"I will redeem you with a stretched out arm."--_Exodus 6:6._
THE Israelites were very unhappy, for Pharaoh was very cruel to them,
and they thought it all Moses' fault. But Moses told them that they
would be saved, and that God was going to show them His power, so
that they might always remember what He had done for them, and how He
punished Pharaoh, who would not obey Him.
[Illustration: AARON'S ROD CHANGED TO A SERPENT.--Ex. 7:10.]
Then God made His power to be known; so that Pharaoh and the children
of Israel might both learn who is the great Lord of heaven and earth,
who must be obeyed. First, Moses stretched out his rod, and all the
water in the river turned into blood. For seven days it was all one
red dreadful stream of blood; and when Moses held out his rod again it
turned back into pure water. But Pharaoh hardened his heart again, and
would not let the people go.
Then God sent a multitude of frogs, that came into all the houses and
bed-rooms, and on the tables and everywhere. Pharaoh could not bear
to have these creatures everywhere, and said if the frogs would but
go away he would let the children of Israel go. Moses prayed to God,
and all the frogs died; but Pharaoh only hardened his heart again, and
would not let the people go.
Next, God sent lice, disgusting unclean creatures, most horrible to
the Egyptians, who could not bear anything dirty; but Pharaoh did not
care. Then came swarms of flies, buzzing, stinging, and tormenting; and
Pharaoh said he would allow the Israelites to go, so the flies were
taken away; but no sooner were they gone than he went back again to his
obstinacy, and would not let the people go.
He was trying to fight against God, and so came these terrible miseries
on him. If people will not do better after being punished, worse and
worse is sure to come on them.