identifies the lineage through which the priesthood would later come.

In chapter seven, Adonai knew that Pharaoh had already rejected Him. Therefore, He strengthened Pharaoh’s resolve and commanded Moses to stand in divine authority, with Aaron serving as his spokesman.

God declared that He would multiply His signs and wonders in Egypt, execute acts of judgment, rescue His people, and cause the Egyptians to know that He is Adonai.

Moses instructed Aaron to throw down his staff before Pharaoh, and it became a serpent. Pharaoh’s magicians, through occult practices, imitated the sign. However, Aaron’s staff swallowed theirs, demonstrating God’s superior power and delivering a clear message to Pharaoh – yet his heart remained hardened.

The Lord then told Moses that Pharaoh’s heart was hardened and instructed him to confront Pharaoh at the Nile. When Pharaoh again refused to release the people, the first plague struck Egypt’s waters.

At God’s command, Aaron raised his staff, and the waters of Egypt turned to blood. Fish died, and a foul stench filled the land. Although the magicians duplicated the sign, they could not reverse it, worsening Egypt’s suffering.

In chapter eight, God warned Pharaoh again, but he still refused to let Israel go. Adonai sent frogs throughout Egypt – into homes, bedrooms, and ovens. The magicians imitated this plague as well. Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and begged them to remove the frogs. Moses prayed, and the frogs died, leaving piles of rotting carcasses. Once relief came, Pharaoh hardened his heart and refused to free God’s people.

The third plague came without warning. Adonai caused lice to come from the dust of the ground, covering both people and animals. The magicians were unable to reproduce this miracle and declared, “This is the finger of God.” Yet Pharaoh still refused to listen.

Adonai then commanded Moses to meet Pharaoh early at the river and demand the release of His people. When Pharaoh refused, God sent swarms of flies throughout Egypt. However, He made a distinction between Egypt and Goshen, where His people lived.

Pharaoh attempted to compromise, promising freedom if Moses removed the plague. But once again, he lied and hardened his heart. Often, people turn to God during calamity, only to forget Him when relief comes.

In chapter nine, the severity of Pharaoh’s hardness became even clearer. The plague of pestilence struck Egypt’s livestock, while the livestock of the Israelis remained untouched. God even set a specific time for the plague, demonstrating His sovereignty. Still, Pharaoh refused to let the people go.

Next, Adonai sent a plague of painful boils upon both people and animals. Even the magicians were afflicted and could no longer stand before Moses. At this point, Scripture explicitly states that the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, whereas earlier Pharaoh had hardened his own heart.

Adonai sent these plagues to teach Pharaoh, the Egyptians, and the Israelis that there is no one like Him in all the earth.

The following day, God sent a devastating hailstorm accompanied by fire. It destroyed people, livestock, and crops throughout Egypt – everything left in the open fields. This storm was unlike anything Egypt had ever experienced. Goshen alone was spared, just as God had promised. Pharaoh pleaded with Moses to intercede, yet once the storm ceased, he again refused to release the Israelis.

Closing Thoughts

God is gracious and long-suffering, but He does not tolerate arrogance and rebellion indefinitely. Despite overwhelming evidence of God’s power, Pharaoh continued to harden his heart.

As Pharaoh resisted God, the judgments intensified. The first plagues were distressing, the next were painful, and the final judgments were deadly – moving through devastation and darkness and ultimately culminating in death.

We all possess a natural tendency toward self-reliance, but self-reliance stands opposed to biblical truth. Those who persistently and defiantly resist God may experience discipline through adversity and suffering. “Those whom the Lord loves, He disciplines.” Blessed is the one whom God reproves – it is evidence of His care. Therefore, do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. Humble yourself and obey Him.