The first of the ten plagues is the turning of the Nile river in Egypt into blood. I would
venture to guess that most already know this, not just those having a religious background,
but also those of a secular upbringing. But, I would also guess that many of those same
people may not know of some wonderful connectivity between this event and ones that
took place many years later. About 1,500 years later. Furthermore even fewer may know of
the inter-workings of the original event itself.
Let’s first do some review on what took place during the first plague. Read Exodus 7, but
specifically Exodus 7: 17-21 for the background. With instructions from GOD Moses used
his staff and turned not just the Nile river into blood, but all water in Egypt. Exodus 7:19 The
LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron, 'Take your staff and stretch out your hand over the waters
of Egypt-- over the streams and canals, over the ponds and all the reservoirs'-- and they
will turn to blood. Blood will be everywhere in Egypt, even in the wooden buckets and stone
jars." Everywhere there was water it was now blood. First off, and I think everyone would
agree on this, is Yuck! Not only was there no water to drink, wash or cook with, but think of
the intense grossness of the scenery. The smell of all those dead fish, the blood lapping
on the banks of the Nile, what foul surroundings.
Why start with the Nile?
For Moses to start with the Nile as a plague was very appropriate since Moses started
his life there. The male Israelite babies were thrown into the Nile (Exodus 1:22).
Although Moses did end up in the Nile, it was by his own Mother and not by Pharaoh’s
hands.
This had two major results. First, as stated in Exodus, it helped to reduce the
overpopulation of the Hebrews, a twisted plot of pharaoh’s. The second, it would have
been a great sacrifice offered to the gods associated with the Nile. However, the life giving
Nile did not devour all given to it; it returned one of the babies. Moses, by the plan devised
by his mother, made it look like life was being given back. To the Egyptians, and
specifically Pharaoh’s daughter, it would have been interpreted as a gift from their gods.
Therefore, when Moses performs the first plague and the Nile gods’ blood spilled, the
very life given from the Nile (Moses) is the very life that kills the Nile gods. Also with all the
life that was thrown into the Nile to die, death of the Nile was a very significant first step. It
would have been a symbol of retribution for the death of the countless Hebrew babies.
Just as Moses was life (physical life) from the pagan Nile gods, Jesus was life (eternal
life) from the one true God. Moses came from the life giving water of the Nile to deliver the
Hebrew nation. Jesus was the living water given to deliver all the nations (John 4).
Why blood?
GOD could have had the Nile turn into anything. Like maple syrup, orange juice or just
simpley have it dry up. However, He chose to turn it into blood. I believe we can find several
reasons for the selection of blood. First and simplest, to change into blood would be much
more dramatic than any other liquid. Even for the non-religious, that would have been an
unforgettable sight. Furthermore, those of even the slightest of knowledge in the gods of
the land would have been distraught over the event.
The Egyptian god Osiris was the god of the underworld and the Nile believed to be his
bloodstream. Not only did the Nile give life to the desert land in a real and practical way, but
was also thought to be the visible life substance of Osiris. Changing it to blood showed the
death of Osiris, as it did the gods Hapi (spirit of the Nile) and Khnum (guardian of the Nile).
Blood also would be a key element in the tenth and final plague. Whereas blood showed
death in the first plague, in the last plague blood gave life. Blood used in the last plague
protected the Israelites from God, but blood with the first plague showed the lack of
protection by the Egyptian gods. Blood showed the imminent death of slavery and Egyptian
rule with the first plague, freedom and the birth of the nation of Israel with the tenth plague.
Blood and Wine
The fact that water turned to blood was to be the first plague is no whim or random act of
God. It was very significant in nature. Fast forward one and a half millennium and we see
in John 2:1-13, Jesus performs his first miracle. He turned water into wine, this was also
not a random act or whim of the Lord.
Why wine? Here too, He could have chosen any other liquid but it was wine not grape
juice or cough medicine and certainly not blood. For part of the answer, look at the last and
greatest miracle of Jesus. His death and resurrection. Wine plays a very intricate and
important roll here. The Passover cups were partaken during what Christians refer to as
the last supper (Passover). Jesus did not drink one of those cups at the Passover meal,
but drank it when he was on the cross. John 19:30(NIV) When he had received the drink,
Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (See also
Matt 26:42 for reference to the cup he was to drink.)
Wine, in the context of Passover (the last supper), is the representation of the blood of
Jesus. His spilled blood on the cross. It was the final cup to end His ministry on earth.
Likewise the first cup, at the wedding feast, was to start His ministry. To sanctify it with the
traditional first cup of wine. Therefore, the first miracle had to deal with wine, so as to
properly sanctify what was to come.
Signs and Redemption
Like Jesus’ first miracle, the first plague was to signify the start of something, Jesus
ministry on earth, and Moses leading the people out of Egypt. The first cup is known as the
cup of sanctification. The water to wine and the water to blood, was to be the sanctification
of Jesus and Moses and their missions that lay before them.
The first miracle of Jesus and the first plague of Moses were also foreshadowings of the
final tasks for the redemption of the people. For Moses and the Hebrews, the last plague
was the redemption found in Passover. For Jesus and all the people of the world, it was
during Passover that we can find the redemption from our sins.
Although, the first plague did not deliver the Hebrews from the Egyptians and slavery, it
was a foreshadowing of the blood that was to be spilled during the last plague, the last
and greatest plague that would deliver them. Just as the first miracle of Jesus was not a
redeeming act, it showed that redemption would come in the symbol of wine.
The wine that represents His redeeming blood.
VoydPhil - Phil-ing #7
First Plague - Blood
By Mark E. Benjamin
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