What Plague Followed?
In the biblical narrative of Exodus, God sent a series of ten plagues upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery. Each plague progressively demonstrated God’s power over the Egyptian gods and Pharaoh himself. Understanding the sequence of these plagues is crucial to answering the question, “What plague followed?” after any specific event.
The Sequence of the Ten Plagues
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Water Turned to Blood (Exodus 7:14–24):
The first plague turned the waters of the Nile and all Egyptian water sources into blood. Fish died, the water became undrinkable, and the land reeked. -
Frogs (Exodus 8:1–15):
Following the plague of blood, God sent a plague of frogs, which swarmed the houses, bedrooms, and even kitchens of the Egyptians. This plague disrupted daily life and demonstrated God’s control over nature. -
Gnats or Lice (Exodus 8:16–19):
After the frogs were removed, a plague of gnats afflicted both humans and animals. The magicians of Pharaoh attempted to imitate this miracle but failed, acknowledging that this was the “finger of God.” -
Flies (Exodus 8:20–32):
The fourth plague brought swarms of flies that filled the houses of Pharaoh and his officials but spared the land of Goshen where the Israelites lived. This selective plague highlighted God’s protection of His people. -
Death of Livestock (Exodus 9:1–7):
Following the flies, a plague struck the Egyptian livestock, causing widespread death among horses, cattle, camels, sheep, and goats. The Israelites’ animals were spared, further demonstrating divine protection. -
Boils (Exodus 9:8–12):
The sixth plague afflicted humans and animals with painful boils, making life unbearable and showing that God’s judgment could affect the health of the Egyptians directly. -
Hail (Exodus 9:13–35):
After boils, God sent a devastating hailstorm that destroyed crops, livestock in the fields, and even people caught outdoors. Pharaoh initially admitted his sin but hardened his heart afterward. -
Locusts (Exodus 10:1–20):
Following the hail, locusts consumed every remaining crop and tree. This plague created severe famine and economic disruption in Egypt. Again, the Israelites were spared. -
Darkness (Exodus 10:21–29):
The ninth plague brought darkness over Egypt for three days, a physical manifestation of judgment and a symbol of spiritual blindness. The Israelites, however, had light in their dwellings. -
Death of the Firstborn (Exodus 11:1–10; 12:29–30):
The final and most severe plague was the death of the firstborn in Egypt. It was the decisive act that finally compelled Pharaoh to release the Israelites. The blood of the Passover lamb on the doorposts protected the Israelites’ firstborn.
Understanding “What Plague Followed?”
The answer depends on the context in which the question is asked. For example:
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After the plague of blood, the plague of frogs followed.
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After the plague of frogs, the plague of gnats followed.
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After the plague of hail, the plague of locusts followed.
Each plague built upon the previous, escalating the pressure on Pharaoh while showcasing God’s power and the distinction between the Egyptians and the Israelites.
The Significance of the Sequence
The sequence of plagues is not random. It demonstrates:
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Divine Strategy: Each plague targets a different aspect of Egyptian life, from water to land to animals, showing that no part of Egypt is beyond God’s control.
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Gradual Escalation: The plagues increase in severity, moving from mere inconvenience to catastrophic loss of life.
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Protection of God’s People: The Israelites are consistently spared, emphasizing God’s covenant and care.
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Moral and Spiritual Lesson: The sequence teaches that persistent resistance to God’s will leads to escalating consequences.
Conclusion
The question “What plague followed?” highlights the importance of the plagues’ order in the Exodus narrative. After each calamity, Pharaoh had the opportunity to release the Israelites, yet his repeated refusal resulted in progressively harsher judgments. Understanding the sequence—from water turning to blood, to frogs, gnats, flies, livestock death, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and finally the death of the firstborn—helps to appreciate the dramatic unfolding of God’s deliverance plan.