When Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh to ask him to let the Israelites go, he hardened his heart and told them, “No.” The Lord told Moses to ask Pharaoh again and warn him that if he did not let the people go, He would smite the Egyptians with plagues to show His power to the Egyptians and the Israelites. After each plague, Moses again asked Pharaoh to let the people go.

First the Lord turned the water to blood and all the fish died. After seven days, the Lord sent frogs to cover the land. Pharaoh told Moses that he would let the people go if he got rid of the frogs, so Moses prayed to the Lord and the frogs died. When Pharaoh saw the frogs were gone, he changed is mind and refused to let the people go. Then the Lord sent lice, then flies, and then all the Egyptians’ cattle died. Pharaoh still would not let the people go. Next the Lord caused boils to come upon the Egyptians and their animals, and then a sent terrible storm of hail and fire. The hail destroyed the crops. Still Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not let the people go. Then a plague of locusts was sent, and then thick darkness covered the land. Pharaoh’s servants begged him to let the people go. He told Moses he would let them go if he got rid of the locusts, but once they were gone Pharaoh hardened his heart again.

When the first nine plagues didn’t soften Pharaoh’s heart, God sent one last plague. The firstborn of each Egyptian household, including Pharaoh’s son died. In his grief, Pharaoh sent the Israelites out of Egypt.